FAQs

Duke University and Stanford University launched the Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement Program (ACE) in Spring 2015 to provide student-athletes with opportunities for immersive civic engagement experiences. The program ran as a collaboration between Duke and Stanford until 2023 when ACE transitioned into a Duke-only program for student-athletes under the Rubenstein Student-Athlete Civic Engagement Program. Recognizing the challenge for student-athletes to participate in many of the offered campus programs, Duke Athletics is meeting this need by providing student-athletes greater access to global experiential education opportunities through ACE.

Funded by the support of David Rubenstein and Duke Athletic ticket sales, ACE enables partner organizations to work with student-athletes to create projects that serve community needs while providing full funding for them to participate in these endeavors. Each summer approximately 35-40 Duke ACE student-athletes participate in international group programs with service themes like education, coaching, environmental sustainability and conservation, and more.

Want to know more about ACE? Read more about the ACE program’s history and mission.

For Summer 2025, ACE will offer three program options for participating student-athletes. Read more about ACE Summer 2025 program offerings.

Civic engagement is action undertaken at the request of a community partner that is designed to identify and address issues of public concern.  This definition may incorporate everything from traditional service work to non-partisan political participation and includes both direct service — or “hands-on” work — and “capacity building” activities.

For 2025, student-athletes are eligible to participate in one of three international, in-person service programs. Student-athletes will have the opportunity to serve in areas such as coaching and physical fitness, public health, education, environmental and marine conservation, sustainable development, and more.

During their ACE program, participants will live, train, and serve together onsite. Participants will engage in community-driven service programs, participate in reflection, and learn about the local community and culture through a variety of immersion, enrichment, and cultural exchange activities. Volunteer-sending organizations (VSOs) collaborate with ACE staff to develop and operate all programs.

ACE differs from study-abroad programs as it is a co-curricular experience, meaning participants do not receive academic credit for their involvement in ACE. For more information on credit-bearing study-away opportunities at Duke, please visit the Duke Global Education Office website.

ACE funds all program-related expenses for participants, including without limit, expenses for:

• pre-departure visit to the Duke Student Health Travel Clinic (as well as required vaccines and recommended prescription medications)
• visa acquisition through the Duke visa expeditor
• airfare to and from the program location
• on-site transportation, meals, accommodations, & gym facilities (if available)
• incidentals

ACE covers the expenses charged by the volunteer-sending organizations (VSOs) for each participant.

Please note that students are responsible for covering the following costs:

• The cost of applying for or renewing your passport.
• Ground transportation to and from your originating airport.

Program dates are set well in advance and must be adhered to by student-athletes.  Each ACE program will have its own respective start and end dates and daily schedule that apply to participating student-athletes. Student-athletes may not arrive late or leave early from their program site.

• The first program session starts after spring semester finals end at Duke (early May) and before Summer Session I starts (mid-May).
• The second program session starts in mid-June and ends before Summer Session II starts.
• The final program session starts after Summer Session I classes have ended (late June/early July).

This enables all student-athletes, regardless of summer school commitments, to have a program that works in their schedule.  The specific program session dates are picked with input from the coaches and athletic department staff each year to ensure that the greatest number of student-athletes can participate. Participants are not allowed to make any other commitments (including employment, volunteering, or classes) that interfere with full participation in their ACE program session.

Specific start and end dates and a daily schedule are described on each program profile’s page.

For Summer 2025, ACE is offering three program sessions of different lengths which include a one, two, and three-week program option. Each program is designed carefully so that participants have time to build relationships with their ACE team and community partners, learn about the community they are serving and contribute to community-based projects. In addition, student-athlete participants engage in extensive pre-program preparation before departure as well as intentional back-on-campus programming when they return in the fall.

Post-program, ACE staff guide student-athletes in transforming their insights into actionable steps, empowering them to make a lasting impact in their communities and the world around them. There are a multitude of ways to continue reflecting on the experience when participants return to campus and this is an incredibly important part of the ACE experience. To learn more about the extensive programming and support that happens post-program, please visit the back-on-campus programs page.

