Fall 2026 cycle is accepting applications. Proposals are due by October 18, 2026.

APPLICATION FORM Found here

PLEASE NOTE:
*Beginning fall 2026, proposals may only be revised and resubmitted by invitation of the Committee.
*Trent Fund grantees may only apply two years after an award and submission of their final report. For example, if you were awarded a grant in Spring 2024, you would be eligible to apply again in Spring 2026 if you have submitted your final report from the Spring 2024 grant. The Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Endowment Fund is limited and rarely allows for additional funding to Trent grantees.

Please review the refreshed focus area descriptions for eligibility and the FAQs for Committee preferences. See the Proposal Requirements & Reporting Guidelines for more information.

Funding decisions will be announced within 8 weeks of proposal submission. If awarded, funding will be for the period of January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027

Contact by email Joyce Walker Highhouse, Executive Director, or Angela Crews, Administrative Coordinator with any inquiries.

History

The Trent Foundation was established in 1977 by Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans and her second husband, Dr. James H. Semans, to honor the memory of her first husband, Dr. Josiah Charles Trent. Duke University faculty and staff were assisted by seed grants for projects addressing medical history, medical humanities, human sexual function, and international studies. The Trent Foundation awarded 504 grants totaling more than $1.39 million to Duke faculty and staff members. Together with members of the Trent and Semans families, the foundation also established the Josiah Charles Trent Professorship in the History of Medicine and the Josiah Charles Trent Scholar in Medical Humanities at Duke University, to support two of Dr. Trent’s lifelong passions.

With the passing of Ms. Semans, the foundation has transitioned into the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation Endowment Fund. Twice a year, in the spring and the fall, the Fund assists Duke University faculty and staff by providing modest grants.


Areas of Funding

We welcome funding requests of $500 – $10,000 per proposal. Our standard grant period is 12 months with no-cost extensions negotiable if necessary.

Human Sexual Function

Clinical or laboratory research involving human sexuality or reproduction, including psycho biological aspects of sexual function and dysfunction; conditions accompanying pregnancy; in vitro reproductive methods; and dysfunction in human sexuality.

Medical History

Research, publications, and visiting scholars in the field of medical history, fostering the integration of culture into medical education through teaching of the profession’s history.

Medical Ethics and Humanities

Instruction and research in medical philosophy, community health, healthcare systems, treatment, and clinical practice, including support for conferences, lectures, and other scholarly initiatives focused on medical professionalism, the medical humanities, humanism in medicine, and ethical issues in medical and biomedical research.

International Studies

Programs that enhance international engagement and study at Duke University by increasing faculty and student knowledge of other countries and/or deepening cultural exchange, including: conferences, lectures, research, visiting foreign professors, speakers, diplomats, or other experts in world affairs, and other projects that expand Duke’s international programs and curricula. Students are not eligible for funding; however, the Fund supports projects that engage students and encourages them to consider diplomatic careers. The Committee has a preference for funding projects focused on international relations and diplomacy that will have a broad impact on the Duke community.

We do not fund

  • Indirect costs (F&A or G&A)
  • Publication subventions
  • Visiting scholars
  • Grants to students (undergraduates or graduate students)

Select grant awards

Human Sexual Function

  • Emily Cherenack – “Mental health and menopause among women in North Carolina: An analysis of electronic health records

Medical History

  • Rebecca Williams – “Documenting Women at Duke Health: An Oral History Project”

Medical Ethics and Humanities

  • Tsisti Jaji – “Songs of Kin Workshop”

International Studies

  • Anais Delilah Roque – “From Local to Global: Dialogues on the present and future of Food, Energy, and Water Security and its relation to Human Health”
  • Liliana Paredes, Miguel Rojas-Sotelo, Patrick Semmler – “Voices in Motion: Indigenous Languages in Animation Connecting Indigenous communities across Oaxaca and Durham through creative collaboration, intercultural learning, and linguistic justice”

Advice to Applicants

We encourage all applicants to review our recently updated FAQs. Inquiries regarding potential proposals are welcome.

See the Proposal Requirements & Reporting Guidelines for more information.

Contact Joyce Walker Highhouse or Angela Crews.

Trent Foundation Endowment Fund Committee

Founders

Dr. and Mrs. James H. Semans

President

Trent Jones
Ketchum, ID

Committee Members

Ken Harris, J.D.
Matthews, NC

Jon Zeljo
Cincinnati, OH

Kathryn Andolsek, M.P.H., M.D.
Durham, NC

Margaret Humphreys, M.D., Ph.D.
Durham, NC

Jeff Baker, M.D., Ph.D.
Durham, NC

Erika Weinthal, Ph.D.
Durham, NC

Staff

Joyce Walker Highhouse, Ed.D.
Executive Director

Kylie Meyer Snyder
Assistant Director

Emily Long
Stewardship Coordinator

Angela Crews
Administrative Coordinator