Submission Deadline: Duke Graduate Research Fair

The Duke University Graduate School is excited to invite our current Ph.D. and Master's students to present their ongoing research at the 100 Years of Innovation: Duke Graduate Research Fair, occurring during Duke's Homecoming celebrations on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

This Duke Graduate School Centennial event is a unique opportunity for students to present their ongoing research to the broader Duke community of students, alumni, and non-specialists. You’ll be able to practice a vital skill: explaining your work clearly, accurately, and compellingly to those outside your field.

Presentations will also be judged by a panel, with prizes awarded to 1st ($500), 2nd ($300), and 3rd place ($100).

Unlike a traditional academic poster session, the 100 Years of Innovation: Duke Graduate Research Fair will ask students to create a public-facing research display that is visually engaging, easy to navigate, and designed to spark conversation with a broad Duke audience. Presenters should think of this as a research poster reimagined for curious non-specialists: grounded in scholarly work, but focused on clarity, relevance, and impact.

As presentation space is limited, please complete this form by 5:00 p.m. ET Sunday, August 30, 2026, for your research to be considered for the Research Fair. Selected presentations will adhere to the guidelines below and will be chosen from an array of disciplines.
 

What we’re looking for:

Strong proposals will describe research that can be presented in a way that is:
 

• Accessible:  You should be able to communicate your research to a diverse audience of those outside your discipline, of any age or background, to help them understand the central question, approach, and significance of your work.
• Engaging:  This is not a standard academic poster. We encourage you to use engaging visuals, examples, metaphors, data, images, activities, or storytelling to help your audience connect with your research.
• Ongoing:  Your subject material should already be well beyond the question and research/testing phases, and it may have already been published professionally in 2026.
• Relevant:  Your presentation should focus on communicating the importance and value of your research. What problem does it address? What new understanding does it create? How will your research impact the next 100 years at Duke and beyond?
• Conversation-ready: The best displays will invite questions. Presenters should be prepared to explain their work in plain language and adapt their explanation for visitors with different backgrounds.
  
  Approved presenters will be afforded with the opportunity to request a blank trifold display board at no cost. Presenters seeking to have posters professionally printed may wish to inquire about resources available within their academic departments or seek third-party printing through FedEx or phdposter.com.

Centennial Events, Event, Master's, Ph.D., PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, PhD in Engineering, PhD in Humanities, PhD in Physical Sciences, PhD in Social Sciences, Professional Development