Deadline to Submit: November 24, 2025
Symposium Date: January 22, 2026
What We’re Looking For
We invite faculty, graduate students, and postdocs to submit one-page proposals for “Big Ideas” that support the creation of new, innovative, multidisciplinary research teams to address critical climate and health challenges. Proposals should be collaborative, interdisciplinary, and ideally come from individuals or groups who have not previously worked together.
Selected proposals will be invited to pitch their ideas at the Climate & Health Big Idea Symposium on January 22, 2026, and will be eligible to apply for pilot funding to further develop their research.
Proposal Tracks
- Faculty Projects: Up to $300,000 over two years
- Graduate/Postdoc Projects: Up to $10,000 one-year
Research Themes
Proposals should align with one or more of the following focus areas, with a focus on deliverable outcomes for vulnerable communities in the Carolinas:
- Biology and Physiology of Heat
Investigating direct and indirect effects of heat on human health, including physiology, immunology, pathogens, and nutrition. - Climate and Health Observatories
Developing surveillance strategies and models to measure climate impacts on health and define effective public health interventions. - Data Solutions for Climate and Health
Creating integrated data systems to analyze climate and health trends, establish causal links, and predict future events. - Policy and Resilience in a Changing Climate
Designing policies and strategies to build resilience in communities and healthcare systems facing climate-related health threats.
Eligibility
Faculty Projects: All Duke University faculty, across all schools, centers, and institutes, are invited to submit proposals. We encourage proposals that leverage the unique strengths of Duke's diverse academic community and offer the potential for significant long-term outcomes.
Graduate/Postdoc Projects: All Duke University graduate students and postdoctoral researchers—from any school, center, or institute—are invited to submit proposals for innovative projects at the intersection of climate and health.
We encourage ideas from all disciplines, including those outside traditional climate or health fields.
How to Apply
Submit a one-page Letter of Intent through MyResearchProposal, using code: CHRI. Submissions should include a summary of your idea, and potential collaborative partners (proposed departments, units, specific roles, and/or names of collaborators, if known).
Questions?
For more information, visit our FAQ section, access a recorded webinar (NetID required) or email us at som_climatehealth@duke.edu
Help shape the future of climate and health research—together.
Submit your proposal and be part of a transformative initiative to protect the health of our most vulnerable communities.