Starting in the 2022-2023 academic year, all Duke Ph.D. students in their five-year guaranteed funding period began receiving 12-month stipends. Students in programs that historically provided nine-month stipends are now guaranteed sources of summer funding that provide a full stipend and coverage of tuition and mandatory fees during the three summer months (June–August), starting in summer 2023.

This summer funding will come from a variety of sources, using resources from The Graduate School, the Provost’s Office, individual departments, the schools that house Ph.D. programs, and other areas of campus. This page describes how summer funding will be provided for students in each Ph.D. program.

Notes

  • Some of these funding opportunities are competitive, meaning students have to apply.
  • Some of the summer funding sources carry a service requirement (e.g., teaching assistantships, internships), just like some of the academic-year funding sources that make up part of the standard Ph.D. funding package.
  • In some cases, a student’s full summer funding may come from multiple sources that each provides partial funding for the summer. Individual schools will work with their graduate programs to ensure all students have full funding for the summer, whether from one source or multiple sources.
  • The move to guarantee that students will have summer funding should not discourage them from pursuing opportunities beyond what is provided by their programs or departments. As noted in Duke’s admission letter, Ph.D. students are expected to make good-faith efforts to apply for institutional and external scholarships and fellowships in their field. Such opportunities not only offer funding, but also strengthen students’ CVs and provide valuable experience and training. Also, some Ph.D. programs will require students to at least apply for other forms of support in order to be eligible for backstop funding in the event they do not get the opportunities they pursued.

Questions

  • Students should contact their DGS or DGSA if they have questions about departmental funding opportunities. All descriptions of departmental funding opportunities on this page are based on submissions by the departments that responded to the call for information.
  • Questions about a specific opportunity should be directed to the campus unit that is offering it.

Program-Specific Information on Summer Funding

Click on a Ph.D. program below to see how summer funding is provided for its students.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Note: All AAHVS students in years 3-5 are required to apply for at least 2 non-departmental summer funding sources. Students will document that they have met this requirement by placing a copy of their applications in a Box folder created for that purpose. Students should contact their DGS or DGSA for details about documentation.

Departmental Funding

Students who apply for but do not get funding from non-departmental sources are eligible for departmental summer support in the following forms, as long as they have applied for at least 2 non-departmental sources:

  • Summer teaching (partial summer funding): The department will have a limited number of specific courses on the schedule for both summer sessions that it is confident would get enough enrollment to run most of the time. The department will assign those courses to students who are unable to secure funding through other avenues, and based on their teaching experience. The Summer Session pays the student’s stipend, and the department will cover tuition and fees from its resources.
  • Departmental assistantship (full summer funding): Students unable to get funding through any of the Graduate School, university, or departmental options above will receive a service assistantship in the department, either in the scan lab or helping faculty with research, bibliographies, etc. If it’s the latter, whenever possible the faculty benefiting from this assistance will be expected to shoulder some of the cost from their research funds or other available funding source (e.g., grants). Assignment will depend on need and area of expertise, and will vary year-to-year.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

(The pharmacology program has been one common source of internships for biology Ph.D. students.)

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience. Students with questions about funding resources should contact Aaron Franklin, associate dean for doctoral education in the Pratt School of Engineering.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience. Students with questions about funding resources should contact Aaron Franklin, associate dean for doctoral education in the Pratt School of Engineering.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

The department may have a limited number of summer courses that graduate students can teach, but it’s dependent on enrollment. The courses also might not provide a full summer stipend.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

  • Project graduate assistant (partial summer funding): These opportunities vary in available funds and start times, and are based on the availability of grants and other soft money to support specific projects in the CMAC program's affiliated labs. Most are supplemental to primary summer research fellowships and other external funding sources.
     
  • Summer teaching (partial summer funding): Teaching opportunities are usually practice-based courses in Information Science + Studies.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

  • Faculty research assistantship (full summer funding)
  • Research Initiation Project split (full summer funding): Research Initiation Project split is offered to first-year Ph.D. students in a split with grant funds of students’ adviser. Advisers are responsible for arranging for their students’ summer funding through research assistantships and internships.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Note: The department offers a dedicated grant-writing class to help its students with applications for external funding from the Wenner-Gren Foundation, National Science Foundation, and U.S. Fulbright Program. Students apply for these in the first semester of their third year.

