DukeEngage | Duke Center for Civic Engagement

About DukeEngage

The DukeEngage Mission:

DukeEngage empowers students to address critical human needs through immersive service, in the process transforming students, advancing the University’s educational mission, and providing meaningful assistance to communities in the U.S. and abroad.

What is DukeEngage?
DukeEngage provides funding for Duke undergraduates who wish to pursue an immersive (minimum of eight weeks) service experience by meeting a community need locally, domestically or internationally. Thanks to funding from The Duke Endowment and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DukeEngage funded and supported 350 students in both group programs and independent projects during the summer of 2009.  Since the program began in 2007, more than 800 Duke students have participated.

Where is the DukeEngage program located on campus?
DukeEngage has its offices, along with others who comprise the Duke Center for Civic Engagement, in Smith Warehouse, located just off of East Campus at 114 Buchanan Blvd., Bays 7 and 8, Second Floor.  (At this time, the best way to enter is on the north side of the building in an entrance leading into Bay 8; the DukeEngage reception area is in Bay 7.)

What sorts of projects take place?
Students are involved in a vast range of civic engagement activities, including environmental advocacy, community outreach, global health, education, social justice and more.  For example, in the past three years, students have:
• launched mentoring and school enrichment programs;
• created community support initiatives;
• designed health education and outreach programs
• improved a community’s health information infrastructure;
• produced environmental education documentaries;
• developed microfinance opportunities for disadvantaged women and families.

These projects and others have taken place in more than 40 nations around the world.  In the summer of 2009, 350 Duke students are participating in either DukeEngage group or individual programs across the globe.  For more information, view our section on Immersion Programs.

Who may participate in DukeEngage?
Duke undergraduates in good standing who have completed two semesters of coursework are eligible and may apply.  Because post-experience reflection and sharing with others in the Duke community is a central tenet of the DukeEngage philosophy, the program is restricted to applications from first-year students, sophomores and juniors who plan to return to campus following their DukeEngage experience.  DukeEngage will cover expenses (travel and living) associated with the immersion experience. For students on need-based financial aid, Duke will also assume responsibility for the “summer earnings” requirement.

When can I apply and to which programs?
Please refer to the calendar of key dates and deadlines to the right.  Note that tudents may apply for either an independent project of their own creation or may apply to one or two group programs (if applying to two programs, one must exist in the United States).  An online application goes live annually once group programs are announced in early October.  Information sessions are held throughout the fall.  Application deadlines vary (check the DukeEngage web site for key dates related to applying).  Students interested in developing an independent project should plan to meet with a DukeEngage staff advisor in the fall as they begin conceptualizing their project in advance of submitting their application online.