NC Ethics & Lobbying FAQs

North Carolina enacted a series of ethics and lobbying laws that significantly increased the state’s regulation of interactions between Duke personnel and “covered” state officials. Learn about some general guidelines for interacting with state officials.

NC Lobbying Law & State Ethics Act

Review the law governing interactions between representatives of Duke and state officials.

Voting, Political Activity and Engagement with Government Officials Policy

As a non-profit, tax-exempt entity, Duke must abide by federal and state laws regarding political activities, specifically prohibiting the use of its facilities, funds, services, personnel or other resources to support or oppose individuals or organizations campaigning for public office.

Government Relations Activities Policy

Learn more about the University’s official policy for interacting with federal and state officials as a representative of Duke.

Earmarks (Direct Appropriations)

Duke University is committed to excellence in research and hence to competitive peer review in the funding of research. Research funded by earmarks threatens to undermine excellence in research by diverting resources from the peer review process. As a result, the University does not seek or accept direct appropriations except under extraordinary circumstances and with the express permission of the President of the University. Such extraordinary circumstances would include only those in which the President, in consultation with the senior administrative leadership of the University, determined that the proposed project involved inherently unique circumstances that could not be replicated elsewhere. When the case for an exception is considered, the strong presumption must be against the taking of earmarks.