Impact of research

What kinds of research does Penn conduct? What are some of Penn’s most notable discoveries and innovations?

At Penn, our research spans virtually every discipline—from the life sciences and medicine to engineering, business, social policy, education, and the humanities. What makes Penn distinctive is the way we work across disciplines, which is helped by our interconnected campus. Our researchers collaborate across schools and specialties, which leads to groundbreaking ideas with practical applications. With experts in all stages of research and development—from theory to policy, to bench research, analytics, business, and entrepreneurship, all in one place—Penn is ideally set up to translate concepts into tangible new medicines, technologies, or processes for the benefit of society. Some of Penn’s most transformative discoveries have truly changed the world.

The best-known recent example is the foundational mRNA technology behind the COVID-19 vaccines—work led by Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó. But that’s just one example. Penn researchers have also pioneered new approaches in CAR T cell therapy to treat cancer, created life-changing assistive robotic devices, developed new protections against chemical warfare, offered critical insights into the Higgs boson and the search for dark matter—and so much more.

How do Penn researchers secure funding, and what is the role of government grants versus private sources?

Most research at Penn is funded through a combination of federal grants, philanthropic support, and the University’s general operating budget. Agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Department of Defense are crucial sources of support.

In 2024, we received over $1 billion in total awards from government sources, making up nearly 70% of Penn’s total research awards. These grants are highly competitive, and Penn is consistently ranked among the top recipients nationally. 

Private foundations and individual donors play an increasingly vital role—especially in supporting high-risk, high-reward ideas that may not qualify for federal funding, or in helping early career researchers as they launch their work. Philanthropy enables us to pursue bold questions and explore the frontiers of visionary thinking. Suppose we experience a decline in federal funding. In that case, private philanthropy will become more important than ever.

What happens when research funding is disrupted or withheld? Can’t Penn use its endowment to replace federal research funding?

Penn’s endowment supports a wide range of priorities—including student financial aid, faculty positions, and academic programs—and over over 90% of our endowment funds are legally restricted to specific purposes. It’s not a general fund that can be used to cover research shortfalls

When federal research funding is delayed or frozen, as we have experienced this year, the impact is immediate. Promising projects stall as labs have to scale back, delay hiring, or stop critical experiments. It can legitimately harm the scientific integrity of the research. These interruptions can have a lasting effect, particularly for early career researchers, including Ph.D. students, whose career trajectories may be altered as a result. Sustained, reliable funding is what allows research to progress—and ultimately, to deliver real benefits to society.

What areas at Penn have already been impacted by federal funding freezes?

This year, we’ve seen significant delays and disruptions in federal funding from multiple agencies. Several of our schools, including the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Arts & Sciences, had to reduce the number of admitted Ph.D. students. Our medical research areas have been hit hard, and so have other critical fields, including climate-related studies, AI, social policy and law, and public health initiatives—areas that are not only timely but deeply important to communities here and around the globe.

Even brief funding gaps can ripple across labs and research centers, putting momentum at risk. Long-term funding reductions will negatively impact our country’s global competitiveness and societal well-being for decades to come.

How does the research done at Penn contribute in tangible ways to society?

Penn research changes and saves lives every day. As I mentioned, our medical research provided the blueprint for the COVID-19 vaccines, and we have developed new therapies that are improving outcomes for cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and other common, deadly human conditions. Our engineers have developed building materials that absorb carbon from the air to combat climate change. Our social scientists are helping to shape better approaches to combatting poverty, providing education, and ensuring justice. Our research also drives tremendous economic growth—generating startups, attracting industry partners, and training the next generation of innovators. In the 2024 fiscal year alone, Penn had over $2 billion in R&D expenditures, which not only includes external funding like federal sources but philanthropic giving and Penn’s own financial investment in its research as well. That’s a direct investment in better health, stronger communities, and a more informed, resilient society.

How can donors help support Penn research initiatives?

Donors are essential to our ability to drive innovation, never more so than now, when federal funding streams are in doubt. Research is expensive: It takes funds to pay our top research minds, maintain up-to-date lab facilities, purchase materials, and provide necessary support for all the stages of research and development. If alumni or others want to help ensure the strength of Penn’s research engine, the best way is to make a gift either to an unrestricted fund at the school of their choice, such as the Dean’s Discretionary Fund, or give directly to an area of research that is of particular interest. Endowed support or short-term support is equally helpful at this moment.