The University of Pennsylvania is announcing a new grant initiative, Draw Down the Lightning, to advance its strategic framework, In Principle and Practice. In Principle and Practice is Penn’s focus on tomorrow. Developed around the question, “What does the world need from Penn?” it reflects Penn’s highest aspirations and more pressing imperatives. The fall 2023 launch of this strategic framework energized and aligned University programming to meet these goals.

In Benjamin Franklin’s words, “draw down the lightning” was a call to pursue the power of knowledge for the benefit of humanity. Through a series of Draw Down the Lightning grants, Penn aims to energize activity around Penn’s highest aspirations and pressing imperatives.

The Office of the President and Office of the Provost invite the Penn community to propose projects that will advance In Principle and Practice, reflect the University’s distinctive identity and values, and help Penn build a better future for the world.

Proposals may come from any combination of students, staff, and faculty, and can be directed toward any combination of the four principles and five practices of the strategic framework. In particular, proposals should articulate a project that focuses on one or more of the following: (1) accelerating interdisciplinarity; (2) a focus on major challenges around climate, health, data, and/or truth and democracy; (3) strengthening community; (4) deepening engagement with local, regional, and global partners; and, (5) fostering leadership and service. For example, programs could:

• Create a new undergraduate or graduate degree program investigating great challenges of our time
• Establish a new and enduring partnership with the City of Philadelphia to address a deep challenge or an exciting opportunity
• Support truth over disinformation
• Implement other initiatives consistent with In Principle and Practice

This solicitation is not intended to support individual research projects, but to expand areas of scholarship, advance community service or engagement, promote civil discourse and enrich campus life—or anything else reflected in In Principle and Practice that can better equip Penn to serve its missions. The breadth of this solicitation is meant to encourage creativity and inventiveness, and to originate programs that will cultivate a lasting legacy to Penn’s identity and future.

Penn has set aside $2 million through the fall of 2027 to fund these initiatives, with the expectation that successful programs will, in general, receive in-kind support from originating schools, centers, and departments or additional financial support to supplement these central funds.

Grants will be awarded in two basic funding levels: [1] programs requesting less than $50,000; [2] programs requesting between $50,000 and $250,000. Program budgets should not exceed two years, though most will be one year.

The program follows a two-stage application. Interested applicants should submit a short letter of intent here. Those with promising ideas will be invited to submit a slightly more extensive proposal. General program information, submission instructions, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and where to go with questions are available on the initiative website, which also includes a list of frequently asked questions.  

Proposals will be judged by their alignment with In Principle and Practice, the feasibility of their proposed timeline, and how creatively they can provide a distinctive legacy for Penn. Programs that cross schools, centers, and disciplines are strongly encouraged. This year’s application deadline for initial proposals is October 28, 2024. The final grant awards are expected to be given in March 2025. Questions should be directed to Eugene Vaynberg at eugenev@upenn.edu.