Research Exchange Planning Guide

When coordinating your visit with your host department, please: 

• Review Duke University School of Medicine’s designated holiday schedule and be mindful of major campus events, such as May commencement exercises, August Move-In Week, and October Founders’ Weekend.
• Submit the required Visitor Request Form to the Office of Duke-NUS Affairs once your visit dates are confirmed. Forms must be submitted at least three months before arrival to allow sufficient time for approvals and hotel arrangements.

To facilitate your travel arrangements, please: 

• Prepare required supporting documentation for your visa application. Of note, this is not an exhaustive list; contact Duke Visa Services (DVS) or your host department if you have questions. Commonly required documents include:
  • Passport
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Copies of previous U.S. visas or immigration documents 
  • Financial documentation demonstrating availability of funds or financial independence (refer to these funding guidelines)
• Begin the visa request process as early as possible. Each department works directly with DVS to process visa applications, and the department’s business or human resources administrator serves as the primary point of contact for handling visa matters. Identify and contact this person early in the planning process, as visa processing typically requires at least three months. 
• Complete Part Two of the DVS online Student Web Form. Select <Temporary Login> and complete Part Two of the form; your host department will complete Part One.

The Office of Duke-NUS Affairs will arrange hotel accommodations and airport transfers to and from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Hotel accommodations will be located near campus, with priority given to personal safety and convenient access to food options and campus bus or shuttle routes.

Please note that up to 30 nights of lodging are included as part of the program; any additional nights must be arranged and paid for directly by the awardee.

Prior to your arrival, your host department will initiate a Duke Sponsored Account, which provides you with a Duke NetID and email address, as well as a DukeCard (University ID badge). A representative from the Office of Duke-NUS Affairs will escort you on your first day to pick up your physical DukeCard, which provides access to academic and administrative buildings.

Additional instructions and access details will be shared within one week of your arrival on campus.

The resources below are intended to help you navigate Duke University and the surrounding Durham area during your visit. Whether you plan to walk, use campus transportation, or rely on rideshare services, these tools will help you move around confidently and plan your daily travel. Please note that Duke’s campus and the surrounding community are spread out, and travel times may be longer than expected.

• Duke Campus Map
• Campus Bus Routes
  • Duke has a free bus system for all members of the Duke community.
  • You can also follow Duke Transit and other nearby buses in real-time by downloading the TransLoc app, available at the App Store and Google Play.
• Rideshares
  • Services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available in Durham and are a convenient way to travel between your hotel, Duke’s campus, and nearby destinations. Wait times are usually short, and rideshare is commonly used by visitors for both daytime and evening transportation.

Emergency Services
Emergency assistance for police, fire, or medical services can be reached by dialing 911 from any phone. 

Duke University also maintains a network of emergency phone boxes, often identified as blue light phone posts, to connect directly with the Duke University Police Department. These phones are located around Duke's main campus.

Non-Emergency Assistance
For situations that are not urgent but still require assistance—such as reporting lost property, theft, property damage, or safety concerns—visitors may contact the Duke University Police Department non-emergency line at +1 (919) 684-2444 or use the campus police department Online Citizen Reporting System.

Office of Duke-NUS Affairs Support
The Office of Duke-NUS Affairs should be notified of any concerns related to the safety or well-being of visiting program participants. Visitors are encouraged to contact our office with questions, concerns, or issues that arise during their stay so that we can provide support and assistance as needed.

Please contact Jooyoung Chun at Jooyoung.chun@duke.edu.