University Human Resources

Benefits and Wellness

The benefits of working at Brown go beyond health coverage and retirement savings, with access to wellness programs, career development opportunities, special discounts and more.

Benefits and Wellness

The benefits of working at Brown go beyond health coverage and retirement savings, with access to wellness programs, career development opportunities, special discounts and more.

As an award-winning workplace, Brown is committed to enhancing programs and offerings to meet the needs of today’s workforce, including expanding opportunities for flexible work arrangements such as hybrid and remote work.

Brown offers exceptional benefits across a range of personal and professional needs. These include a full menu of health coverage options, employer retirement matches of up to 8-10% depending on age and years of service, and programs that support the continued education of employees and their families, among many other benefits. Whether taking on new challenges and opportunities or through training and development, you can follow a range of pathways suitable to your career aspirations and find support with work-life balance, flexible schedules and wellness.

​Brown University recognizes legal dependents as the following: current legal spouse; biological, adopted or step child(ren) up to the age of 26; child in legal guardianship up to the age of 26; and an unmarried disabled dependent of any age who falls under one of the previously listed categories and due to a mental or physical disability is unable to earn a living. The disabled dependent must have been covered under the plan prior to turning 26 and must be wholly dependent upon the employee for support and maintenance. For full details, please review the Decision Guide linked below.

Benefits Eligibility & Contribution Schedule

2025 Decision Guide

Benefits Spotlight

Brown University employees gathering to discuss employee benefits

Benefits Spotlight

Recent Benefits Announcements

 View all UHR announcements
University Human Resources

Brown U. Benefits Buzz Podcast: Season 2, Episode 5

Your cohosts, Benefits Manager April O’Malley and Asst. Director, Wellness and Benefits Programs, Jen McKay, discuss initiatives at Brown that help us focus on personal and professional goals.
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Tuition Aid Program (TAP)

Brown University's Tuition Aid Program (TAP) helps eligible faculty and staff cover undergraduate tuition costs for their dependent children attending accredited institutions full-time. Applications for the academic year 2025/2026 are now being accepted.

Effective July 1, 2025, the maximum tuition amount for the academic year 2025/2026 is up to $16,060.00 per eligible child. Please note that while the maximum tuition amount has increased 4.5% from the previous academic year, TAP increases are not guaranteed and are reviewed annually.
University Human Resources

Summer Camp Fair

In case you missed our annual Camp Fair, we would like to share the amazing camp opportunities available for your kiddos. Check out our vendor list and plan their next summer of fun.
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Retirement Plan Consultations Available

Schedule a complimentary individual consultation with a representative from TIAA or Fidelity as part of the University's Financial Tuesdays. These consultations are designed to help you put your retirement savings plan on track and better understand your investment options. Financial Tuesdays are eligible for 2025 Wellness Rewards.

Educational Benefits

Brown University employees discussing education benefits

Educational Benefits

The University provides programs to help employees attain their educational goals.

Employee Education Program

The Employee Education Program (EEP) provides eligible employees with financial assistance toward courses at Brown and other institutions.

Tuition Aid Program

Brown University offers TAP to eligible faculty and staff to provide assistance in paying costs of undergraduate degree tuition for eligible dependent child(ren) enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited institution.

Student Debt Solution Program

The University’s support for the continued education of employees and their families includes a program to help with debt management.

Employee Dependent Scholarship

Qualified employee dependents are eligible for an application fee waiver, and if admitted to a Brown summer Pre-College program, have the option of a 20% non-taxable Employee Dependent Scholarship or a 50% partially taxable Employee Dependent Scholarship (30% is taxable to the employee).

Employee Accommodation

Employees gathered together

Employee Accommodation

Brown is committed to diversity, inclusion and nondiscrimination, and supports the employment of qualified individuals with disabilities.

More about employee accommodation services

Family Resources

Brown University campus

Family Resources

University programs assist employees with caretaking and home life.

Child Care Subsidy

Employees can apply annually for a child care subsidy to help cover expenses for eligible dependents between the ages of 0 and 6.

Back-up Care

Employees have access to 24/7 back-up care for planned and unplanned caretaking needs, for both children and adults.

Adult and Elder Care

Employees have immediate access to qualified professionals who can provide appropriate care and valuable advice.

More Family Resources

Brown maintains an affiliation with child care centers in the Providence area and provides a variety of other family support services.

Health and Wellness

Man riding a bicycle through Brown University

Health and Wellness

Brown offers competitive options for medical, dental and vision coverage, and opportunities to support wellness.

