Approach
A successful engagement requires the client and student team work in close partnership. To this end, FCCP strives to match the business needs of potential client organizations with the interests and qualifications of the students.
The first step is for a manager in your organization to complete an application, which asks for a brief profile of your organization and the problems for which you are seeking FCCP assistance. The deadline is September 21 for the 2022-23 academic year. Once your application is submitted, the FCCP faculty directors will work to try to match your needs with our students’ interests and skills. If your application is accepted, a team of three to five MBA students will be assigned to your project.
Once selected, managers from your organization meet with the student team typically in December to further discuss the problems to be addressed. Building on this discussion, the student team will develop a problem definition (work scope) memo which will be jointly signed-off by the client and the student team.
The student team will then work with your organization to specify and carry out the activities required to complete the agreed upon scope of the engagement. You should expect to meet with the student team five to eight times across the engagement.
An oral presentation and a written report detailing the team’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations will be prepared and delivered to the client organization by no later than the end of the students’ academic year in April and in some cases sooner (as agreed to with the client). Active participation of the relevant leaders in your organization in the final presentation is expected, as it will allow the students to assess your reactions and you will benefit more from the exchange of ideas.
Application
Application forms exist for different types of organizations. Links for each of the current forms are provided on the right side of this page. The primary information requested in the different application forms is the same and includes:
- Business name, description and contact information
- Summary data on organizational size (# of employees and revenues)
- Identification of organizational goals – short term and long term
- Description of specific problems for which you are seeking FCCP assistance
- Anticipated managerial commitment in support of the FCCP project
If you are interested in participating as a client organization, please submit your application. You may also email fccp@fuqua.duke.edu if you have any questions about our application process.
Administrative Fees
The main difference among the application forms pertains to the administrative fee associated with the FCCP. Consistent with Fuqua’s mission to educate leaders for business and non-profit organizations, FCCP has a fee structure that offers entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations the opportunity to engage master’s level students, supported by Fuqua’s faculty and research resources, which would otherwise not be affordable to these organizations.
To qualify as an entrepreneur, small business or non-profit, your organization must either have annual revenues of less than $5 million US, fewer than 50 employees, or be a qualified, tax-exempt organization.
Engagement Travel
Over the last few years, Fuqua’s practicum students have been increasingly engaged by organizations seeking assistance in international locations. As projects requiring student travel within the US or internationally do incur additional costs; FCCP faculty directors will work closely with your organization to understand and assist you in planning for those needs.
Confidentiality
All engagements conducted under the FCCP are done in strict confidence. No confidential information is released to the student consultants until a team is assigned and each student has signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Faculty and student teaching assistants involved with the project also sign the Non-Disclosure Agreement. We recognize the sensitivity of your marketing and financial information, and we emphasize confidentiality.