Leveraging Duke’s strength as a leader in data-driven climate solutions, the university launched its first Data-Driven Climate Expedition in 2022. This Data Expedition brought together researchers from across Duke, using data analytics to focus on timely, transdisciplinary challenges — both existing and emerging — posed by climate change on human health. Each interdisciplinary Data Expedition team, comprised of six to 13 faculty from a variety of fields, worked together on a data-intensive research project at the intersection of environmental climate change and human health impacts. The Data Expeditions have proceeded in two phases:
- During Phase I, teams were formed around a particular research topic, with teams incentivized to form transdisciplinary teams that include researchers from the School of Medicine and School of Nursing working alongside researchers from Trinity, Pratt, Fuqua, Law, Sanford, Nicholas, or a University-wide Institute, Center, or Initiative. Phase I planning grants of up to $25,000 were available for each team.
- During Phase II, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued to each team, with up to three teams selected for full funding of up to $400,000 over two years. All non-selected teams receive feedback on their proposals from reviewers, with the intent that proposals can be revised, strengthened, and submitted for external funding. Funding from The Duke Endowment ($1.485M) has provided the resources to launch the pilot round of these Climate Data Expeditions.
Nine teams received Phase I funding for their projects, with Phase I funding set to conclude in December 2023. In Spring 2023, five of these nine teams received additional funding for their Phase II projects. Three of these projects received funding from the Duke Endowment and two additional projects received Phase II funding from the Duke University Health System Chancellor’s Office.
These Phase II projects are underway, with funding slated to run through Spring 2025. Learn more about the funded projects.