Duke Cook Center Graduate Summer Research Fellowships 2026: Apply Now

Duke University offers a valuable chance for its graduate students through the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity Graduate Summer Research Fellowships 2026. This program supports PhD students in building their research skills while focusing on social equity issues. With applications open until April 30, 2026, it’s a great opportunity to gain mentorship and real-world experience.

What the Fellowship Covers

The fellowship connects participants to the Cook Center’s key research areas. These include pillars like Educational and Economic Opportunity, Health Equity, and Carceral Justice. Fellows can also work on broader themes such as systems of inequality, public policy, data science methods, and training future scholars.

This setup lets students contribute to important work on social equity. They join teams led by faculty and post-docs, which helps them grow their expertise. The program runs during the summer of 2026 and aims to deepen scholarship while expanding professional networks.

Key Responsibilities

Fellows take on hands-on tasks to support research projects. This includes data collection, literature reviews, data analysis, and sometimes guiding undergraduate researchers.

They meet with their team twice a week, either in person or online. These sessions cover project updates and collaboration ideas. Fellows also keep in touch with mentors regularly to check progress and address any issues.

At the end of summer, each fellow writes a short summary of their experience. This piece gets shared on the Cook Center’s website, helping to spread their work.

Stipend and Support

Participants receive a stipend of $10,625.01. This funding covers their summer efforts and allows focus on the research without other worries.

The program also builds skills through mentorship. Fellows work closely with experienced researchers, which strengthens their resumes for future careers in academia or policy.

Who Can Apply

This opportunity is only for current Duke University PhD students. They must be in good academic standing and plan to enroll in Fall 2026.

No other groups qualify, so check your status before applying. The Cook Center reviews applications on a rolling basis until spots fill up or the deadline hits on April 30, 2026.

Application Process

Start by downloading the application form from the Cook Center website. Fill it out completely.

Gather all your materials into one PDF file. Email it to Tyson Brown at [email protected], and copy Jill Powell at [email protected].

For full details, check the Graduate Summer Research Fellowships page. Act soon, as positions may close early if demand is high.

Frequently Asked Questions