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Duke Kunshan University Signature Work Research Grants
（Academic Year 2025-26）

Overview

The Signature Work Research Grant (SWRG) supports DKU juniors and seniors in conducting their approved Signature Work (SW) projects by covering research-related expenses. In addition, the Signature Fund (SF) provides limited supplemental funding when SWRG funding is insufficient in order for students to explore and do exceptional work beyond the expectations of a SW Project.

 

The supported work may be carried out during the academic year or the summer months. The research may be the student’s independent research idea, or it may be related to a DKU faculty member’s research, if it is in direct support of the student’ SW project.

  

The SELF grant will be discontinued.  Some expenses that were previously eligible under SELF, but not eligible under SWRG, may now be eligible under SWRG. 

Funding

  • SWRG Maximum Award: RMB 3,250
  • SF Supplemental Award: up to RMB 6,750
  • Team Limits (SWRG + SF): RMB 20,000 (2-person team), RMB 30,000 (3+ person team)
  • Reimbursements require official fapiao and must follow the 6-month reimbursement cycle.
  • Spending beyond the award will not be reimbursed.
  • Minor changes to the approved award proposed expenses can be made by an email request; these should be obtained in advance of any changes!

Eligibility

  • DKU juniors or seniors with an approved Signature Work Project Proposal (SWPP).
  • Completion of CITI Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training.
  • Enrolled in a SW Capstone course or approved SW-related summer research (SRS, faculty-funded, or other off-campus research) during the period of time that the money is being spent.
  • Students may receive up to two SWRGs (no more than one per academic year). Priority is given to first-time applicants.
  • Students are not eligible if they have completed eight semesters, failed a SW capstone, or are on academic integrity probation.
  • SF is available only to students who have received an SWRG award. One SF maximum per student; this would include any SF that had been received as part of the SELF program.

Application

Applications are submitted online and must include:

  1. Student and mentor information
  2. Transcript Unofficial transcripts that show courses and grades are acceptable.
  3. Approved SWPP. The SWPP must be approved before the time of submission for the SWRG proposal.
  4. Budget and justification (using template)
  5. One-page explanation of how funds support the SW project
  6. Signature Work Mentor support letter (requested through online form)
  7. Human Subjects (IRB): If your project involves human subjects, you must obtain approval from the DKU Institutional Review Board (IRB) before beginning data collection or using grant funds. You do not need IRB approval at the time of application, but you must indicate whether approval will be required and your planned timeline for submission.
  8. Animal Research (IACUC): DKU is developing procedures for review and approval of research involving live animals. If your project involves animal subjects, you must comply with DKU’s animal research protocol once established, and approval will be required before funds are released or research begins. Students should consult with their Signature Work mentor and Academic Services if animal research may be involved, and you must indicate this in your application.
  9. Additional progress report (if applying for second SWRG)
  10. Supplemental budget and justification (if applying for SF)
  11. Disclosure of other/current funding
 

Team projects: each member applies individually, must reference teammates, and specify their role and funding request.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Clear and feasible budget and justification.
  • Strong connection to Signature Work project, as defined in the SW project proposal.
  • Signature Work Mentor recommendation.
  • Completion of the foundation courses for the student’s declared major.
  • Student preparation and progress in major courses.
  • Availability of other funding.
  • Priority to first-time applicants and those for whom funding is essential.

Key Dates

  • Sept 1 – Fall applications open
  • Early Sept – Proposal Writing Workshop (tentative)
  • Sept 15 – Fall application deadline, with a target of announcing by October 15.
  • Jan 15 – Spring application deadline, with a target of announcing by February 15. Only Juniors or Seniors not graduating in the spring are eligible to apply for this round.
  • May 15 – Summer application deadline, with a target of announcing by June 15.
  • Reimbursement deadlines: Dec 15, 2025; Apr 15, 2026 (for graduating ’26 seniors); Jun 15, 2026; Dec 15, 2026; Apr 15, 2027 (for graduating ’27 seniors).

Contact

Questions may be directed to:

Appendix A – Allowable and Unallowable Expenses

Allowable:

  • Nondurable research supplies, special reagents not found in DKU labs, and single-use (or limited-use) testing kits.
  • Participant payments (with IRB), subject to DKU institutional limits. IRB approval must happen before the expense, or it will not be reimbursable.
  • Research animal expenses, which could include animal purchase, care
  • Special software/cloud/GPU (with clear justification)
  • Travel expenses to conduct necessary on-site research, subject to DKU institutional limits
  • Accommodation expenses to conduct necessary on-site research, subject to DKU institutional limits.
  • Special materials for creative projects, which could include fabric, photographic film, 3-d printing material. Semipermanent creative projects funded by SWRG would become property of DKU after the exhibit.
 

Not Allowable:

  • Most small equipment items are excluded, such as personal items, laptops, cameras, books, or other electronics.
  • Training or classes are excluded. This exclusion also applies ot online courses.
  • Support for participation in an internship is excluded.
  • Salaries, or payments of any kind, are excluded. Small gifts or compensation for research participants are possible as described above.
  • Travel to attend conferences is excluded. Academic Services has a separate fund for travel to present at a conference.
  • Publication costs are excluded, for research papers or for other materials.
  • On-campus housing or Kunshan area housing is excluded.
  • Travel or housing to any location that the student would be going to anyway is excluded; this also excludes travel to the student’s home.
 

Possible, but Rare Exceptions:

Reusable equipment can be allowed, but you are expected to show that you have exhausted all alternative options.  It is expected that the SW mentor will guide the student toward a project that uses available equipment, or will provide support for the purchase of equipment through the mentor’s discretionary or research funds. In some cases, Any purchased equipment remains the property of DKU.

 

Expensive samples or chemicals can be funded, but the SW mentor in their letter of support must explain why the pedagogical learning goals of the SW project can not be possible with a lower-cost alternative.

 

In general, special lighting, LED projection equipment, picture frames, space rental, display racks, or other support for creative projects are not supported.

Appendix B – Reporting and Reimbursement Requirements

  • All expenses during a six-month period (1 Jan to 30 Jun or 1 Jul to 31 Dec) must be submitted for reimbursement at the end of that period in a single submission on either 15 Jun or 15 Dec (or 15 Apr for graduating seniors). Follow the instructions in your award letter, or your reimbursement request may be denied.
  • Submit final Signature Work abstract to Academic Services.
  • Submit final budget report with documentation of expenditures to academic services.
  • SF recipients must also submit a thank-you note to donors and may be asked to participate in donor engagement activities.
  • All publications, posters, or presentations must acknowledge funding from DKU SWRG and/or SF.

Appendix C – Team Project Applications

  • Each member applies individually.
  • Combined requests may not exceed individual or team limits.
  • Applications must specify the role of each team member.