Guaranteed Funding
The Department of Population Health Sciences offers a competitive package that provides PhD students with financial support for the first five years of their degree, provided they:
- remain in good academic standing
- actively and consistently engage in work tied to their funding source(s)
- meet program milestones
- make consistent and appropriate progress toward their degree
This support includes four main components: a stipend, tuition coverage, fees coverage, and coverage of health and dental insurance premiums.
This Graduate School webpage has detailed information on financial support for PhD students. More departmental-specific information is below.
Expectations for Securing External Funding
All Duke PhD students are expected to make a consistent and visible effort to secure external or research funding. Pursuing these opportunities not only helps support a student’s education but also builds critical skills for their future career. Students should communicate regularly with, and seek guidance and help from, their advisor about their efforts and progress in securing external funding.
Service Requirements
The DPHS PhD program is a 12-month program, which means students are enrolled full-time and earn a stipend, all 12 months of the year, in exchange for up to 19.9 hours of work per week. This can be research work with faculty on projects relevant to the student’s interests and goals, or other work for the department, depending on the nature and amount of research work available. Students cannot be compensated for more than 19.9 hours of effort per week throughout the year, regardless of whether or not classes are in session. It is understood that students who receive a stipend frequently spend more time on their research than 19.9 hours but that is not considered part of their compensation and is, instead, part of their academic training.
Time-Off Policy: Being able to take time off is an important aspect of ensuring the wellbeing and success of graduate students. To that end, this policy aims to establish clear, consistent expectations for all PhD students in The Graduate School regarding time off from their responsibilities as research, teaching, or graduate assistants (RAs, TAs, or GAs). For details, please see The Graduate School.
Effort expectations are set by DPHS and faculty advisors, but generally there is little variation in effort expectation in fall/spring versus summer for students enrolled in 12-month programs.
Please note: Students, along with their advisor or advising team, should keep track of which projects are funding their stipend. A student’s primary responsibility is to contribute to the work tied to their funding source, whether supported by an advisor’s research funds or departmental resources (e.g., serving as a teaching assistant for DPHS).
Stipend Supplementation
The Duke Graduate School PhD Stipend Supplementation Policy outlines several different avenues by which students have the opportunity to supplement their stipend. Before you pursue any of these options, you MUST read and meet the DPHS eligibility requirements below.
DPHS Policy on PhD Stipend Supplementation Eligibility
PhD students are eligible to pursue stipend supplementation only if their primary funding does not come from DPHS Education resources. Specifically, this means you may consider stipend supplementation opportunities if your stipend is fully provided by:
- Your advisor’s research grants or portfolio
- Another faculty member or institution’s research funding
- An external award or fellowship
Additionally, any supplemental work and effort MUST abide by the terms of all awards providing your stipend (e.g., within time limits, extra funding amount limits, etc.) If you need assistance understanding the terms of your award, please consult your advisor, the sponsored research representative who manages the award from which your funding comes, and/or the Associate Director of Education.
If DPHS Education is your primary funding source AND you are not actively working for DPHS Education, stipend supplementation is not permitted. This policy ensures that department-funded resources remain focused on core academic and research responsibilities critical to the program's mission.
As always, any stipend supplementation must align with the Duke Ph.D. Stipend Supplementation Policy, and approval is required from both your advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) BEFORE you undertake any supplementation effort. Approval will also depend on your satisfactory academic progress and fulfillment of funding-related obligations.
Departmental PhD Internship Process
PhD students in DPHS may pursue internships as part of their academic and professional development. Internships typically replace the student’s research assistantship for a designated period and must offer a stipend at or above the University rate.
Because internships can affect funding, visa status, and academic progress, students must follow the steps below to secure the necessary approvals and ensure timely coordination.
Step-by-Step Internship Process
1. Identify a Potential Internship
Seek out opportunities that are relevant to your degree and research interests. Ensure the internship offers a stipend at or above the University level. Confirm that the opportunity will not delay your academic progress.