Health Plans

Each of Brown University’s health plans has a national network of participating health care providers, including hospitals and laboratories and permits members to use nonparticipating providers. All plans do not exclude pre-existing conditions.

Dental Plans

Brown’s dental plan includes a network of dentists in every state throughout the United States, providing employees access to a variety of options for in-network, discounted care.

Wellness Rewards

Wellness Rewards is a voluntary incentive program designed to help employees learn more about their personal health, maintain or improve overall well-being and earn an incentive payment for participating.

Employee Assistance Program

Counseling, coaching, and support services are administered by Spring Health, Brown's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Leave of Absence

Brown University in spring

Leave of Absence

UHR can assist employees who need to request a leave of absence.

More about leaves of absence

Paid Time Off

Man entering Brown University building

Paid Time Off

Brown understands the benefits of spending time away from work and offers generous paid time off, including University-observed holidays, employee appreciation days, summer hours and a winter break at the end of the year.

Sick Time

Sick time can be used for employees as well as eligible family members.
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Winter Break

Winter Break includes non-holiday days off that do not count against an employee’s vacation time. The schedule is announced each year but typically runs from late December through early January.
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Summer Hours

During the summer, regular and fixed-term full-time staff have the benefit of working 35 hours a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, with an hour for lunch and the same pay.
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More Paid Time Off Benefits

Retirement

Retirement party at Brown University

Retirement

Brown provides retirement programs, supplemental insurance and other offerings related to financial planning.

University Plans

Brown offers retirement plans for all eligible employees, including employer contributions of up to 8% for employees under age 55 and up to 10% for employees over 55 with 10+ years of service.

Retiree Health and Dental Plans

These plans are available to all retired faculty and staff age 65 and above, as well as spouses also age 65 and above. Both include prescription drug coverage.

Voluntary Benefits

Brown University employees in the office

Voluntary Benefits

The University’s voluntary benefits include group discounts on automobile and homeowners insurance, and long-term care.

Pet Insurance

Employees can sign up for voluntary pet insurance to help cover veterinary expenses for their furry family members.

Life Insurance and AD&D

Brown University pays the full cost of basic life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance for eligible employees, who are automatically enrolled through Lincoln Financial Group.

Student Debt Solution Program

Brown and TIAA are pleased to offer Savi Student Debt Solution, a new program to assist employees and their families with managing student debt.

More Voluntary Benefits

More voluntary benefits include group discounts on automobile and homeowners insurance and supplemental individual disability insurance.

Work Life

Brown University employees seated for a presentation

Work Life

The University supports employee well-being through programs and services to assist in balancing work, personal and family commitments.

Flexible Work Assignments

Alternative work assignments provide flexibility for employees that fit with the requirements of their position.
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Housing and Relocation

For those relocating to work at Brown, there are programs to assist with this transition, including help with certain moving expenses and partnerships with local realtors and mortgage companie
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Bear Bargains

Brown employees can get discounts on everything from local shopping and dining to entertainment, phone and internet, and vehicle repair and rental.
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Career Development

Brown offers numerous pathways for employees to grow and develop as they continue on their career journey.

Navigating Your Career at Brown

Brown supports employees as they prepare to assume new or different responsibilities, develop the knowledge and competencies to perform effectively in current positions, and forge internal and external partnerships.

Leading From Where You Are

Leading From Where You Are is an eight session program to help Brown staff cultivate leadership skills within their current roles through a blend of instructor-led sessions, self-paced learning, article reviews and group discussions. Individuals apply to participate in a small cohort each year.

LinkedIn Learning

Brown employees have access to thousands of self-paced courses on technology, software, and business topics through LinkedIn.

Employee Education Program

The Employee Education Program provides eligible employees with financial assistance toward courses at Brown and other institutions.

Rosetta Stone

Brown University employees can study up to 31 languages online with Rosetta Stone.

Staff Development Day

Hosted by University Human Resources Learning, Development & Engagement and held in June, Staff Development Day offers a slate of learning opportunities for staff, including hands-on workshops, professional development, classes, lectures, discussions and community volunteering.

Global Day of Inclusion

Brown’s Global Day of Inclusion is an opportunity for staff to engage in conversations and work around diversity, equity and inclusion in their professional and personal lives.

BEAR Day

Held in the spring, BEAR Day is a series of events celebrating staff at Brown, including a speaking program and reception for all, a luncheon for staff marking their fifth, 10th and ongoing milestone anniversaries at Brown, and special recognition of individuals receiving Excellence Awards for contributions in eight categories.

For Current Employees

UHR’s Current Employees page publishes time-sensitive announcements and opportunities, and benefits-related deadlines.

For You