Duke Interdisciplinary Hub for Rural Health Equity
Duke University has launched the Interdisciplinary Hub for Rural Health Equity (“the Hub”) to address the disproportionate chronic disease burden facing rural North Carolinians. Through convergence of research expertise in nursing, engineering, divinity, and the social sciences, the Hub will expand community partnerships and co-create research in support of rural North Carolinians, including rural-specific chronic disease epidemiology, implementation science to improve the uptake of screening and treatment in rural clinics, and community-guided intervention studies that reflect local values and realities.
Our Vision:
To become the leading institution “of and for” North Carolina by advancing a unified, interdisciplinary approach to rural health. The Rural Health Equity Hub, the first center of its kind at Duke University, will expand the reach of our educational and research missions.
This hub will serve as a gateway for scientists, educators, students, and trainees to engage in collaborative science, capacity building, and training to address the most pressing rural health inequities across our state.
New Funding Opportunity
Rural Health Equity Hub – SEED Grant Opportunity
The Rural Health Equity Hub is seeking Letters of Intent for SEED grant funding to support community-engaged research partnerships focused on improving health equity in rural North Carolina. Projects must center on rural communities, with priority given to Medicaid Regions 4 and 6, and be co-developed with community partners.
Two funding tracks are available:
- New Partnership Development Grants (up to $10,000): Support the creation of new academic–community partnerships, including relationship-building, community listening, and capacity building.
- Advancing Collaboration Grants (up to $25,000): Support established partnerships to expand pilot research, refine interventions, and generate preliminary data.
All proposals should address community-identified needs, strengthen rural research capacity, and demonstrate potential for sustainable impact and future external funding. The chance to submit LOIs will be open for the month of June and close on July 1st! We hope to send out notifications of approval sometime in early to mid-July. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions to RuralHealthHub@duke.edu.
The Hub - An Interdisciplinary Partnership
RURAL HEALTH EQUITY HUB
Focus Areas
Key Objectives:
- Develop and Enhance Interdisciplinary Training Programs
- Coordinate and Enhance Existing Infrastructure
- Advance Data-Driven, Community-Led Health Innovations
Resources
Explore information for Duke University School of Nursing and other Duke employees on rural resources. Stay up-to-date on health policies in rural areas and attend meetings and conferences where rural initiatives, ideas, and information are shared.
Calendar of Events
Listing of upcoming events, meetings, seminar series, and design thinking workshops. Make sure to check back often.