Eligibility to apply for and participate in the ACE Program is open to active NCAA Duke varsity student-athletes who will have completed two semesters of classes by the start of their ACE program. In addition:

• During the ACE program, a student-athlete cannot be on active disciplinary probation.
• If a student-athlete has entered the transfer portal and is deemed not to intend to continue on the team, participation in ACE is not allowed unless the student-athlete has received prior approval from Duke.
• After completing the ACE experience, a student-athlete must have at least one semester back on campus and intend to return to their team after they complete their ACE experience, as one of the primary goals of the program is for the campus community to benefit from the shared experience of participants.

Student-athletes may participate in only one, funded in-person ACE experience; however, ACE participants who participated in one of the ACE in Place virtual programs are eligible to apply for one of the Summer 2025 ACE in-person programs provided the student meets all ACE eligibility requirements for Summer 2025.

No, ACE staff and program leaders will provide language suggestions and any other relevant prerequisites, which will be identified in program profile descriptions. Applicants are not expected to possess all of the suggested languages or other skills/knowledge mentioned in the program profile. Instead, ACE applicants should demonstrate an interest or curiosity to learn more and expand their skills.

If you are scheduled to graduate in May 2025 and will not be returning to campus for at least one semester after your ACE program, you are not eligible to participate.

Student-athletes accepted to ACE are asked to submit a statement of intent to participate within a week of receiving notification from the ACE office. If you are accepted and choose not to participate, simply decline the offer by the deadline, and you will be eligible to apply again in the future. If you do submit a statement of intent to participate and later withdraw, you will be ineligible in future application cycles.

Any students who participated in one of the ACE in Place virtual summer 2021, 2022, or 2023 programs are welcome and encouraged to re-apply for Summer 2025 in-person programs if you still meet all Summer 2025 ACE eligibility requirements. If you are scheduled to graduate in May before the ACE program starts and will not be returning to campus for at least one semester after your ACE program, you are not eligible to participate.

No. Student-athletes may participate in only one, funded in-person ACE experience.

You must begin the process of applying for a passport before submitting your ACE application. You will be asked to list the date you applied for your passport on your ACE application. . Acceptance into ACE is contingent upon possession of a passport valid for 6 months past the first day of classes of the next academic year. If you are accepted, you must have a valid passport by the time you are accepted into your ACE program on February 26, 2025. Your passport must contain at least two blank pages (not including amendment pages).

For information about how to apply for or renew a passport, visit the US Passports and International Travel Website.

Yes. You are eligible to apply and participate in ACE.

Yes. All participants in the ACE program are required to have the Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP) or to have a comparable U.S.-based policy of comprehensive health and accident insurance that covers injuries and illnesses sustained during or as a consequence of participating in the ACE program. This insurance must be valid at least through the beginning of the next academic school year. ACE does not provide or pay for health insurance for participants.

Recommended vaccinations and medications vary by program location and year. However, as part of any ACE program, all student-athletes are required to visit Duke Student Health for a pre-travel health visit in which they will receive recommended vaccinations and travel prescriptions. The cost of any medical care during or post-program is solely the responsibility of the student and their provided insurance.

Though it is relatively simple to stay in touch with friends and family in all the programs, ACE encourages minimizing the time spent on electronic devices and social media. While you are permitted to bring your own cell phone, camera, laptop, etc. to the program, ACE is not liable for any damaged, lost or stolen items during the program. We encourage you to talk with your family before departure to agree on a personal communication plan – how often you will check in, by what means, etc.

Each program has a different on-the-ground communication plan based on length and location. You will receive guidance on in-country communications during your pre-departure orientation.

All ACE participants will have regular internet and wi-fi access throughout the program; however, please be aware that internet service and wi-fi may be more limited and slower than what you may be used to at home or on campus. You will be able to use internet-based messaging and apps like WhatsApp to stay in contact.

To find out more about communication resources available at each program site, please visit the program profile page to learn more.

As part of the program, ACE participants are provided and booked with a simple, round-trip airline ticket to their program site from an origination city of their choice. Learn more about booking flights and other helpful travel FAQs.

Each ACE program location is run by a volunteer-sending organization (VSO).  Staff from the organization are on-the-ground and available 24/7 to participants.

Your safety is a program priority. Before participating in ACE, all participants are required to attend virtual and in-person preparation meetings that cover general and site-specific health and safety information. The ACE home office works closely with the Duke Office of Global Health and Safety (OGHS) to support student health and safety concerns, before and during your ACE program. During the summer while ACE programs are in operation, the OGHS-staffed Emergency number (+1-919-452-9546) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and accepts phone calls, texts, and WhatsApp messages in case of emergency. In addition, Duke contracts with International SOS (ISOS), a medical and travel security assistance company, to provide worldwide assistance and evacuation services to protect students while they are on Duke-sponsored programs that take place outside of the US. For more information about the services provided by ISOS, please consult Duke Travel Assistance.

