Grantmaking Process
The Medical Research Program makes grants primarily through peer-reviewed award programs. The process starts with a request for proposals (RFP) issued by the foundation. Proposals received in response to an RFP undergo rigorous peer review by independent experts. Grants for projects selected through this process are then made to non-profit medical institutions on behalf of individual investigators or project directors. Details for open competitions are listed below.
On occasion, to complement our award programs, the Medical Research Program may make small grants to non-profit organizations to strengthen the field of clinical research. Requests for such projects should be summarized in a letter of inquiry and submitted electronically via our online system.
Areas Not Funded
In general, the Medical Research Program does not fund unsolicited research projects or capital projects; projects outside the primary grantmaking strategies; institutions outside the United States; or research that uses animals, in keeping with the wishes expressed in Doris Duke's will.
Please see our definition of clinical research for additional information.
Open Competitions
There are no open competitions at this time.
To be notified of future grant competitions, sign up for the Medical Research Program's mailing list.