The following programs provide funding for SMIF User Fees:
Duke University Users
SUUP:
The SMIF Undergraduate User Program (SUUP) provides a hands-on research experience to enable Duke University undergraduate students to access the cleanroom, materials characterization, and imaging capabilities of SMIF. SUUP provides funds to cover up to $2000 total in SMIF user fees through the end of the current fiscal year (June 30th). The SUUP program supports undergraduate students who are performing research under faculty members in the Pratt School of Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and the School of Medicine. More information and instructions for applying for these funds can be downloaded here.
Class Based Explorations:
Duke University Faculty are encouraged to use SMIF capabilities as part of the undergraduate classroom learning experience. Under this program, the use of SMIF for classroom learning comes at no cost to the instructor. This program enables undergraduate students to get hands-on experience in fabricating devices in the SMIF cleanroom and imaging or characterizing materials and structures in SMIF’s characterization labs. More information can be downloaded here.
SMIF Voucher Program:
The Vice Provost for Research funds a SMIF Voucher Program to give Duke University investigators the opportunity to utilize SMIF's services for research that is not yet externally funded, yet has high probability for external funding with results obtained utilizing SMIF resources. This program offers vouchers in amounts ranging from $500 to $6,000, redeemable for SMIF fees. For more information contact Chris Freel, Associate Vice Provost for Research at christopher.freel@duke.edu.
External Users
Kickstarter Program:
The Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN) has established a fund to allow members of the nanotechnology and greater scientific communities, who would otherwise not have the financial resources, to use RTNN facilities. The RTNN encourages applications from high school and community college science and engineering students and educators, researchers from non-traditional disciplines, users from underrepresented groups, academic users who are at a non-Research-1 university and may have limited access to facilities and/or research funding, and industrial users who for some reason do not have funds or have start-up projects with highly innovative potential. More information and instructions for applying for these funds can be found here.