What is the difference between Childbirth Accommodation (CBA) and Parental Leave (PL)?
Childbirth Accommodation is available for full-time, registered graduate students who have recently given birth (“birth parent”). The birth parent receives up to two months of leave from academic and research work. It does not apply to adoption or to non-birth parents. Birth parents are also eligible for Parental Leave.
Parental Leave (established September 1, 2018) is available for eligible graduate students (see below) who have responsibilities for a newborn child or a child newly placed with them through adoption, foster care, or court order. It provides up to one month of leave from academic and research work.
A full-time, registered graduate student is eligible for Parental Leave per the following. They are:
- a student who has recently given birth (“birth parent”) and retains custody of the child; note that this policy effectively provides a one-month extension to Childbirth Accommodation for an eligible birth parent bringing the total accommodation to three months
- a student who is a non-birth parent with significant responsibility for the care of the newborn child(ren); this includes a non-birth parent caring for a child born by surrogacy
- a student who adopts or fosters a child under the age of 18 (or a child under the age of 23 if the child is mentally or physically disabled)
- a student who has a child under the age of 18 (or a child under the age of 23 if the child is mentally or physically disabled) placed with them pursuant to a court order.
Parental Leave must be taken within six months of the child’s birth, adoption, or placement with the student.
If each parent is an MIT graduate student during the first six months of new parenthood, then each is eligible for Parental Leave.
