The University announced today the Drawn Down the Lightning grants, a new series of grants in support of the highest aspirations and pressing imperatives named in In Principle and Practice, Penn’s strategic framework.
The name of the grants reflects the call of Benjamin Franklin to “draw down the lightning” to pursue the power of knowledge for the benefit of humanity. Open to any combination of current students, post-doctoral scholars, staff, and faculty—including standing, nonstanding, and emeritus faculty—the grants support two basic funding levels: programs requesting less than $50,000, and programs requesting between $50,000 and $250,000, with program budgets that should extend no longer than two years. Proposals should speak to any combination of In Principle and Practice’s four principles and five practices; applicants are encouraged to be creative and inventive in developing activities, programs, scholarship, and engagement opportunities that will provide a lasting legacy to Penn’s identity and future.
Interim President J. Larry Jameson, Provost John L. Jackson Jr., and Senior Vice President David A. Asch invite the University community to propose projects that help Penn build a better future for the world. Letters of intent are due Oct. 28 and invitations for full proposals will be sent by Nov. 25.
“Penn’s history is a story of innovators, from our founder Benjamin Franklin to Nobel Laureates and leaders in government, business, arts and culture, and nonprofits. The Draw Down the Lightning grants offer a unique opportunity to jumpstart the next great innovation at our esteemed institution and carry Penn—and our world—to new heights,” says Interim President Jameson. “In Principle and Practice asks Penn citizens to reaffirm and build upon our principles of being anchored, interwoven, inventive, and engaged. These grants, hand-in-hand with our creative community, will accomplish just that.”
In Principle and Practice grew out of the work of the Red and Blue Advisory Committee, charged in 2022 to pose the question to the Penn community, “What does the world need from Penn?” The work of the Committee, chaired by Jackson, culminated in the fall 2023 launch of the strategic framework, which aims to energize and align University programming to meet its goals.
“The Red & Blue Committee heard from a wide range of voices,” says Jackson, “and their perspectives deeply shaped the goals of In Principle and Practice. These grants are an exciting new avenue for Penn’s community to further enrich campus life, forge ahead with cross-disciplinary scholarship, and address the leading challenges of our time. We are excited to see what students, faculty, and staff develop.”
Those interested in applying for the Draw Down the Lightning grants can learn more through the initiative’s website, which includes details on the application process and an FAQ. Proposals will be judged by their alignment with In Principle and Practice, the feasibility of the proposed timeline, and how creatively they can provide a distinctive legacy for Penn. Cross-school, -center, and -discipline programs are strongly encouraged.
These new grants join the likes of the University Research Foundation, Projects for Progress, the President’s Innovation Prize, and the President’s Engagement Prize as University funding resources. The University has set aside funding for the Draw Down the Lightning grants through fall 2027.
