Duke University has opened applications for its DST Launch Request for Proposals (RFP) 2026–2027, providing funding to support innovative interdisciplinary research projects led by faculty members across multiple academic disciplines. The program aims to stimulate collaborative research, particularly projects that advance science and technology while positioning teams to secure future external funding.
Through grants of up to USD 100,000, Duke University seeks to empower researchers to develop high-impact ideas that address complex challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the Duke DST Launch Research Grants
The Duke DST Launch Research Grants are administered through the Duke Office for Research & Innovation to encourage faculty from different schools and disciplines to initiate collaborative research projects with significant scientific and societal impact.
The programme prioritizes early-stage interdisciplinary projects that have strong potential to generate future external research funding while fostering innovative partnerships across the university.
Grant Benefits
Successful project teams may receive numerous benefits, including:
- Funding of up to USD 100,000.
- Support for interdisciplinary research projects.
- Opportunity to develop high-impact scientific research.
- Funding to generate preliminary data for larger grants.
- Increased competitiveness for future external funding.
- Support for collaborative research across different schools.
- Flexibility to request funding based on actual project needs.
- Opportunity to strengthen long-term research partnerships.
- Institutional support from Duke University.
Funding Amount
Project teams may request:
- Up to USD 100,000 per project.
Applicants are not required to request the maximum amount, and budgets should reflect the actual costs needed to complete the proposed research.
Funds are expected to be fully expended by 1 November 2027.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants must:
- Include at least two Duke University faculty members serving as Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs).
- Hold primary faculty appointments in different Duke schools or different divisions within Trinity College.
- Develop an interdisciplinary collaborative project.
- Strongly encourage collaboration involving science and technology.
Not Eligible
The following faculty members are not eligible:
- Faculty with primary appointments at Duke-NUS.
- Faculty with primary appointments at Duke Kunshan University.
Allowable Expenses
Grant funding may be used for:
- Faculty salary and stipends.
- Student salaries.
- Postdoctoral researchers.
- Project managers.
- Research technicians.
- Participant compensation.
- Fringe benefits.
- Tuition remission.
- Equipment purchases.
- Research travel.
- Laboratory consumables and research supplies.
Funding cannot be used to support collaborators outside Duke University.
Proposal Requirements
Applications should include:
Applicant Information
- Project title.
- Principal Investigator (PI).
- Co-Principal Investigators.
- Department and school.
- Faculty appointment details.
- Five research keywords.
Project Description
Applicants should submit a project description of up to two pages explaining:
- The proposed research project.
- Potential future funding sources.
- Why the project is difficult to support through other funding mechanisms.
- A one-year plan demonstrating substantial progress.
Formatting requirements include:
- Letter-sized paper (8.5 × 11 inches).
- Minimum 0.5-inch margins.
- Minimum 11-point font.
- Recommended fonts include Arial, Georgia, Helvetica, or Palatino Linotype.
CV or Biosketch
Each PI should provide:
- A CV or NIH-style biosketch.
- Maximum five pages.
- Date of first tenure-track appointment.
- Current research funding and scholarly support.
Review Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by Duke faculty reviewers and senior academic leaders based on:
- Responsiveness to the Request for Applications.
- Creativity and innovation.
- Scientific merit.
- Potential project impact.
- Likelihood of securing future external funding.
Because reviewers may come from different disciplines, proposals should be written for a broad scientific audience.
Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants will submit an End-of-Year Report covering:
- Project progress.
- Major accomplishments.
- Challenges encountered.
- Changes to project objectives.
- Budget expenditures.
Recipients may also be asked to provide updates regarding:
- External grants obtained.
- Publications.
- Books.
- Other scholarly outputs resulting from the award.
Researchers may request a No-Cost Extension (NCE), subject to approval by the Duke Office for Research & Innovation.
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| RFP Released | 2 March 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 3 April 2026 |
| Anticipated Grant Notification | 15 September 2026 |
| Funds Available | 30 October 2026 |
| Funds Must Be Spent By | 1 November 2027 |
Applications close on 3 April 2026 at 11:59 PM.
How to Apply
Interested faculty members should:
- Visit the Duke MyResearchProposal application portal.
- Create a new account or log into an existing account.
- Submit the proposal under the Principal Investigator’s name.
- Enter the access code “LAUNCH”.
- Upload all required proposal documents.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to review the official user guide before beginning their submission.
Why Apply?
The Duke DST Launch Research Grants provide an outstanding opportunity for researchers to establish new interdisciplinary collaborations, generate preliminary research findings, and strengthen their competitiveness for larger national and international funding opportunities.
The programme is particularly valuable for faculty seeking to develop transformative research ideas that bridge multiple disciplines and contribute to scientific and technological innovation.
Conclusion
The Duke University Research Grants 2027 represent a significant investment in interdisciplinary research and innovation. By supporting collaborative projects with funding of up to USD 100,000, Duke University is helping researchers develop ambitious ideas that can lead to future discoveries, external grants, and long-term academic impact.
Faculty members with innovative cross-disciplinary research proposals are encouraged to prepare their applications and submit them before the published deadline.
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