An emergency contact card, which includes the OGHS emergency hotline (staffed 24/7 during the summer), Duke’s ISOS membership number, and the International SOS phone number, is provided to you at the pACE meeting and to your parent or guardian via email. For more information on other precautions to ensure your health and safety, read our Families FAQs.

The schedule planned for ACE participants is quite full and has been thoughtfully put together to make the most of your time in the country. Therefore, participants can expect to have limited free time. You must participate in the required volunteer service and enrichment and reflection activities throughout the program.  Participants are not allowed to make any other commitments of time, including employment, volunteering or classes that would interfere with any scheduled ACE activities.

In addition, participants may not independently travel to locations that are not part of the ACE Session itinerary. This includes no personal travel or travel outside of the host country. You may not invite or encourage non-ACE participants to join you in or at the location of the ACE Session. Learn more about booking flights and other helpful travel FAQs.

During the program, participants are not allowed to participate in any high-risk activities, such as, water activities/sports (both watercraft and swimming/diving), activities involving animals (e.g. horseback riding, handling animals, etc.), extreme/adventure sports-type activities (e.g. rock climbing, paragliding, zip lining, etc.), and driving or riding vehicles (e.g. scooters, ATVs, etc.). Please note that this list is not exhaustive. You are required to report any injuries or illnesses to on-site staff immediately who share this information with ACE staff for follow-up. In addition, alternative modes of transportation such as mini‐scooters, Vespas, rickshaws, horses, motorbikes, bicycles, etc. are not permitted. For more information on other precautions to ensure your health and safety, read our Families FAQs.

Training facilities vary based on location but are described on the sports performance page and in detail on each program’s profile page. If you have further questions, talk with ACE staff. While the program’s primary purpose is to serve and engage with your community partner, each program site has dedicated time in the daily schedule for training (often at the beginning or end of the day). Be mindful that some program sites have expectations around culturally appropriate dress when exercising. You are encouraged to talk with your strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, and sports performance coaches about what training facilities and equipment you may need and how to modify workouts if needed.  Participants are encouraged to create a training plan before departure.

ACE staff work closely with Duke Athletics Sports Nutrition and on-site staff to ensure student-athletes fueling needs are met throughout their program. You are encouraged to meet with nutrition staff before departure for a one-on-one consult regarding any concerns and to create a fueling plan. All ACE participants are provided with resources provided by Duke Athletics Sports Nutrition including a packing list and how to build a healthy plate based on locally available foods.

In general, most dietary restrictions and preferences can be accommodated at each program site.  If you have any specific concerns, please get in touch with the ACE office, aceathletes@duke.edu, for more information.

You will need to present a compelling case for yourself, including your past work and volunteer experiences, your classwork, and goals. It will take you several hours to develop your thoughts and answer all of the questions. We do not recommend waiting until the last minute to start your application; ideally, you should start your application as soon as you have determined that you plan to apply to the ACE program. As with any other written assignment, starting well ahead of the deadline will give you time to organize your thoughts, draft, revise, edit, and submit your best work. Applications are not accepted after the deadline. You should prepare to submit your application ahead of this time and not wait until the last minute.

To complete your application, you will need your passport as well as contact information for your head/assistant/position coach and your parent or guardian. Gathering this information before you start your application can help streamline your application preparations.

If you have applied to ACE in previous years, please do not copy your exact answers from your other application(s). While you may write about the same themes and experiences that you used in your previous application(s), we expect that you will take the time to update your responses to reflect the growth and added perspective you have developed over the past year(s).

Learn more about preparing to apply to participate in an ACE program.

ACE programs take place throughout the summer starting in May through mid-July. Program dates and daily time commitments are set well in advance and must be adhered to by student-athletes. As you decide which program(s) are the best fit, we encourage you to consider any summer school obligations, team or training requirements, potential competitions, etc. that might have an impact on which dates you can participate. All students must participate in pre-program training and meetings that occur between March and June (depending on program dates).

Yes. The ACE application requires a head/assistant/position coach to submit a short, online endorsement. When you start an ACE application, you will be asked to provide the name and email address of your head/assistant/position coach.

