Bass Connections Invites Proposals for 2025-2026 Projects by November 4

August 4, 2024

Apply by November 4 at 5 p.m.

Bass Connections is now accepting proposals for 2025-2026 projects that engage faculty, undergraduates and graduate/professional students in the interdisciplinary exploration of complex societal challenges. Please see the project proposal guidelines. The deadline to propose a project is November 4 at 5 p.m. All proposals must be submitted through the online proposal form. 

Projects may be proposed in relation to one or more of the six interdisciplinary themes of Bass Connections, or to Bass Connections Open – a channel that invites proposals that align with the model of Bass Connections but otherwise fall outside the parameters of the existing themes.

Themes include:

Bring Your Questions to Drop-in Office Hours

Interested project leaders, particularly those who have never led a Bass Connections team, are encouraged to contact a Bass Connections theme leader or Laura Howes (Assistant Vice Provost, Interdisciplinary Studies and Bass Connections) with questions or to discuss potential project ideas. You may also drop in at any time to one of our informal Zoom office hours (https://duke.zoom.us/j/6666010362):   

  • Friday, September 20, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 8, 9-10 a.m.
  • Thursday, October 24, 1-2 p.m.

Special Opportunities for 2025-2026

When completing a proposal, faculty may choose to take advantage of the following opportunities. Please note that applying for these opportunities will not increase your project budget, but rather may increase the likelihood that your project will be selected by allowing us to leverage funds designated for a specific purpose.  

  • Summer programs and experiences: We encourage teams to consider connecting their project with a summer program to jump-start or extend the team’s work through existing mechanisms. In particular, we encourage projects connected to DukeEngage or any summer “Plus” program. 
  • Applicants may submit a joint proposal for a Data+ Summer 2025 project linked to a year-long Bass Connections project through this RFP. You do not need to complete a separate application for Data+. Data+ is also accepting proposals for Climate+, a theme within Data+ focused on applying data-driven approaches to climate, environment and energy research. Please note that if you hope to link a Bass Connections project to a Data+ team for Summer 2026, you will need to apply for Data+ in the next round.

    You do not need to include Data + expenses in the enclosed budget template, which is for year-long teams only. Please note that funding decisions will be made by each program individually, so it is possible that your proposal may be accepted for only Data+ or only Bass Connections. Please contact us if you want to discuss how other faculty have linked these experiences in the past. Please contact Paul Bendich with questions specific to Data+.

  • Ethical inquiry: Funds are available to support projects that incorporate an in-depth exploration of ethical issues, with a preference for interdisciplinary projects that incorporate the humanities. If you are interested in discussing ideas for potential projects, please contact David Toole. Faculty who wish to propose projects under this rubric should indicate that their project is connected to ethical inquiry on the first section of the proposal form. 
  • Arts & Humanities: Funds are available to support projects in any area of research related to arts and the humanities. If you are interested in discussing ideas for potential humanities projects, please contact Christina Chia. Faculty who wish to propose projects under this rubric should indicate that their project is connected to arts/humanities on the first section of the proposal form.

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