Duke University is seeking cutting-edge science, engineering, and medical research projects to consider for presentation to the W.M. Keck Foundation. We are conducting an internal review process to identify and select competitive ideas.
** Please note that in this cycle, Duke is only selecting ideas for Keck’s Medical Research Program. Selection for the Science and Engineering Program will resume in summer 2023.**
Description
The Keck Foundation supports pioneering discoveries in science, engineering, and medical research that fall outside the mission of NIH, NSF, and other public funding agencies. Keck strives to fund distinctive and novel approaches. It encourages high-risk projects with the potential for transformative impact. "High-risk" comprises factors including questions that push the edge of the field, present unconventional approaches to intractable problems, or challenge the prevailing paradigm. “Transformative” may mean creation of a new field of research, development of new instrumentation enabling observations not previously possible, or discovery of knowledge that challenges prevailing perspectives. Duke is seeking proposal ideas that have been rejected or counseled away from NSF, NIH, or other public funding agencies. If you have a promising idea that is not yet at this stage, please contact stephen.murray@duke.edu to discuss before submitting a concept paper.
The Medical Research Program seeks to advance the frontiers of medicine to benefit humanity by supporting high-risk/high-impact projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach to intractable problems, push the edge of their field, or question the prevailing paradigm. Past grants have supported pioneering biological research, basic research, and the development of promising new technologies. The Keck Foundation does NOT fund work that is clinical, applied, or translational; treatment trials; or research for the sole purpose of drug development.
Both senior and early career investigators are encouraged to apply. Team approaches, including interdisciplinary teams, are encouraged.
Deadlines:
Types of support
PI salary limited to 10%. Personnel such as graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Renovations limited to 10% of the request. Equipment, noting Keck does not fund equipment for equipment’s sake; the science and methodology are paramount.
2016 - Fan Wang, Kafui Dzirasa: Unraveling the neural gate to consciousness
By December 12, 2022, interested faculty should submit a one-page concept paper that addresses the following through the Office of Research Initiative’s Limited Nomination Process:
If there is room, you may include other details (e.g., background to put the research into perspective, description of the institution’s prominence in the field, etc.). Avoid illustrations. If a reference is necessary, abbreviate it as: (Science, 323, 45, ’11). DO NOT USE (Jones et al., 2011)
Prior to submitting your project description, please review the list of the Foundation’s recently awarded grants provided on its website: http://www.wmkeck.org/grant-abstracts-final/research
Selection Process
Duke faculty reviewers will score and comment on the proposals based on Keck’s criteria. Senior research leadership may request feedback from deans and other scholars in related fields regarding the strategic importance of the proposed projects. Their feedback will be an important factor in the vetting process. Leadership will select which ideas will be discussed with a Keck program officer in advance of the submission, and their feedback will help determine the final submissions. Staff from the Office of Foundation Relations will work closely with the finalists on each proposal.
It is strongly recommended that you contact Steve Murray, Associate Director of Foundation Relations, at stephen.murray@duke.edu prior to submitting a concept paper.
Please submit internal materials through My Research Proposal (Code: ILN): https://www.grantinterface.com/sl/lOkhPu
Instructions for creating an account (if needed) and submitting your materials: https://ctsi.duke.edu/about-myresearchproposal
