Submit A Student-Faculty Engagement Grant Application
Before beginning your application, please review the information below. It includes important details about the grant program-- who can apply, funding and support, the application and review process, and what you'll need to have prepared before submitting your application.
About the Grant Program
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the Fall 2026 pilot. Applications should be submitted at least three weeks before the proposed activity date.
Student-Faculty relationships are an important part of the undergraduate experience. The Student-Faculty Engagement Grant Program supports faculty in creating intentional opportunities for connection beyond traditional classroom settings.
This grant is intended to support new or expanded opportunities for meaningful student-faculty engagement.
This pilot program is designed to support experiences that:
- Foster meaningful student-faculty relationships
- Encourage conversation and intellectual curiosity
- Create opportunities for community-building
- Help students and faculty connect through shared interests and experiences
As a pilot initiative, this semester's program will help us better understand faculty interest, student engagement opportunities, and future growth opportunities.
Program Guidelines & Eligibility
Proposed activities must:
- Be intended for Duke undergraduate students
- Take place outside of current or future credit-bearing courses
- Be separate from require Faculty-in-Residence or Faculty Fellow programming
- Create meaningful opportunities for faculty-student engagements, conversation, or relationship-building
- Not supplement or replace an existing academic program, course, departmental program, or required co-curricular activity
Additional guidelines:
- Activities may be a one-time experience or a multi-session opportunities
- A recommended faculty-to-student ratio is approximately 1 faculty member per 10-15 undergraduate students
- Funding requests should generally not exceed $100 per undergraduate student participant
- Applications should be submitted at least three week prior to the proposed activity date
Who Can Apply?
Faculty applicants
Duke faculty members may apply to support an engagement experience with undergraduate students.
Student Applicants
Duke undergraduate students may submit a proposal if they have discussed the proposed activity with a Duke faculty member who has agreed to participate.
Before You Apply
The application takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The application will ask you to provide information about your proposed activity, including:
- Activity title
- Brief description of the proposed activity
- Description of how the experience will support meaningful student-faculty engagement
- Intended undergraduate student audience
- Estimated number of student participants
- Recommended faculty-to-student ratio: at least 1 faculty member per 10-15 undergraduate students. Proposals with different ratios may be considered with additional context provided.
- Estimated number of faculty participants
- How students will be recruited or invited to participate
- Is the activity a one-time or multi-session activity
- Proposed activity date(s)
- Proposed location(s)
- Transportation needs, if applicable
- Anticipated administrative support needs
- Total amount of funding requested
- Estimated budget breakdown
- Provide an estimated budget breakdown of the costs associated with your proposed activity. Included each anticipated expense and the estimated cost.
- Additional funding sources or contributions, if applicable
- Please describe the additional funding source(s) that will support the activity. Include the funding source, amount (if known), and what expenses it will cover.
- Optional Supporting Materials (not required)
Please acknowledge the following:
- I understand that funding is not guaranteed.
- If selected, I agree to use the funds only for the approved purpose.
- I agree to complete the post-event report that may include a brief reflection of the activity, feedback, and photos.
- I understand this is a pilot program and requirements may evolve based on program assessment.
What Types of Activities Can Be Supported?
Examples may include:
- Classroom reunion dinners
- Faculty-hosted coffee conversations or discussion groups
- Book discussions
- Duke Arts experiences
- Duke Outdoor Recreation experiences
- Cooking, crafting, music, or hobby-based gatherings
- Other creative experiences that bring faculty and students together
These examples are intended to inspire ideas and are not an exhaustive list.
Funding & Support
Grant funding may support expenses directly related to the proposed engagement experience including:
- Food and refreshments
- Supplies or materials
- Transportation
- Admission fees or activity-related expenses
Applicants will be asked to identify any additional funding sources and describe any administrative support needed.
The Student-Faculty Engagement Office may provide support as needed based on the scope of the proposed activity.
Application & Review Process
- Submit an Application
- Application Review
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the Fall Pilot.
- Proposals will be reviewed based on:
- Alignment with program goals
- Potential for meaningful student-faculty engagement
- Feasibility of implementation
- Budget considerations
- Implement the Experience
- Approved applicants will receive the next steps regarding funding, planning, and implementation.
- Shared Outcomes
- Grant recipients will submit a brief follow-up reflection after the activity to help assess the impact of the program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. Undergraduate students may submit proposals if they have already discussed the activity with a Duke faculty member who has agreed to participate.
Yes. Activities such as classroom reunions are eligible as long as they occur outside a current or future credit-bearing course.
This grant is intended to support new or expanded opportunities for student-faculty engagement. Funding is not intended to supplement or replace existing academic programs, courses, departmental programs, or required co-curricular activities.
Yes. Both one-time experiences and multi-session opportunities may be considered.
Yes. Applicants should disclose any additional funding sources or contributions in their application.
Funding requests should generally not exceed $100 per undergraduate student participant. Requests will be reviewed based on the proposed activity, number of participants, and available pilot funding.
Applications should be submitted at least three weeks before the proposed activity date to allow sufficient time for review and planning.
Grant recipients will submit a brief follow-up reflection sharing feedback and photos.
Questions?
For questions about the Student-Faculty Engagement Grant Program, please contact the Student-Faculty Engagement Office (fsengagement@duke.edu)