The University Research Foundation (URF) is now accepting applications for the 2026 program with a deadline of September 30, 2025. Projects can begin no sooner than March 2026.  The URF is an intramural funding program that provides up to $75,000 for research support grants and up to $5,000 for conference support grants. The URF provides funding for up to one year for research activities that are expected to lead to external sponsorship and/or peer-reviewed research publications.

Research Grants

The URF provides up to $75,000 for research grant support. The objectives of this program are to: (a) help junior faculty undertake pilot projects that will enable them to successfully apply for extramural sources of funding and aid in establishing their careers as independent investigators; (b) help established faculty perform novel, pioneering research to determine project feasibility and develop preliminary data to support extramural grant applications; (c) provide support in disciplines where extramural support is difficult to obtain and where significant research can be facilitated with internal funding; and (d) provide limited institutional matching funds that are required as part of a successful external peer-reviewed application. 

Conference Support Grants

This program is designed to provide funding (up to $5,000) for meetings and conferences held on Penn’s campus to enhance existing research and scholarly programs, particularly in disciplines where external funding is difficult to obtain. Conferences that promote interdisciplinary and multi-school participation are given priority. 

Disciplinary Areas

Faculty members are invited to submit their research applications to one of four disciplinary areas: humanities, social science & management, natural sciences & engineering, and biomedical science.

Eligibility

Except for the biomedical sciences panel, the URF is open to Penn assistant, associate, and full professors in any track. Note: the biomedical sciences panel limits applications to research grants to assistant and early-stage associate professors only. Instructors and research associates must provide a letter (included within the proposal) from their department chair establishing that the applicant will receive an appointment as an assistant professor by the time of the award (March 2026). Adjunct and emeritus faculty are not eligible to apply. Only one application per PI per cycle. Awards must be expended on University of Pennsylvania facilities, equipment, and/or associated University technical staff and students.

Apply at the Penn InfoReady site at:  https://upenn.infoready4.com/#ovprfunding.

—Office of the Vice Provost for Research