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Shared/combined parental leave pilot initiative

Shared parental leave allows one partner to end their maternity or adoption leave and pay early and “give” the time to the other partner, enabling either parent or both to take leave more flexibly during the child’s first year.

Parents can choose to take time off together or separately. Where the leave is transferred, payment is provided by the receiving partner’s employer.  

Why we are launching a pilot initiative

We know that many postgraduate researchers (PGRs) are interested in Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and the potential benefits it can have. It can be frustrating to discover that the statutory UK government shared parental leave scheme isn’t available to you.

As a PGR funded by UKRI or the University of Leeds, your funding is provided through a studentship/scholarship rather than an employment contract—so you’re not classed as an employee under the law. Unfortunately, this means that even if your partner is employed, you won’t meet the eligibility criteria for statutory SPL.

Because of this, neither UKRI nor the University of Leeds can offer statutory SPL to funded PGRs.

That said, we recognise how important shared leave can be for families and appreciate the flexibility it offers in supporting different caregiving arrangements. That’s why we’re launching the shared/combined parental leave pilot initiative to explore what might be possible for PGRs at Leeds.

Eligibility for the pilot initiative

To be eligible:

  • You or your partner must either be pregnant or in the process of adopting a child, and assuming primary responsibility for the child’s care.
  • You receive a stipend that is fully or partly funded by a UKRI Training Grant or a University of Leeds scholarship.
  • Your partner must also either be employed or a stipend-funded PGR at the University of Leeds or another UK university.
  • You (and your partner if they are also a PGR) will need to be in the funding period at the expected time of the child’s birth or adoption placement.

Unfortunately, we’re unable to consider applications where your partner is self-employed, in line with the eligibility criteria set out in the UK government’s shared parental leave scheme.

As this is a pilot initiative, we expect to learn more about the feasibility and practicalities of the scheme as it progresses. During this exploratory phase, new eligibility criteria may emerge that were not identified at the start.

Apply for the pilot initiative

You can apply for the pilot initiative up until 30 September 2026.

To apply for the pilot initiative:

  1. Speak to your Graduate School team first, so they are aware you are planning to apply and can check whether you meet the funding eligibility criteria.
  2. Complete a short exploratory application form (Word Doc, 41KB) and email it to your Graduate School.
  3. When we receive your form, we’ll work with your school or faculty to see if they’re able to support a shared/combined parental leave arrangement (participation is optional for schools and faculties).
  4. If they agree, we’ll then contact your partner’s employer or UK university to explore whether a joint arrangement could be made.

Additional information

  • We don’t have a formal policy for a shared/combined parental leave-type scheme.
  • During the pilot initiative, we’ll draw on relevant shared parental leave frameworks (such as those used in similar schemes at other universities) and guidance on maternity/adoptive pay entitlements and timeframes. 
  • UKRI has confirmed that any costs arising from local shared leave schemes must be covered by the University and can’t be passed on to them.
  • Leeds Doctoral College will track shared/combined parental leave applications and share insights with UKRI.
  • Definition of partner: for the purposes of this initiative, partner refers to a spouse, civil partner, or someone living with you in an enduring family relationship who shares responsibility for the child. This definition excludes immediate family members such as parents, grandparents, siblings, and children.
  • If you’d like further information about the pilot initiative before you apply, please email the Doctoral College at doctoralcollege@leeds.ac.uk.
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