To:         Duke University Research Community

From:    Lawrence Carin, Vice President for Research

Re:         Research Operations and COVID-19        

While on-campus classes have been suspended, Duke University and Duke Health remain open. However, many of our operations and activities will have to make adjustments to working conditions due to the impact of COVID-19. The Duke research enterprise is a key activity that will indeed continue under these conditions.

I recognize that many of you have detailed questions about how the new policies will affect research at Duke. These questions include the actual research process, as well as allowable charges to Federal grants. We have prepared a number of frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs) to address your concerns.

This website will be your source for guidance about research activity at Duke while we are in this period of great uncertainty.  The FAQs will be continually updated as we receive more information from our Federal sponsors and can analyze new regulations connected to COVID-19.  This information expands on the university policies that have been put in place regarding travel, events, and visitors to Duke.  I encourage you to check https://coronavirus.duke.edu on a regular basis for updates.

Safety within our research laboratories is our highest priority.  Please note that all Duke safety policies remain in place. Care should be taken to align laboratory safety practices with efforts to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. For example, it is essential to ensure adequate staffing to respond to emergencies.

We have mobilized a team of experts at Duke to help our faculty, students, and staff understand how the new work environment impacts performing research. Please let us know if there are additional matters not covered in the FAQs via the contact methods at the bottom of the FAQ website. These are challenging times, but we are focused on giving Duke researchers all the tools and information needed to continue our research endeavors.