Buying Out Released Time

Buying Out Released Time

Under some circumstances, it may be possible to include funds in a grant budget to pay for released time. Faculty who wish to do so must consult with the department chair as well as the dean of faculty early in the grant conceptualization and writing process so the chair and dean may assess the impact of a course release on department and college curriculum. The primary factors in deciding whether or not to allow inclusion of requests for released time in grant applications are the ability of the department to find a replacement if a replacement is authorized and/or the impact of losing a course in the department/college curriculum. The following guidelines apply:

1. Having a course release does not reduce obligations in advising, committee service, or chairing departments and programs.
2. In order to ensure continuity in the curriculum and equity in course loads, no more than three years out of a five-year period may include grant-funded released time for a given faculty member.
3. It is expected that faculty with course releases will mentor more research students. Wherever possible, funds to pay for student research assistants should be built into the grant budget.
4. Faculty compensation for the purpose of the proposal is computed at 25% of the faculty member’s annual salary per course, plus benefits.
5. As a reminder, time during the academic year is charged at the full academic year fringe rate.  It does not use the 9% “summer month” rate.