DukeEngage | Duke Center for Civic Engagement

About DukeEngage

The DukeEngage program provides funding for Duke undergraduates who wish to pursue an intensive (minimum of eight weeks) civic engagement experience anywhere in the world. Through DukeEngage, students apply what they have learned in the classroom to address societal issues at home or abroad. Not only do students tackle real-world problems, but they develop the valuable skills and self-knowledge that evolve from spending time in an immersive service experience.

The Duke Endowment and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation each contributed $15 million to start an endowment that will enable a significant portion of Duke’s student body to serve locally, nationally and internationally through DukeEngage. Through their service, Duke students and the communities they touch will be transformed.

Any Duke undergraduate who has completed at least two semesters of classes is eligible for participation. Duke will cover expenses (travel and living) associated with the immersive experience. For students on need-based financial aid, Duke will also assume responsibility for the “summer earnings” requirement.

Students can serve in one of three ways:
• by participating in a Duke-sponsored or organized program;
• by participating in a program that Duke coordinates with an outside provider of student internships or volunteer work in the U.S. and/or abroad;
• by submitting a funding proposal for a unique internship experience of a student’s own creation

In the summer of 2008, 360 Duke students participated in either DukeEngage group or individual programs across the globe.  For more information, view our section on Immersion Programs.