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Most students in this program already receive 12-month funding in years 1-5. No action is needed for those students, though they are still encouraged to seek external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Non-Departmental Funding

In situations where students do not receive summer funding from the department, they should pursue non-departmental funding. See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Nicholas School Funding

If students cannot secure summer funding via the sources mentioned above, the Nicholas School of the Environment will provide funding through its own fellowships. To request this support, students must submit summer funding information by April 1 and complete the funding request Qualtrics survey by April 11. The survey automatically emails submissions to students’ advisors to request their review and approval. The DGS, DGSA, and grant managers then work together to identify funding source. Students will be notified by May 1 on how they will receive summer funding.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

In situations where students do not receive summer funding from the department, they should pursue non-departmental funding. See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Nicholas School Funding

  • Fellowships (full summer funding): If students cannot secure summer funding via the sources mentioned above, the Nicholas School of the Environment will provide funding through its own fellowships. To request this support, students must submit summer funding information by April 1 and complete the funding request Qualtrics survey by April 11. The survey automatically emails submissions to students’ advisors to request their review and approval. The DGS, DGSA, and grant managers then work together to identify funding source. Students will be notified by May 1 on how they will receive summer funding.
  • Summer teaching (partial summer funding): The Nicholas School also provides a limited number of teaching assistantships at the Marine Lab.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships, instructor positions for summer Economics courses, or internships.

In addition to these opportunities, economics Ph.D. students have also worked for faculty from the department or other Duke schools (e.g., Fuqua, Sanford, Law). They have also been funded as graduate assistants by faculty members’ own discretionary research funds or as research assistants by sponsored projects.

Departmental Funding

Summers 3 and 4

  • Departmental fellowships for third- and fourth-year students (full summer funding): Third- and fourth-year students who apply for and do not receive The Graduate School’s competitive Summer Research Fellowships will be awarded a fully funded departmental fellowship, upon application through the department. The departmental application period opens after The Graduate School sends its award notifications for summer fellowships, and students are notified of departmental funding in April.
     
  • Summer teaching (full summer funding): Third- and fourth-year students who teach a summer course for the department will be eligible for a guaranteed fellowship in the summer after their fifth year. Students may apply through the department to teach economics summer courses during the application period, which typically begins in October, and students are notified before the start of the spring semester.

Summer 5

  • Fifth-year students must make every effort to apply for fellowship or compensatory funding from one of the sources listed above, or other sources they may know of. The Graduate School’s application period is October–November, and the departmental fellowship and summer teaching application period is October–February, with award notifications in April.
  • To be eligible for departmental backstop funding, all fifth-year students should apply for The Graduate School's Summer Research Fellowship and at least two other funding sources. Doing so will also automatically qualify students for backstop funding from Trinity (see below) if the department does not have sufficient resources to provide backstop funding.

  • Research and graduate assistantships are usually found through consultations with faculty members. By mid-April students will report summer funding plans to the DGS and program coordinator.
     
  • Students who still do not have funding in place by mid-April and have made every effort to secure funding will be offered assistance from the department (speak to DGS, program coordinator, and adviser) to find another funding source. Students who decline to accept funding sources suggested by the department may instead choose to self-fund for Summer 5. 

Students should contact their DGS or graduate program coordinator about departmental summer funding.

Note: In addition to the departmental sources above, students in economics have also worked for faculty from the department or other Duke units (Fuqua, Sanford, Law), in which case they are funded as graduate assistants by the faculty member's own discretionary research funds or funded as RAs by sponsored projects.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience. Students with questions about funding resources should contact Joel Collier, associate dean for doctoral education in the Pratt School of Engineering.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

In addition to these opportunities, English Ph.D. students have also taught summer school or worked as research assistants for individual professors, the Thompson Writing Program, or Duke University Press.

Departmental Funding

  • Summer fellowship (full summer funding)
  • Summer research assistantship (partial summer funding)

Students will need to request full or partial funding in writing and submit proof that they have applied BOTH for The Graduate School’s Summer Research Fellowship AND for at least 2 of the opportunities offered by the Provost’s Office and have either not received funding or received only partial funding.

If students receive either full or partial funding from the department, their total summer earnings may not exceed the amount of full summer funding plus $500. For 2023, that is projected to be $8,915 ($8,415 + $500).