You are encouraged to talk with your coaches and your academic coordinator about your program session options to ensure that you are considering all academic, competition, and training requirements . ACE participants are expected to be excellent representatives of their team and committed to being a student-athlete throughout their time on campus.

On the application, students must list their top program choice(s) and indicate if they want to be considered for any available program.

From November to January, ACE will hold information sessions and meet ‘n greets. Notifications will be announced on our website and social media and via Duke Athletic Department communication channels.

If you’d like to draft your application outside of the ACE application portal, we highly recommend that you use a text document like TextPad (in Microsoft). Using Word may create copy-and-paste issues with punctuation and quotation marks. We still recommend that you save your work regularly, and that you allow ample time ahead of the submission deadline to transfer your application. You may not submit a text document or email in lieu of an application.

Due to the number of applications that ACE receives, not every student-athlete who applies will be invited for an interview. Interviews can take place any time during the application review period and may be conducted via in-person or Zoom. In addition, some of the partner provider organizations may also conduct an interview or ask applicants for additional information to help with project placement or skills assessment. Not all programs will conduct interviews at the same time, nor will they send out all of the interview invitations at the same time.

Your chances of being accepted increase when you explain in your application how the specific ACE program location(s) you are applying for match your skills and interests.   Have you demonstrated through athletic participation, coursework, and/or co-curricular activities that you will be a strong contributor? Are you a good team member of upstanding character? All class years are encouraged and welcome to apply. Come to ACE information sessions and meet ‘n greets to help inform your choices. Read more about the criteria the selection committee uses to determine which applicants are the best fit for the ACE program.

Each year, all deadlines and dates are posted on our website. ACE sends acceptance notifications to student-athletes via an email to their duke.edu address approximately one month after the application deadline.

As part of the application process, you will ask your head/assistant/position coach for a endorsement.  As you are thinking about applying, we encourage you to communicate with your coach(es) about your decision to apply and any other factors you should take into consideration.  Once you are accepted into ACE, your head coach will be notified.

You are required to complete all pre-program registration requirements including visa and vaccination requirements (as applicable to your program). You must also complete all online trainings, pre-departure meetings, and ACE surveys by the posted deadlines. You can read more about program expectations and the pre-program requirements on the website.

No. If you remain an active NCAA varsity student-athlete in good standing and meet all other ACE eligibility requirements, we welcome you to re-apply the next application cycle.

You may email ACE program staff to ask how you might be able to build a better application for the future.

You may not participate in ACE and DukeEngage during the same summer. If you have participated in DukeEngage in a previous year, you are eligible to apply to ACE for an upcoming summer.

If you accept an offer from DukeEngage to participate in a group program for the upcoming summer, you are ineligible to participate in ACE in the same summer. Conversely, if you accept an offer to participate in ACE for the upcoming summer, you are ineligible to participate in DukeEngage in the same summer. Please refer to the DukeEngage website for specific eligibility and application requirements and key program dates.

Yes. Student-athletes can do both Duke Summer Session I or II and participate in an ACE program. The first program session starts after spring semester finals end at Duke (early May) and before Summer Session I starts (mid-May). The second program session starts in mid-June and ends before Summer Session II starts. And the final program session starts after Summer Session I classes have ended (late June/early July). This enables all student-athletes, regardless of summer school commitments, to have at least one program that works in their schedule.

If you voluntarily withdraw from the ACE Program after signing the Participation Agreement and committing to the program, you and your parent or guardian agree that you will fully reimburse Duke for all costs incurred by Duke to support your participation in the ACE Session, including without limitation, the cost of airline tickets, hotel reservations, admission to events or places and transportation.  For international programs, the total cost including airfare, program expenses, pre-health travel expenses, etc. could be between $5,000-$8,000.

In addition to the financial considerations, we want to emphasize the significant impact of a withdrawal on the ACE team and the community partner project. Your commitment plays a crucial role in the program’s success and withdrawing likely results in an empty spot that we cannot fill. This not only affects the dynamics within your ACE program team but can also impact the success of the community partner project, as each ACE participant has an important contribution and role to play. We take commitment seriously and encourage all participants to consider the broader impact on their ACE team and community partners when making these decisions.

Finally, participants who withdraw after the deadline are ineligible to apply to future years of ACE.