Resources for International Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows
Content:
First point of contact
Recent News
Departmental and institutional support systems
Leaves of absence
Mental health and wellness
Legal counsel
Funding (long term and conference travel)
Financial help (short term)
First point of contact
Duke Visa Services (https://visaservices.duke.edu/)
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Provide support with visa questions, change of visa/ immigrant status, travel related questions and other immigration issues.
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Provide travel signatures for F/J visas (no appointment necessary)
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General email at VisaHelp@mc.duke.edu
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Call : 919-681-8472
International House (https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/ihouse)
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The international house organizes get together of international students and postdocs
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They also organize trips to the DMV and Social Security office and trips to Target for students with lack of access to transportation.
Recent News
Recent Biden Administration Presidential Proclamations Regarding Visas
● Visa Services Operating Status Update
Priorities for US citizens and immigrant visas; wait times for nonimmigrant visas
● Expiration of H-1B Visa Ban
Proclamation 10052 expired on March 31, 2021; H-1B visa applicants may now reapply
● National Interest Exceptions to Proclamation 10052
Exceptions to the H1B visa ban now include medical researchers
● Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services
● Rescission of Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983
See also Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States
Biden Executive Order that ended the Muslim ban
● Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Biden Executive Order that ensures that DACA will continue
Previous Administration Proclamations Suspending Visas
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Suspension of work/entry into US of certain Chinese students and researchers (June 1, 2020)
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Suspension of issuing of new H1B/H2B/J/L work visas through Dec 31, 2020 (June 24, 2020)
Previous Administration Proclamation Summaries - American Immigation Lawyers Association
Departmental and institutional support systems
The Cell Biology Diversity and Inclusion committee
https://www.cellbio.duke.edu/diversity-and-inclusion
Duke Office of Postdoctoral Services
https://postdoc.duke.edu/node/4
Postdoc Resources
https://postdoc.duke.edu/resources
International Students
https://postdoc.duke.edu/resources/international-postdoc-resources
Duke University Postdoc Association (DUPA)
DUPA International Page
https://dukepostdocs.org/international/
The Cell Bio Postdoc Club Organizing Committee 2019-2020
Jen McKey
Katie Baldwin
Boris Tezak
Mira Pronobis
Cell Biology Graduate Student Committee
Eda Erata
Jason Long
Sara Payne
Leaves of absence
Leave of absence information
For graduate students on an F-1 or J-1 visa
https://gradschool.duke.edu/sites/default/files/documents/dgs_manual_ch07.pdf
https://visaservices.duke.edu/categories/f1/five-month-absence
For postdoctoral fellows on an J-1 or H1B visa
https://visaservices.duke.edu/travel/30-day-absence
Mental health and wellness
Duke student Affairs (wellness, emergency)
If you are a graduate or professional student at Duke, Student Affairs is here for you. Almost all of the programs, services and resources offered by Student Affairs are available to graduate and professional students. From health and wellness support to post-degree career planning to exploring cultural diversity to exercising your personal interests through student groups, we've got you covered.” -Web page https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/get-help-student-affairs
Counseling and Psychological Services (https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/caps)“CAPS helps Duke Students enhance strengths and develop abilities to successfully live, grow and learn in their personal and academic lives. We offer many services to Duke undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, including brief individual and group counseling, couples counseling and more. CAPS staff also provide outreach to student groups, particularly programs supportive of at-risk populations, on a wide range of issues impacting them in various aspects of campus life.CAPS is designed as a short-term care clinic. Therefore, we are limited in our ability to provide care for students needing long-term or more open-ended care. There are certain specialized services such as ADD/ADHD and treatment for Substance Use Disorders that are not available through CAPS. We do recognize that several of our students will need longer term or a more specialized type of care and we have a strong network with area community providers for these.” CAPS is currently offering mental telehealth services to all enrolled students (https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/caps/how-we-can-help/bluedevilscare)
Legal counsel
Duke Office of Counsel
Legal Resources (https://ogc.duke.edu/legal-resources)
Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA; https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EMTALA/index)
"EMTALA requires hospital Emergency Departments that accept payments from Medicare to provide an appropriate medical screening examination (MSE) to anyone seeking treatment for a medical condition, regardless of citizenship, legal status, or ability to pay. Participating hospitals may not transfer or discharge patients needing emergency treatment except with the informed consent or stabilization of the patient or when their condition requires transfer to a hospital better equipped to administer the treatment. Because there are very few hospitals that do not accept Medicare, the law applies to nearly all hospitals." -WikipediaNB: Duke Office of Counsel offers counseling re EMTALA; EMTALA can be invoked for emergency medical care by persons regardless of citizenship.
