MIT offers a benefit that may be used to reimburse costs associated with child care for infants and children under age 13, including day care, emergency care, nannies and day camps. Reimbursements can be made for licensed caregivers only.
Postdoctoral associates are able to apply for the Institute's Portable Child Care Subsidy during Benefits Open Enrollment. A separate program for postdoctoral fellows, modeled closely on the Institute-wide subsidy program, is administered by the Office of the Vice President for Research. Please apply to the relevant program (see below) according to your primary appointment title, Postdoctoral Associate or Postdoctoral Fellow. If you are not sure of your primary appointment, ask your key administrative contact in your DLC or postdocservices@mit.edu.
Both programs follow the eligibility guidelines (household and income) set by MIT Human Resources. For example, eligibility for the subsidy is based on household income and the number of children under the age of 13. In addition, eligibility depends on the spouse/partner working at least 20 hours outside the home, being a full-time student, or having a disability. Subsidies to eligible postdocs may range from $3,000 to $10,000 per year, depending on income and family size. Please note that for postdoctoral fellows, the entire amount of the benefit will be taxable.
Postdoctoral Associates – PCCS Program
Only apply to this program if your primary MIT title is Postdoctoral Associate or Senior Postdoctoral Associate.
MIT Human Resources is administering the Portable Child Care Subsidy program for employees (PCCS), including Postdoc Associates as part of Benefits Open Enrollment. Apply through your individual open enrollment portal at atlas.mit.edu. More information about the PCCS, including eligibility and a benefit determination calculator, can be found on HR’s PCCS page. For questions about the PCCS Program, contact MIT Benefits.
Postdoctoral Fellows – PCCS-PDF Program
For the 2024 subsidy, apply by December 31, 2023, using this form. Only apply to this program if your primary MIT title is Postdoctoral Fellow or Senior Postdoctoral Fellow.
The Office of the Vice President for Research is administering the Portable Child Care Subsidy Program for Postdoctoral Fellows (PCCS-PDF). Although the application and reimbursement process are separate from the employee program, the eligibility and benefits determination follow the same requirements, and may be reviewed on HR’s PCCS page. For questions about the PCCS-PDF program contact MIT Postdoctoral Services.