Stay In Focus Follow-up Grants

“My Focus faculty and mentor encouraged me to contact other faculty to begin genetic research, which has been the most exciting and meaningful activity I have pursued in college, ultimately leading to two first-author publications. The Focus Program is both a unique challenge and a unique opportunity for Duke students, and I encourage all students to seriously consider it.”
— Felicia Walton, Focus Program alumna and 2007 Marshall Scholarship recipient

What is a Stay In Focus Follow-up Grant?

The Focus Program encourages collaboration between faculty and students who have participated in the Focus Program. The Stay In Focus Follow-up Grant is designed to give faculty and students an opportunity to follow-up on the Focus experience and engage in research, design and creative arts projects. Proposals are accepted during the fall and the spring. A faculty committee reviews the proposals and awards are made during the following semester or over the summer.

The follow-up grant is intended as seed money for a project, to augment departmental or school resources with funds to support student work time on projects, to purchase materials needed to carry out the project, or to fund travel and other project-related costs. Grants will fall in the range of $200-$500 per project. Projects are not awarded in conjunction with Independent Study credits.

Who is Eligible for a Stay In Focus Follow-up Grant?

Proposals are submitted by student-faculty partners. Every project must be sponsored by at least one current or former Focus Program faculty member. Any current or past Focus student is eligible. Faculty sponsors will supervise the projects and provide selected resources such as space and facilities. More than one student may be involved in the project.

What are the Stay In Focus Follow-up Grant requirements?

Student-faculty partners who receive the follow-up grant are expected to participate in the annual undergraduate research symposium sponsored by Trinity College of Arts and Sciences that follows their award period. The symposium under the title “Visible Thinking” which is held each April. It consists of either poster or oral presentations of projects. Dean Mary Nijhout of Trinity College oversees this symposium and welcomes Focus students and faculty to participate whether or not they receive our follow-up grants.

Proposals should include the application form provided by the Focus Program, which requests the following information: (1) the rationale and purpose of the project, (2) the resources required to carry it out, (3) the time frame for the work and (4) the planned outcome of this work, such as a poster report, public presentation or performance, or research paper, etc.

During the 2009 – 2010 academic year, the deadlines will be:
January 19, 2010 (Awards announced - TBA)
April 06, 2010 (Awards announced - TBA)

Please complete and sign the application form and submit it to the Focus Program office.