Partial funding may come with work requirements, and full summer funding may have a departmental research assistant component.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Most students in this program already receive 12-month funding in years 1-5. No action is needed for those students, though they are still encouraged to seek external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Non-Departmental Funding

In situations where students do not receive summer funding from the department, they should pursue non-departmental funding. See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Nicholas School Funding

If students cannot secure summer funding via the sources mentioned above, the Nicholas School of the Environment will provide funding through its own fellowships. To request this support, students must submit summer funding information by April 1 and complete the funding request Qualtrics survey by April 11. The survey automatically emails submissions to students’ advisors to request their review and approval. The DGS, DGSA, and grant managers then work together to identify funding source. Students will be notified by May 1 on how they will receive summer funding.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

In situations where students do not receive summer funding from the department, they should pursue non-departmental funding. See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Nicholas School Funding

If students cannot secure summer funding via the sources mentioned above, the Nicholas School of the Environment will provide funding through its own fellowships. To request this support, students must submit summer funding information by April 1 and complete the funding request Qualtrics survey by April 11. The survey automatically emails submissions to students’ advisors to request their review and approval. The DGS, DGSA, and grant managers then work together to identify funding source. Students will be notified by May 1 on how they will receive summer funding.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

  • Summer teaching (partial summer funding)

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School as specified in their offer letter from the Carolina-Duke Graduate Program in German Studies for the summers after each of their first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

Students are required to apply for both Duke's competitive Summer Research Fellowship and the UNC Summer Research Fellowship to be eligible for backstop funding.  See a partial list of additional non-departmental funding offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as external fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

  • Duke in Berlin summer program (partial summer funding)
  • Summer teaching assistantships at Duke and UNC (partial summer funding)
  • Duke Language Corridor Advisor, UNC grader, and similar opportunities (offered throughout the year but equivalent to partial summer funding)

Students should contact their DGS about departmental funding beyond the 9-month stipend.  Departmental funding and hence the prerequisites for backstop funding may vary from year to year in accordance with the agreement between Duke and UNC.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for the Summer Research Fellowships from both Duke and UNC and have been willing to fulfill service roles mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.  Backstop funding may include a service obligation to the department.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

History Ph.D. students have historically also obtained funding by teaching Duke Summer School sessions.

Departmental Funding

The department plans to offer a small number of summer research fellowships that offer the same full summer funding as The Graduate School’s summer research fellowships and do not come with service requirements.

The application deadline for these departmental fellowships will be in mid-March. To be eligible, students must have applied for but did not receive a Graduate School summer research fellowship. Students who secure full summer funding by teaching in the summer or getting a Provost’s internship are not eligible for the departmental summer research fellowships.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Most students in this program already receive 12-month funding in years 1-5. No action is needed for those students, though they are still encouraged to seek external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Non-Departmental Funding

In situations where students do not receive summer funding from the department, they should pursue non-departmental funding. See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Nicholas School Funding

  • Fellowships: If students cannot secure summer funding via the sources mentioned above, the Nicholas School of the Environment will provide funding through its own fellowships. To request this support, students must submit summer funding information by April 1 and complete the funding request Qualtrics survey by April 11. The survey automatically emails submissions to students’ advisors to request their review and approval. The DGS, DGSA, and grant managers then work together to identify funding source. Students will be notified by May 1 on how they will receive summer funding.
  • Summer teaching (partial summer funding): The Nicholas School also provides a limited number of teaching assistantships at the Marine Lab.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience. Students with questions about funding resources should contact Aaron Franklin, associate dean for doctoral education in the Pratt School of Engineering.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience. Students with questions about funding resources should contact Aaron Franklin, associate dean for doctoral education in the Pratt School of Engineering.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

  • Summer teaching (partial summer funding): The department may have limited summer teaching opportunities, for which most often Ph.D. students in the Composition track have had the requisite training. Around November or December, the department chair and director of undergraduate studies ask particular students if they would like to be considered for teaching opportunities in the following summer.
  • Commissions for music composition (partial summer funding)

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least two forms of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships. In particular, nursing students have obtained fellowships through the Margolis Policy Center and the Duke Global Health Institute.