Finding a lawyer in private practice
NC Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (link on page, tel 800 662-7660 or 919 677-8574 American Bar Association (link on page)
Legal Aid of North Carolina (https://www.legalaidnc.org/) "We provide free legal help to low-income North Carolinians in civil cases involving basic human needs like safety, shelter, income and more. We do not handle immigration cases except those involving domestic violence and human trafficking. Fair Housing: We handle cases involving housing discrimination based on race, disability, familial status and more. Learn about our Fair Housing Project. Home, Transportation and More: We can help you retain ownership of your home, car or other form of vital transportation, and other essential property by fighting foreclosures and repossessions, and handling bankruptcies." -Legal Aid of NC web page NB: Legal Aid of NC offers free legal help, but not specifically for visas. They do not state that citizenship is required, but residency in NC appears to be a prerequisite for their providing aid. Other offices are in different states.
Duke Law School
Pro Bono Program (https://law.duke.edu/publicinterest/)
Duke Immigrant and Refugee Project (https://law.duke.edu/publicinterest/studentled/)
Immigration Law (https://law.duke.edu/publicinterest/probono/individual/#immigration)
Legal Referrals in NC (https://law.duke.edu/legalreferrals/) NB: Duke Law Pro Bono Program again offers free legal help, but not specifically for visas. They may consider taking on cases related to the recent 06/01/20 Proclamation, because of the questions regarding its legality and racial bias.
Protestor’s rights
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/us/how-to-protest-safely-know-your-rights-wellness-trnd/index.html
Funding (long term and conference travel)
Postdoctoral fellowships for internationals
| Name | Time after graduation |
| Damon Runyon | < 1 year |
| Life Science Research Foundation | < 5 years after PhD |
| American Heart Association | < 5 years |
| Jane Coffin Child | < 1 year |
| Helen Hay Whitney Foundation | < 1 year |
| Cancer Research | < 5 years, < 3 years in lab |
| Regeneration Next Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship | < 1 year after starting at Duke |
| Human Frontiers Postdoctoral Fellowship | < 3 years (additional requirements may apply) |
| HHMI Hanna H. Gray Postdoctoral Fellowship | Must have degree from US Institute, < 16 months |
| NIH/K99 Pathways to Independence | < 4 years (can be extended for child birth) |
For more country specific fellowships check
Graduate Fellowships for International students
| Name | Eligibility |
| American Heart Association | No citizenship criteria, 1-2 year fellowship. Apply as a 2-3 year and can activate once course requirements are completed (More Info) |
| Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future | Female, citizen of a developing or emerging economy PDF |
| Duke Graduate School fellowships | Many options, these are mostly stipend supplements of $5000 More info |
Travel fellowshipshttps://www.biologists.com/travelling-fellowships/
ASCB travel fellowships for international traineeshttps://www.ascb.org/grants-awards/travel-and-childcare-grants/
Financial help (short term)
Graduate Students
Duke Mutual Aid Facebook Group
Organized by Duke students, for receiving and donating money, food, housing, etc
Graduate and Professional Student Council Emergency Travel Fund
Emergency travel fund by Duke Graduate & Professional Student Council
Graduate & Professional Student Council Community Pantry
Pantry by Duke Graduate & Professional Student Council. Open to all Duke undergraduate, graduate and professional students. A valid Duke student ID is required for entry/program signup. The pantry is stocked with non-perishable food, childcare items, school supplies, and gently used professional clothing.
Department of Biology TAs
“We’re likely to be in need for molecular biology, cell biology, and microbiology. Finally, we’ll be teaching both in-person lab & discussion sections, as well as on-line courses.” -Ron Grunwald, DUS 062020Contact: Anne Lacey (aslzoo@duke.edu) or William F Morris (wfmorris@duke.edu)
Duke Graduate SchoolMedical /Financial Hardship Assistance Program
https://gradschool.duke.edu/financial-support/medical-expense-financial-hardship-assistance-program
“The program gives grants up to $5,000. Requests for exceptions will be considered by the dean of The Graduate School.” -Web siteEligibility: Full-time currently enrolled PhD students, includes international students
Keep Learning - Duke Student Assistance Fund
https://keeplearning.duke.edu/https://studentassistance.duke.edu/
“Applications are now open for funding from the Duke Student Assistance Fund, which has been established to assist undergraduate, graduate and professional students with unexpected and extraordinary expenses related to the disruptions cased by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students may now submit applications for grants using your Net ID at https://studentassistance.duke.edu The fund will be used to assist undergraduate, graduate and professional students throughout the University to help alleviate the burden of unexpected expenses such as airline tickets for relocation, temporary housing, food, and technology for online learning…On Monday, May 18 at 9:00 am, Round 2 of the DSAF application will open and it will cover emergency needs related to COVID-19 through August 30th.“ -Web site