Fall 2025 cycle is CLOSED the deadline was Oct. 24, 2025.
See the Proposal Requirements & Reporting Guidelines for more information.
The deadline was October 24, 2025.
Contact by email Joyce Walker Highhouse, Executive Director, or Kylie Snyder, Assistant Director 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. A second request for the same proposal has a diminished chance of funding. 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, with emphasis on the psycho biological aspect of sexual function and dysfunction.
Medical History
Research projects, conferences, speakers, etc. in the area of medical history.
Medical Ethics and Medical Humanities
Conferences, speakers, or research on ethical issues in the fields of medical and biomedical research, treatment and practice, and in the areas of medical professionalism, as well as medical humanities and humanism in medicine.
International Studies
The Fund’s international studies grant-making is intended to support programs that enhance international engagement and study at Duke University by increasing faculty and student knowledge of other countries and/or deepening cultural exchange. To this end, the Fund supports conferences, lectures, research, and other projects that will have a broad impact on the Duke community. The Committee has a preference for funding projects focused on international relations and diplomacy. Although students are not eligible for direct funding, we encourage projects that engage students in significant ways and encourage them to consider diplomatic careers.
What we do not fund
The Fund does not support indirect costs (F&A or G&A), or publication subventions and generally will not support visiting scholars. Neither undergraduates nor graduate students are eligible to apply for grants.
Advice to Applicants
We welcome and encourage inquiries regarding potential proposals..
Contact Joyce Walker Highhouse or Kylie Snyder for information.
See the Proposal Requirements & Reporting Guidelines for more information.
Trent Foundation Endowment Fund Committee
Founders
Dr. and Mrs. James H. Semans
President
Josiah C.T. Lucas
Charlotte, NC
Committee Members
Trent Jones
Ketchum, ID
Ken Harris
Matthews, NC
Kathryn Andolsek, M.D.
Durham, NC
Margaret Humphreys, M.D.
Durham, NC
Rebecca Stein, Ph.D.
Durham, NC
Erika Weinthal, Ph.D.
Durham, NC
Staff
Joyce Walker Highhouse, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Kylie Meyer Snyder
Assistant Director
Angela Crews
Administrative Coordinator