Departmental Funding

  • Teaching or research assistantships (full summer funding): Students interested in a TA or RA opportunity should contact the Ph.D. Program Office (Cynthia Hoglen and Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda). They can also explore opportunities through their advisor. Faculty interested in working with doctoral students for TA and RA-ships should also reach out to the program office for support in advertising and identifying potential students. Opportunities are explored on an individual/case-by-case basis.
  • F-31/NRSA NIH Fellowship (full summer support)

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

All Ph.D. students in years 1-5 receive full summer financial support from the program, though they are still expected to make good-faith efforts to seek institutional and external opportunities that could provide funding and valuable experience.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

  • Graduate mentor for Psychology VIP (partial summer funding): Students at all levels of graduate study may apply to be graduate mentors for undergraduate researchers in the Psychology Vertical Integration Program. The application window varies, but typically comprises a few weeks between January and April. Graduate students apply by adding themselves to the applications of undergraduates to commit to serve as mentors. The stipend for VIP graduate mentors has been $2,200 in the past several years.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Romance studies students have also found funding through teaching summer session language courses or from campus units such as the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies; the Duke Brazil Initiative; Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies; and the Franklin Humanities Institute.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

  • Multilingual Writing Center internship (partial summer funding): The Course Development and Multilingual Writing Center opportunities follow the timing and application procedures established by the Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Affairs.
  • Research assistantship for faculty research (partial summer funding): Faculty research opportunities are announced by individual faculty by the end of spring semester each year and are paid at the standard hourly rate.
  • Center for French and Francophone Studies Fellowship (partial summer funding): The Center for French and Francophone Fellowship receives applications, and the recipient is announced in the spring.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

  • Summer teaching (partial summer funding): Students in year 3+ with a master’s in sociology who did not receive a Graduate School Summer Research Fellowship may apply to the DGSA for a summer teaching position.

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Students in years 1-2 of their study are guaranteed a Summer Research Fellowship from The Graduate School for the summers after each of those first two years. They will receive a notification from The Graduate School around the start of March to submit a short proposal about their upcoming summer plans.

Students in years 3-5 who are not supported by funds from an external source, their advisor, or the Ph.D. program for the summer should seek funding from the following sources.

Non-Departmental Funding

See a partial list of non-departmental sources offered by Duke. Students are also encouraged to pursue other opportunities at or outside Duke, such as fellowships or internships.

Departmental Funding

Students should contact their DGS or DGSA about departmental summer funding.

Backstop Funding from Trinity

For students who are unsuccessful in obtaining summer funding from any of the sources mentioned above, funds from the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences will be used to provide stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Students must have applied for at least one form of summer support mentioned above to be eligible for this backstop funding.

To request backstop funding from Trinity, students should contact their DGS.

Non-Departmental Summer Funding Opportunities at Duke

This is a partial list of available opportunities across Duke. It will be updated as we learn of more opportunities. Duke units who wish to have their summer funding opportunities listed here should contact gradschool@duke.edu.

Duke Opportunities

Full or Partial Summer Funding

Typical Application Period

von der Heyden Global Fellowships12-month fellowships; funding begins in JunePh.D. candidates with all field work completed apply in early October to mid-November; notification in mid-December

Summer Research Fellowship for Third-Year Ph.D. Students and Beyond

Full

Apply in early October to mid-November; notification in mid-January

Summer Research Fellowship for Research on Racism and Systemic Inequalities

Full

Apply in early October to mid November; notification in mid-January

Summer Research Fellowship for Research on Women or Girls of Color

Full

Apply in early October to mid November; notification in mid-January

Summer Research Fellowship for Students in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences for Third-Year Ph.D. Students and Beyond

Full

Apply in early October to mid November; notification in mid-January

Summer Research Fellowship for Students in the Physical Sciences and Engineering for Third-Year Ph.D. Students and Beyond

Full

Apply in early October to mid November; notification in mid-January

Summer Internship Fellowships (SIF)

12 weeks

Cycle 1: Apply in early October to mid-November

Cycle 2: Apply in mid-February to mid-March

Bass Connections

Partial

Apply in February; notification in March; some positions remain open longer

Story+

Partial

"On pause" for summer 2024; check webpage for updates

Data+

Partial

Apply in February; notification in March; some positions remain open longer

Franklin Humanities Institute Labs and InitiativesPartialOpportunities vary; application processes typically in Spring semester, with February or March deadlines. Contact christina.chia@duke.edu for more information
Community-Engaged Research Internships 12 weeks,
8 weeks, or
6 weeks
Application deadline in early March
FHI Stuart Hall Archive Project Summer Research FellowshipPartialApplication deadline in mid-March
Center for Computational ThinkingFullApplication deadline in late March