Changes to PI

Scope: This policy applies to all Research Ireland Grant holders1 named on a Grant, as per the Letter of Offer.  

The policy: Sabbatical leave is an arrangement that will have been agreed between an employee and their respective employer concerning a period of extended leave from work. Where an individual is named on an individual-led or multiple investigator-led Grant, as per the Letter of Offer, i.e., they are a Research Ireland Grant holder, there are strict conditions attached to managing a Grant when taking sabbatical leave. The Grant holder is required to notify Research Ireland in advance of the proposed period of leave and provide a detailed management plan describing how the Research Ireland Grant will be managed during the leave period. 

Who should notify Research Ireland: In the first instance, the Research Body must ensure that it, or the Grant holder (as per the Letter of Offer) on its behalf, notifies Research Ireland in writing in respect of the proposed Sabbatical, promptly and, in any event, within thirty days of formal approval having been granted to take such leave. Failure to comply with this policy in full, may result in the suspension and possible termination of the Grant.  

The process: This sabbatical management plan will typically be submitted by email to the relevant Programme Manager within Research Ireland and/or Programme Call email address. The proposed sabbatical management plan2 must include details on each of the following or explain why these details are not required: 

1. Timelines of the proposed sabbatical. 
2. The individual who will be appointed to manage the Grant ‘on the ground’ in the absence of the Grant holder (as per the Letter of Offer) who is taking the sabbatical leave3. 
3. How postgraduate students will continue to be effectively mentored and other team members managed during the period of leave. 
4. A revised workplan for the research programme for the remainder of the Grant (including staffing arrangements, budgets, etc.), 4 from the date the sabbatical leave is taken. 
5. A statement of understanding and compliance with Research Ireland’s Grant General Terms and Conditions from the individual who will be appointed to manage the Grant.  
6. Any other relevant information to support the request. 

What happens next: Once the required documentation providing sufficient detail has been submitted, the relevant Research Ireland personnel will review the Sabbatical Management Plan provided.  Clarification will be sought from the Grant holder(s)/Research Body where required. Research Ireland will make every effort to reach a decision in a timely manner. As detailed above, any proposed change to the status of a PI or co-PI must be approved by Research Ireland in advance of it taking effect. 

Additional information: This policy does not relate to maternity, paternity or adoptive leave. Details pertaining to these leave types are outlined in a separate policy Research Ireland’s Maternity, Paternity, and Adoptive Leave Policy. For further clarity on notification requirements, please refer to Research Ireland’s Grant General Terms and Conditions. If there are any queries relating to the interpretation of this policy, please contact researchpolicy@researchireland.ie and you will receive a response within 5 working days. 

Scope: This policy applies to all Research Ireland Grant holders1 named on a Grant, as per the Letter of Offer.  

The policy: Sabbatical leave is an arrangement that will have been agreed between an employee and their respective employer concerning a period of extended leave from work. Where an individual is named on an individual-led or multiple investigator-led Grant, as per the Letter of Offer, i.e., they are a Research Ireland Grant holder, there are strict conditions attached to managing a Grant when taking sabbatical leave. The Grant holder is required to notify Research Ireland in advance of the proposed period of leave and provide a detailed management plan describing how the Research Ireland Grant will be managed during the leave period. 

Who should notify Research Ireland: In the first instance, the Research Body must ensure that it, or the Grant holder (as per the Letter of Offer) on its behalf, notifies Research Ireland in writing in respect of the proposed Sabbatical, promptly and, in any event, within thirty days of formal approval having been granted to take such leave. Failure to comply with this policy in full, may result in the suspension and possible termination of the Grant.  

The process: This sabbatical management plan will typically be submitted by email to the relevant Programme Manager within Research Ireland and/or Programme Call email address. The proposed sabbatical management plan2 must include details on each of the following or explain why these details are not required: 

1. Timelines of the proposed sabbatical. 
2. The individual who will be appointed to manage the Grant ‘on the ground’ in the absence of the Grant holder (as per the Letter of Offer) who is taking the sabbatical leave3. 
3. How postgraduate students will continue to be effectively mentored and other team members managed during the period of leave. 
4. A revised workplan for the research programme for the remainder of the Grant (including staffing arrangements, budgets, etc.), 4 from the date the sabbatical leave is taken. 
5. A statement of understanding and compliance with Research Ireland’s Grant General Terms and Conditions from the individual who will be appointed to manage the Grant.  
6. Any other relevant information to support the request. 

What happens next: Once the required documentation providing sufficient detail has been submitted, the relevant Research Ireland personnel will review the Sabbatical Management Plan provided.  Clarification will be sought from the Grant holder(s)/Research Body where required. Research Ireland will make every effort to reach a decision in a timely manner. As detailed above, any proposed change to the status of a PI or co-PI must be approved by Research Ireland in advance of it taking effect. 

Additional information: This policy does not relate to maternity, paternity or adoptive leave. Details pertaining to these leave types are outlined in a separate policy Research Ireland’s Maternity, Paternity, and Adoptive Leave Policy. For further clarity on notification requirements, please refer to Research Ireland’s Grant General Terms and Conditions. If there are any queries relating to the interpretation of this policy, please contact researchpolicy@researchireland.ie and you will receive a response within 5 working days.