The Duke-Coulter Proposal Process

Call for Proposals

Each year, the Wallace H. Coulter Endowment provides approximately $700,000 for direct costs to support the translation of projects. Typically, three to five grants are funded each cycle.

Go to the Call for Proposals »

February/March

  • Potential applicants are encouraged to submit a brief summary (less than one page) of the research project, the clinical need being addressed, knowledge of the intellectual property (IP) landscape, potential users of the technology, etc.

    The goal of submitting the summary is to strengthen proposals by initiating discussion and action with the Coulter Project Team (CPT) and Duke Office of Translation & Commercialization, in addition to experts outside Duke, to assess the idea and provide feedback related to the market and IP.

April

  • Potential applicants meet with the CPT for advice and guidance on project ideas and the development of a strong proposal.

May

  • Faculty submit proposal(s), along with a rough budget with approximate salaries and expected supply expenses
  • Full budgets with departmental approvals will be obtained in time for projects that are recommended for funding
  • The Oversight Committee and CPT then review and discuss submitted proposals.

July/August

  • The potential applicant pool is cut approximately in half
  • The strongest applicants are invited to present their project before the Oversight Committee for oral presentation

August

  • Awardees are contacted
  • Complete budgets are prepared and submitted

September

  • Budgets are reviewed, corrected and signed off

September/October

  • Assignment of Project Managers to projects
  • Kickoff meetings with Project Managers and Barry Myers

October 31

  • All prior award fund codes are closed

November 1

  • New fund codes are opened, and the first quarter begins

Post-Award

  • The Coulter Program Director and staff assist in preparing grants (i.e., STTR grants and NC Innovative Development for Economic Advancement Awards)

    The CPT's relationship with the Duke Office of Translation & Commercialization helps move projects closer to clinical application.