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Request for Proposals for 2025-2026 Bass Connections Project Teams [Duke Internal Funding]

Duke University

Bass Connections brings together faculty, postdocs, graduate students, undergraduates and community partners to tackle complex societal challenges in interdisciplinary research teams. This RFP is for year-long project teams (with the option to pair a proposal with a summer Data+/Climate+ team for Summer 2025). Funding for year-long project teams typically ranges from $10,000 to $30,000. Maximum funding is $40,000, but budget requests above $30,000 must include additional justification (see budget guidelines).

For some faculty, Bass Connections provides a mechanism to pilot a new research initiative, bolster an existing project or lay the groundwork for external grant proposals. For others, Bass Connections offers an opportunity to mentor students in a small-group atmosphere and collaborate on interdisciplinary research with colleagues across the university. Bass Connections also provides a model for initiating or deepening engagement with a community organization or collaborators outside of Duke who can provide input into the construction of research questions and translate research findings into action. For more information about how faculty have benefited from leading a project, see our faculty perspectives and our faculty evaluation report .

The deadline for proposals is November 4, 2024.

Specialties

Arts & Humanities

Environmental & Life Sciences

Medical

Social Sciences

Engineering and Physical Sciences

Interdisciplinary

Medical - Clinical Science

Eligibility Requirements

Proposals may be submitted by faculty, staff, graduate/professional students, postdocs and trainees/fellows, but all projects must have at least one faculty team leader.
Individuals may propose more than one project but should not serve as a team leader on more than one project per year unless those projects each have another committed faculty co-leader. Individuals may serve as a team contributor on more than one project.
Team leaders are expected to be regularly available (i.e., not on sabbatical away from Durham or extended leave) during the academic year in which the project would take place (2024-2025), and at least one team leader is expected to attend each team meeting. We recommend that faculty notify their department chairs of their intent to apply to support departmental planning.
Teams should provide opportunities for at least five students (including both graduate/professional and undergraduate students) to participate.
Bass Connections teams are expected to meet at least weekly. During the academic year, students typically receive academic credit. Student compensation during the academic year is reserved for students in leadership roles who are not also enrolled for academic credit for the same work.
Projects typically run for either 9 or 12 months. Projects may start in Summer 2024 or Fall 2024.