Deadline: November 3, 2017
Bass Connections is now accepting proposals for 2018-2019 team-based research projects that engage faculty, undergraduates and graduate/professional students in interdisciplinary exploration of big, unanswered questions about major societal challenges.
Please see the project proposal guidelines and download the proposal template. The deadline is November 3.
Any Duke faculty member may submit a proposal. Duke graduate/professional students, postdocs and trainees/fellows are also encouraged to propose projects, but all projects must have at least one faculty leader.
For some faculty, Bass Connections funds a pilot research project that lays the groundwork for external grant proposals. For others, Bass Connections offers an innovative teaching model and an opportunity to mentor students in a small group atmosphere. And some faculty view Bass Connections as an opportunity to initiate or deepen engagement with a community organization or other collaborators outside of Duke who can provide input into the construction of research questions and translate findings into action.
New Opportunity: Bass Connections Open
This year, faculty may propose a project that does not align with one of the five Bass Connections themes by applying through the new open channel.
Expanded Theme Offerings
Faculty should also take note of several new offerings from the current Bass Connections themes:
- The Energy theme has been renamed the Energy & Environment theme to reflect the broadening scope of its activities, which have been enabled by several special funding opportunities.
- In addition to global research projects, the Global Health theme is encouraging proposals related to U.S. health disparities.
- The Information, Society & Culture theme encourages faculty to link project proposals with a summer Data+ project. Faculty may propose such projects through the Bass Connections RFP process.
Special Funding Opportunities
Due to several gifts, we encourage proposals that take advantage of opportunities in the following areas:
- Ethics
- Arts
- Humanities
- Conservation and Biodiversity
- Sustainable Energy Transitions
Information Sessions
Laura Howes, director of Bass Connections, is available to answer questions. Faculty may also contact the theme leaders of any given theme to discuss project ideas. In addition, interested faculty, graduate/professional students, postdocs and trainees/fellows are welcome to attend any session that fits their schedule, though each session has a particular thematic focus.
- Wednesday, September 20, 12-1 p.m., Sanford (projects with a significant legal/policy/business dimension); Rubenstein Hall 242
- Wednesday, September 27, 8:30-9:30 a.m., School of Medicine (projects with a health dimension); Trent Semans Center 3019
- Wednesday, September 27, 12-1 p.m., East Campus (projects with a humanities/arts/ethics dimension); Friedl 225
- Friday, September 29, 12-1 p.m., Pratt (projects with an engineering/environment/natural sciences dimension); CIEMAS 1425
Lunch or breakfast will be served at each session. RSVPs to laura.howes@duke.edu are appreciated.
Learn More
- Read the project proposal guidelines.
- Explore the 2017-2018 Bass Connections projects.
- Contact us with any questions.