Why Research at Duke Stands Apart

Duke University is a world-class research institution, spending hundreds of millions of dollars on research annually across medicine, engineering, social sciences, environmental studies, and the humanities. What makes Duke particularly distinctive is its strong commitment to involving undergraduates in that research — not just as passive observers, but as active contributors alongside faculty and graduate students.

For students interested in graduate school, medicine, public policy, or innovation, undergraduate research at Duke is one of the most valuable experiences available.

Key Research Programs for Undergraduates

1. Bass Connections

Bass Connections is Duke's signature interdisciplinary research program, connecting students with faculty, graduate students, and community partners on real-world problem-solving projects. Teams typically work together for one or two semesters on topics ranging from global health and neuroscience to energy access and social justice. Students earn course credit and gain experience working on complex, team-based research challenges.

2. Duke Undergraduate Research Support Office (DURSO)

DURSO serves as a central hub connecting undergraduates with research opportunities across the university. Services include:

  • A searchable database of faculty research openings
  • Guidance on writing research proposals
  • Information on internal funding opportunities
  • Support for presenting research at conferences

3. Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Duke offers several competitive funding programs for students pursuing independent research:

  • Venable Fellowship: Supports independent research projects for Trinity College students.
  • Pratt Research Fellows: For engineering students who want to conduct extended independent research with a faculty mentor.
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Scholars: Supports undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing biomedical research.
  • NSF REU Programs: Duke hosts National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates in several fields, including environmental science and neuroscience.

4. Duke Immersive Scholars

This program supports students who want to dedicate a full semester to research in lieu of traditional coursework, allowing for deep immersion in a single project or question.

How to Find a Research Position

Getting into a lab or research project as an undergrad can feel daunting. Here's a practical approach:

  1. Start early: Many students begin seeking research in their first year. Early engagement gives you more time to develop skills and relationships.
  2. Browse faculty profiles: Duke's departmental websites list faculty research interests. Find professors whose work genuinely excites you.
  3. Send a tailored email: Introduce yourself, reference specific aspects of the professor's work, and ask about openings. Be concise and professional.
  4. Attend info sessions: Bass Connections, DURSO, and individual departments hold information sessions, especially at the start of each semester.
  5. Talk to your advisor: Academic advisors often know which faculty are actively seeking research assistants.

Duke's Major Research Institutes and Centers

Undergraduates may also find opportunities through Duke's many interdisciplinary institutes, including:

  • Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) — research on global health challenges and equity.
  • Duke Energy Initiative — interdisciplinary research on energy and the environment.
  • Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy — health economics and policy research.
  • Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions — environmental policy and sustainability research.
  • Duke Forge (Health Data Science) — data science applied to health challenges.

Presenting and Publishing Your Research

Duke actively supports students who want to share their work beyond campus:

  • The annual Visible Thinking Symposium showcases undergraduate research across disciplines.
  • Students can apply for travel funding to present at national and international conferences.
  • Some undergraduates co-author published journal articles with faculty mentors.

Research at Duke is not reserved for the most advanced students — it's open to anyone willing to take the initiative. Whether you spend a summer in a neuroscience lab or join a Bass Connections team studying urban inequality, the experience of contributing to real knowledge is transformative and sets Duke graduates apart in any field they pursue.