The Graduate School and other units throughout Duke offer many opportunities for PhD students to receive fellowships, grants, and other awards. Some of these awards offer funding to supplement your guaranteed stipend, others will make up your summer funding, while still others provide support in your sixth year and beyond. Below is a list of such awards organized by the year(s) in which students qualify. This list is not exhaustive, but rather represents the awards our students most frequently apply for.
Years 1 & 2
Summer Awards (apply in Spring)
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
The Summer Research Fellowship is guaranteed in the first and second Summers of study. However, students still must apply for it in order to receive it (see Summer Funding). Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: up to $3000 supplementary Summer research support
Due: mid February
For projects related to the Asia Pacific region. Apply through APSI website.
Provides: up to $2000 for intensive summer language study
Due: early March
For Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language. Apply through APSI website.
Year 3
Awards for the Following Academic Year (apply in Fall)
Provides: full Fall and Spring stipend support, $2000 travel allowance
Due: mid November
Departments may only nominate two students to this award. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by October 15. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: up to $4000 in domestic travel support
Due: mid November
Departments may only nominate two students to this award. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by October 15. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: up to $5000 in domestic travel support
Due: mid November
Departments may only nominate two students to this award. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by October 15. Apply through Awardspring.
Summer Awards (apply in Spring)
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
In the third year and above, the Summer Research Fellowship is competitive. The department requires all students in years 3-5 to apply (see Summer Funding). Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
The department requires all students in years 3-5 with qualifying research to apply (see Summer Funding). You may apply to this as well as the other two Summer Research Fellowships. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
The department requires all students in years 3-5 with qualifying research to apply (see Summer Funding). You may apply to this as well as the other two Summer Research Fellowships. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: up to $3000 supplementary Summer research support
Due: mid February
For projects related to the Asia Pacific region. Apply through APSI website.
Provides: up to $2000 for intensive summer language study
Due: early March
For Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language. Apply through APSI website.
Year 4
Summer Awards (apply in Spring)
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
In the third year and above, the Summer Research Fellowship is competitive. The department requires all students in years 3-5 to apply (see Summer Funding). Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
The department requires all students in years 3-5 with qualifying research to apply (see Summer Funding). You may apply to this as well as the other two Summer Research Fellowships. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
The department requires all students in years 3-5 with qualifying research to apply (see Summer Funding). You may apply to this as well as the other two Summer Research Fellowships. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: up to $3000 supplementary Summer research support
Due: mid February
For projects related to the Asia Pacific region. Apply through APSI website.
Provides: up to $2000 for intensive summer language study
Due: early March
For Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language. Apply through APSI website.
Years 5 and Beyond
Awards for the Following Academic Year (apply in Fall and Spring)
Provides: variable support, including tuition and fees, standard compensatory stipend (see link above)
Due: mid November
Recipients serve as instructor or TA for a Cultural Anthropology course, applicants in the Certificate in College Teaching program preferred. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: tuition, fees, and health insurance, full Fall and Spring stipend support (paid in non-comp)
Due: mid November
For projects related to aging and human development. Departments may only nominate two students to this award. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by October 15. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: tuition, fees, and health insurance, full Fall and Spring stipend support (paid in non-comp)
Due: mid November
For students with a demonstrated commitment to careers in teaching and education, applicants in the Preparing Future Faculty or Certificate in College Teaching program preferred. Departments may only nominate two students to this award. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by October 15. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: tuition, fees, and health insurance, full Fall and Spring stipend support (paid in non-comp)
Due: mid November
For students with an interest in and strong record of public engagement in their scholarship. Prior involvement with the Duke Forum for Scholars and Publics a plus. Departments may only nominate two students to this award. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by October 15. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: tuition, fees, and health insurance, full Fall and Spring stipend support (paid in non-comp)
Due: mid November
For all PhD students in the write-up phase of their study. Departments may only nominate two students to this award. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by October 15. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: tuition, fees, and health insurance, 12-month stipend support (paid in non-comp)
Due: mid November
For projects bridging bridges or regional studies with critical issues of racial, social, and equitable justice. Apply through Von Der Heyden Website.
Provides: standard compensatory stipend, variable tuition and fee support
Due: mid February
Students serve as instructor for Writing 120 or a writing studio consultant. Requires departmental nomination. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by January 31.
Provides: tuition, fees, and health insurance, full Fall and Spring stipend support (paid in non-comp)
Due: mid March
For students with an interest in social science research methodology. Prior involvement with the Social Science Research Institute a plus. Departments may only nominate two students to this award. If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by February 15. Apply in coordination with the DGS and your advisor (department submits the application package).
Provides: tuition, fees, and health insurance, full Fall and Spring stipend support (paid in non-comp)
Due: mid March
If you would like to apply, notify the DGS by email (CCing the DGSA) by February 15. Apply through Awardspring.
Summer Awards (apply in Spring)
Note: Students in years five and beyond also have opportunities through for summer funding through teaching their own class. Students in year five are required to teach in the summer if not otherwise funded (see Summer Funding).
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
In the third year and above, the Summer Research Fellowship is competitive. The department requires all students in years 3-5 to apply (see Summer Funding). Students in years 6 and beyond are not required to apply, but are encouraged to do so. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
The department requires all students in years 3-5 with qualifying research to apply (see Summer Funding). You may apply to this as well as the other two Summer Research Fellowships. Students in years 6 and beyond are not required to apply, but are encouraged to do so. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: full Summer stipend support
Due: mid March
The department requires all students in years 3-5 with qualifying research to apply (see Summer Funding). You may apply to this as well as the other two Summer Research Fellowships. Students in years 6 and beyond are not required to apply, but are encouraged to do so. Apply through Awardspring.
Provides: up to $3000 supplementary Summer research support
Due: mid February
For projects related to the Asia Pacific region. Apply through APSI website.