Department Chair Research Accounts

The University provides a $3,000 account at the CUNY Research Foundation for every Department Chair, Graduate Center Executive Officer, and SPS Academic Director (collectively "Chairs"), effective September 1 each academic year. The account may be used to further the research, scholarship, or creative activities of the Chairs, and eligible account holders do not need to apply or compete for the funds. Account expenditures will be governed by the same guidelines as the PSC-CUNY Research Award program, and account holders are required to submit receipts for all expenditure reimbursements.

Chairs in titles or functions excluded from representation by the PSC under the collective bargaining agreement are not eligible for the accounts.

Elected Chair Rules

Effective August 1, 2025, accounts for active Chairs may accrue up to a maximum of $6,000, and will carry over each year until September 1 of the fourth academic year following the Chair's return to their underlying faculty title (or retirement). Any unexpended funds will be returned to the PSC-CUNY Research Awards Excess Fund account.

Unexpended funds from Chair accounts that were on a one-year extension prior to August 1, 2025 will be returned to the Excess Fund at the end of the extension period.

Acting, Interim, or Substitute Chair Rules

• Acting Chairs (those serving as chair when there is no duly elected chair) and Interim or Substitute Chairs (those serving as chair while an elected chair is on sabbatical or other leave) will not have unexpended funds in their accounts carry over beyond their last academic year of service as Chair. Any unexpended funds will be returned to the PSC-CUNY Research Awards Excess Fund account."