Advancing Discovery. Accelerating Impact. Improving Health for All.
For more than 20 years, Duke’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) has helped transform scientific discovery into real-world health solutions. By bringing together researchers, clinicians, and communities, CTSI ensures that breakthroughs move faster — from the lab to the clinic to the people who need them most.
Philanthropic support fuels CTSI’s ability to launch bold ideas, build trust with communities, and prepare the next generation of translational scientists. With your partnership, we can accelerate innovation and improve health outcomes locally and globally.
Why Give to CTSI?
CTSI is more than a research institute — it is a driver of bold, cross-disciplinary innovation and a national model for transforming health care.
With donor and seed investments, CTSI has delivered:
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$580 million in downstream funding (more than 50x return on investment)
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60+ patents and intellectual property filings
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22+ startup companies
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Durable, trusted partnerships with communities across North Carolina and beyond
Many of today’s most urgent health challenges require new ways of working across science, medicine, communities, and policy. Your gift helps CTSI unlock the full potential of Duke’s biomedical enterprise — supporting discoveries that no single lab, department, or health system could achieve alone.
We often find that prospective partners come to us with a desire to make a difference, even if the exact pathway isn’t yet clear. That’s where we begin.
Opportunities to Partner with CTSI
Philanthropic investment through the CTSI Bold Ideas Fund will deliver immediate impact while building the foundation for more precise and accessible health care for years to come. Your support of CTSI will advance the groundbreaking work of several initiatives:
Many diseases remain difficult to diagnose and treat due to limited and non-representative genetic data — particularly for women and underrepresented populations. This initiative aims to close that gap by advancing inclusive, AI-powered genomic and personalized medicine.
Funding priority:
Gifts will help build a sustainable, scalable infrastructure that improves outcomes and reduces disparities in care.
BEACON brings together education, infrastructure, and tools to expand the health care AI workforce while improving equity and outcomes. This initiative includes:
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An AI and Health Equity Center
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The TRUST AI curriculum
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An AI-driven workforce planning hub
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Equitable AI tools for clinical research
Funding priority:
Gifts will help pilot programs, build infrastructure, and position Duke as a national leader in equitable health AI.
This initiative addresses critical access gaps in U.S. health care by developing low-cost, home-based, AI-enabled monitoring and intervention technologies. The goal is to improve care for rural residents, homebound older adults, and others who face barriers to traditional health systems.
Funding priority:
Gifts will help develop and pilot the HOMEBASE platform.
Nearly half of U.S. teens experience mental health challenges, yet a shortage of providers leaves many without care. CTSI is developing a scalable, data-driven framework for early identification and intervention to improve youth mental health nationwide.
Funding priority:
Gifts will help expand existing efforts, support pilot implementation, and build national infrastructure.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Do you want to make a difference in human health but aren't sure where to start? Are you passionate about a specific disease or population but haven't found the right partner to turn that passion into impact?
CTSI leads with listening. We work with partners to design investments that reflect their priorities while driving measurable change — wherever their interests lie. Together, we can advance discovery, accelerate impact, and improve health for the people who need it most.
Reach out to Jane Tandler today to start the conversation.
Contact Us
Learn more about supporting CTSI and discuss giving opportunities. We look forward to connecting with you!
Jane Tandler, MS, MPH
Director of Development, Special Initiatives
Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs
jane.tandler@duke.edu
919-385-3139