DN: Are beneficiaries in Doctoral Network projects obliged to cover the gap between the amount of the doctoral candidate’s usual salary and the amount they would receive from their health insurance during a long-term leave?

The long-term leave allowance is intended to cover statutory absences of more than 30 days, where the beneficiary is required to cover personnel costs related to the statutory absence.

The amount paid to the researcher during such a period should be defined by national employment law and not based on the beneficiary’s usual practice.

Therefore, the beneficiary should follow the law. If there is a legal obligation to maintain the usual salary, then the additional costs incurred by the beneficiary will be reimbursed. If a top-up was provided, while it was not mandatory under national law, it would not be eligible for reimbursement under the long-term leave allowance.