Spring 2026 Funding Opens on Monday 10/27/2025 at 9:00 AM.
What is the Cultural Engagement Fund?
The Cultural Engagement Fund (CEF) is a funding source for students groups that meet the following criteria:
- Is formally recognized or chartered by Duke University;
- Has an assigned fund code or account issued by Student Affairs
- Primarily benefits undergraduate students.
**Please note: in order for student organizations to access the CEF application via Duke Groups, they must first complete the financial training via Duke Groups. The application will be available twice each academic year: once in the
Fall and once in the Spring. Questions? Please email culturalengagementfund@duke.edu
The Cultural Engagement Fund (CEF), formerly known as the University/Cultural Fund (UCF), provides undergraduate student organizations with financial support to develop and implement programs, which promote the arts, co-curricular education, health and wellness, multiculturalism and social justice, community service, and/or cross-cultural collaboration.
The Cultural Engagement Fund (CEF) derives its name from the “Cultural Fund” established in 2001 by President Nannerl O. Keohane to support student groups with a rich history of cultural programming on campus. Groups who typically receive funding from this source are those with long-standing signature events that have contributed significantly to the development of a more inclusive campus environment and a deeper understanding of cultural diversity.
With the recognition of cultural diversity and constant student needs in a changing campus climate, it was necessary to incorporate “engagement” in the new name to reflect broader and multifaceted ways students participate in various enriching activities on Duke campus as well as with each other.
The Cultural Engagement Fund provides undergraduate student organizations with financial resources to develop programs that promote any of the following: arts, co-curricular education, health and wellness, multiculturalism and social justice, community service, and/or cross-cultural collaboration. The mission of the Cultural Engagement Fund is to support student cultural organizations with more consistent funding for long-standing signature programs.
Eligible Student Organizations
Any undergraduate student organization that meets the following qualifications:
- Is formally recognized or chartered by Duke University;
- Has an assigned fund code or account issued by Student Affairs
- Primarily benefits undergraduate students.
**Please note: in order for student organizations to access the CEF application via Duke Groups, they must first complete the financial training via Duke Groups.
Eligible Programs
- Arts: programs that promote and/or involve performance, visual, or other artistic forms.
- Co-curricular Education: programs which complement the classroom experience and continue to be academically-based such as lectures, symposia, workshops, and seminars.
- Health and Wellness: programs that promote wellness and/or safe behaviors and lifestyles.
- Multiculturalism and Social Justice: programs related to social justice education and cross-cultural engagement via cultural and/or intercultural activities and dialogues.
- University/Community Service: programs that promote civic engagement and/or provide a needed service to the Duke or Durham community.
- Cross-Cultural Collaboration: programs that involve the collaboration of at least two student organizations that usually do not work together; to develop, implement, and evaluate such programs, particularly between domestic and international student groups.
Undergraduate student organizations can apply for funding for only 1 professional conference per academic year.
Regarding conference funding, CEF may fund only registration fees UP TO 5 members.
For conference funding requests, please email culturalengagementfund@duke.edu.
Application Process
Application Process
The following provides all the information you need to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
- The CEF application is now available on your organization's Duke Groups page.
- Click the 'Budget' tab from the left navigation menu
- Select Cultural Engagement Fund from the list of available budgets
- Review the Info Module (linked in the blue box at the top of the page)
- Take (and pass) the CEF Quiz (linked in the blue box at the top of the page)
- After passing the CEF quiz, you will be able to access the application form
- Make sure you submit your application to be considered for the funds.
- Return to the Budget Page and click 'Create Budget Request'
- President, Treasurer, and Advisor approve the submission on Duke Groups from the 'My Workflows' tab on the Duke Groups homepage.
The application process for the Cultural Engagement Fund (CEF) for Spring 2026 funding is now open and the application deadline is Friday, November 7th at 11:55pm.
In order to apply for funding, student organizations must have a representative complete the CEF online module. Student organizations must complete the module in order to be eligible to apply for funding. Organizations need to complete the module each time they apply.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR CEF APPLICATION?
The form can be found here.
President, Treasurer, and Advisor approve the submission on Duke Groups from the 'My Workflows' tab on the Duke Groups homepage.
Once you receive your organization's award letter from the CEF email account, SOP Finance will distribute the funds into your organization's account via fund code in five (5) business days.
If you have questions about money in your organizations account OR how to spend the money, email sopfinance@duke.edu
Questions about Duke Groups logistics: dukegroups@duke.edu
Questions about CEF logistics: culturalengagementfund@duke.edu
| Category | Max Allocation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DJ | $300 | |
| Photographer/Videographer | $250 | |
| Misc Entertainment | $1000 | |
| Food (per plate) | $15 | |
| T-Shirts (from Duke vendors) | $300 | |
| Costume (per person, up to 10) | $15 | |
| Conference Registration (up to 5 people) | $2000 ($400/person) | Limit to 1 conference per academic year. |
| Retreats | $150 | |
| Guest Fee | $500 | |
| Guest Food | $200 | No Accommodations |
| Venue | $2000 | |
| Local Transport | $150 | |
| Airfare (per person) | $500 | |
| Ritual Decor | $— | Only for ritualistic ceremonies |
| Miscellaneous | $500 |
Things the CEF does not fund:
- General Body Meetings (GBM) or items for the GBM
- Events supporting political candidates
- Admission fees
- Transfers to other student groups
- Transfers to campus/academic departments
- Alcohol or illegal items
- Apparel, gifts, or giveaways
- Scholarships, staff/faculty/student salaries
- Tickets of any kind
- Items for personal use (games), personal care/health, or SLG/Greek life dues
- Events occurring on University Holidays
- Events occurring during exam season
- Events occurring in the summer
- Event marketing (online/free options)
Rules and Regulations
- CEF will not fund reservations at the J.B. Duke or Washington Duke and/or The Cookery.
- No extensions will be provided on the application deadline.
- Funds are intended to be used according to the application approval details; fund for one event cannot be used for another event.
- Unused funds will be returned to the appropriate university office at the end of each semester.
- The amount per student organization is up to the discretion of the CEF reviewal committee.
Questions
If you have any questions, call 919-684-6756 or send an e-mail to culturalengagementfund@duke.edu. Thank you for your interest in the Cultural Engagement Fund.