Step 2: Funding the Sabbatical

I still don't know for certain how much support I'll have during my sabbatical. I know that I'll have at least 3/4 of my salary and that I won't be paying income tax on that salary -- so my take-home pay should be about the same. I am still waiting to hear final word on an NIH grant and, if that comes through, then I'll be able to pay my full salary -- and still not owe any income tax! The foreign sabbatical is a great deal!

The sabbatical program at most colleges and universities provides salary for a half-year leave every seven years. Most also provide the option for a full-year sabbatical at half pay. Bucknell also provides an option for a full-year sabbatical at 3/4 pay for each of the two years. All of these options were available to me regardless of whether I obtained any grant support.

If you are a scientist, I recommend starting to apply for grants to fund your sabbatical about 4 years before your planned trip. Because most grants can cover 3 years, then even if you get the grant the first try (yeah, right!) then you'll be able to use it to pay your salary during your sabbatical year. Of course, the real reason to apply so early is to give yourself 2 or 3 chances at getting the grant. I applied for an NIH R15 grant, which is also called an Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA). This application is now in its third (and final) resubmission. Its priority score is right at the cut-off for funding, but I have to wait for the NIH to receive its budget for 08-09 to find out if it will be funded. Hopefully the NIH will receive a budget boost as part of the stimulus package. According to FASEB, "science agencies, including NIH, have a backlog of peer-reviewed, meritorious grants that they could get out to labs in a matter of weeks." Maybe I'll be a direct beneficiary of the economic stimulus!

Even without the NIH funding, I plan on taking the full year sabbatical at 3/4 pay. I was able to apply for support for my sabbatical from Bucknell and was awarded support. I believe that I was one of the few chosen to receive support because of my repeated attempts at obtaining outside funding for my work. So even though I might not get my grant, applying for it has paid off.

It would be difficult to afford a pay cut while also moving to Europe if it weren't for the Foriegn Earned Income Exclusion. If you are considering a sabbatical abroad, become familiar with Publication 54 of the IRS, the Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad. The key to getting the exclusion is to be living in a foreign country for at least 330 days during a period of 12 consecutive months. So you can't get this benefit for a half-year sabbatical. There are other factors involved and you should read Publication 54 carefully! The bottom line is that I won't have to pay income tax on up to $87,600 of income. That will pay the difference between taking a ful-year sabbatical and a half-year sabbatical!