2. Complete the DPHS Internship Notification Form
Fill out this form to document the opportunity, describe its relevance, and provide full internship contact information. You will also be asked to explain how the internship provides greater professional/academic value than your current role.
You must complete this form before accepting the internship offer.
3. Obtain Written Approval
Before proceeding, you must secure written approval from:
- All members of your advising team (including any co-advisors)
- The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)
Approval must be granted before any formal agreement is made with the internship provider.
4. Notify the Associate Director of Education
At least 30 days before your internship start date, you must notify the Associate Director of:
- Confirmed start and end dates
- Approval from your advising team and DGS
This step ensures proper payroll coordination and avoids disruption to your stipend payments.
5. (If Applicable) Apply for CPT Authorization
If you are an international student on an F-1 visa, you must obtain CPT authorization from Duke Visa Services before beginning the internship.
- Submit a formal CPT request at least 2 weeks prior to your start date
- You must have:
- A written job offer with dates, responsibilities, and location
- Approval from your advisor and DGS
- A credit-bearing course or documentation showing the internship is integral to your degree
Learn more: https://visaservices.duke.edu/visa-categories/f-1/f-1-curricular-practical-training-cpt/
You may not begin work until you receive an updated I-20 with CPT authorization.
6. Confirm Payroll Adjustments
Internships typically replace your research assistantship (RA) for the duration of the internship. Payroll will be adjusted to reflect the change in funding source. Coordinate with the Associate Director to ensure a smooth transition.
7. Begin Internship
Once all approvals and notifications are complete, and (if applicable) CPT authorization is secured, you may begin your internship.
8. Maintain Communication
Stay in contact with your advisor(s) during the internship. Notify the program if any internship dates or conditions change.
Important Reminders
- Failure to follow these steps may result in delayed or lost stipend payments.
- Working without CPT authorization (for F-1 students) is a violation of immigration status.
- Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisor(s) and the DGS early when considering an internship.
After the Final Defense
After Your Final Defense – Stipend, Benefits & Work Authorization Summary
| Who/What/When | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Stipend – if supported by non-sponsored funds | Final stipend is paid in the month of your defense, or the following month if your 2-week submission window overlaps months. |
| Stipend – if supported by sponsored funds | Stipend may continue until funding ends or graduation, but only with prior PI/sponsor approval. This is unusual and requires express approval from PI/sponsor. |
| Until Graduation Date | You remain a student; retain campus facility access, DukeCard privileges, and health insurance (if within first 6 years). |
| Summer graduates | Health insurance may lapse in August; option to extend for 1 month. Graduate School covers cost if they paid prior premium. Dental ends July 31. |
| Fall graduates | Health coverage through Dec 31 (Graduate School covers until then; you may pay for rest of plan year). Dental runs until July 31 (non-prorated). |
| Spring graduates | Health & dental coverage continue through July 31 at Graduate School’s expense. |
| OPT (Optional Practical Training) | If you are on an F-1 visa and plan to work in the U.S. after graduation, apply for OPT through Duke Visa Services up to 90 days before and no later than 60 days after your program end date. You must have your OPT approved and EAD card in hand before beginning post-graduation employment. |
| Duke email ends 1 year after graduation — set up Duke alumni email. | |
| Equipment | Return all DPHS-issued laptops and hardware before graduation. |
| Building/DukeCard Access | Ends at graduation unless you are hired as staff. |
| Parking | Return loaned garage transponder before leaving. |
Full DPHS PhD Post-Final Defense Guidelines available here
Other PhD Financial information and Resources
While the PhD student funding package includes coverage of stipend, tuition, fees, and health and dental insurance, students are responsible for anything on their Duke Bursar account not related to or included in the funding package (e.g., parking tickets, fines, etc.)
In addition to the main support package, The Graduate School also offers several other financial resources, such as conference travel grants, childcare subsidies, medical expense and financial hardship assistance, and short-term loans for emergencies.