Penn Engineering

Penn Engineering Futures Fund

Purpose and Vision

The Penn Engineering Futures Fund catalyzes high-impact research and innovation by turning early ideas into major external successes — large grants, research centers, startups and partnerships. The Fund invests strategically in amplification, where small, timely awards yield transformative results.

Building on Penn Engineering’s Big Ideas, the Futures Fund is not an emergency or bridge fund, but rather a catalyst for forward-looking initiatives in areas that include (but are not limited to):

  • Human Health
  • Physical Intelligence
  • Sustainable Infrastructure
  • Chips and Advanced Materials
  • AI and Data-Driven Systems

Request for Proposals

Spring 2026

The Penn Engineering Futures Fund invites proposals for strategic seed funding to catalyze high-impact research and innovation. This initiative supports faculty-driven projects positioned to attract major external funding, advance translational outcomes and align with Penn Engineering’s strategic priorities.

Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 9, 2026.

Information and Instructions

These grants are open to Penn Engineering faculty (collaborations are encouraged but not required). Project proposals must address the “Why Penn?” question, answering why Penn Engineering is ideal for this work. Applications from faculty who have submitted Big Ideas to the School are strongly encouraged.

Typical awards will be $10,000 – $100,000 per year for up to 2 years.

Top Priority:

  • Ph.D. student support for strategic research initiatives

High Priority:

  • Postdocs or translational fellows accelerating prototypes, startups or partnerships
  • Early-stage work toward large grant submissions or research consortia
  • Translational prototypes, IP filings or startup development
  • Cross-disciplinary collaborations with amplification potential
  • Bridge-to-impact efforts linking research to deployment

  • Must be led by Penn Engineering faculty.
  • Proposals must demonstrate clear alignment with the School’s strategic priorities.
  • Projects should have translational impact potential.
  • Strong proposals with clear, achievable goals and deliverables are required.
  • Ph.D. tuition and fees will be covered by the School. No overhead will be charged.

Submission Format:

  • Proposals must be submitted via this form. Please note that you must be signed in with your SEAS Google account to submit the form and that there are character limits for each section.

Required Elements:

  • Vision and Rationale: What problem are you addressing and why does it matter? Highlight your alignment with Penn Engineering 2030‘s priorities and national funding opportunities (NSF Engines, DARPA, DOE, CHIPS, NIH).
  • Planned Activities and Timeline: What will you accomplish and when? Include anticipated deliverables.
  • Amplification Pathway: How will this lead to major external funding or translational outcomes?
  • Why Penn: What unique Penn Engineering capabilities make this work possible here?
  • (Optional) Justification: Articulate why this cannot be funded through usual channels.
  • Tentative Budget with justification

Submit proposals by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 9, 2026.

Timeline: Awards will be distributed on a rolling basis, with initial awards targeted for distribution by July 1, 2026.

Proposals will be evaluated on:

  • Amplification Potential: Likelihood of attracting major follow-on funding or creating translational impact
  • Feasibility: Clarity of plan, defined milestones and achievable outcomes
  • Strategic Alignment: Alignment with School priorities and national funding opportunities (NSF Engines, DARPA, DOE, CHIPS, NIH)

Awardees must commit to providing:

  • Midterm progress update (brief)
  • Final outcome(s) summary detailing proposals submitted, partnerships formed and/or technologies advanced
  • Availability to present at the annual Futures Fund Impact Forum

Results will be featured in an annual Research and Innovation Impact Report and may be showcased to donors and the Futures Fund Board.

Questions?

We have provided an FAQ below, and a webinar was held for prospective applicants on January 28, 2026, which included a Q&A. PennKey holders are able to access the following:

Dean Vijay Kumar’s Welcome | Full Webinar Recording | Presentation Slides

For any additional questions, contact the Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at adro@seas.upenn.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

The PI must be a primary Penn Engineering faculty member. Joint appointments and collaborations (including cross‑school) are welcome, but the lead PI must have a primary faculty appointment in Penn Engineering.

Yes, as collaborators or personnel, but the project must be led by a Penn Engineering primary faculty PI and administered through Penn Engineering.

No. Collaborations are encouraged but not required.

There is no hard limit, but the likelihood of receiving multiple awards in the same round is low.

Both are eligible. Proposals may focus on early‑stage research or on work closer to translation, provided there is a compelling amplification pathway and clear outcomes.

Salary requests are not prohibited, but they will face a higher bar of justification. Proposals should clearly explain why salary support is essential to achieving the stated amplification outcomes.

At submission, indicate the role (e.g., Ph.D. student, postdoc) and provide a high‑level estimate using the provided template. Final budget mechanics will be refined after selection.

Faculty should indicate their intent to support a student, but detailed tuition and fee calculations are being finalized centrally. Guidance is forthcoming; do not over‑optimize this portion of the budget at this stage.

At this time, figures are not supported. This helps keep proposals concise and comparable. Figures may be requested later for board presentations if selected.

Proposals should be written for a broad, donor‑aware audience. The vision and impact should be accessible, while still conveying technical credibility.

Proposals are reviewed by Penn Engineering leadership. This is a strategic, leadership‑level review rather than a disciplinary peer‑review process.

Funding decisions rest with Penn Engineering leadership. Selected proposals may be invited to present to the School’s Board of Advisors, and Board feedback may inform leadership decisions.

Selected projects may be identified in time for the spring Board of Advisors meeting, with award notifications to follow presentations.

The number of awards depends on the timing and availability of philanthropic funds. The program is intended to be ongoing, with future rounds as funds allow.

Yes. The Futures Fund is designed as an ongoing program. Additional calls are expected as philanthropic funds become available.

The Penn Engineering Futures Fund is administered by the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, advised by the Futures Fund Executive Committee. This initiative connects visionary faculty research with strategic philanthropy to advance Penn Engineering’s leadership in innovation.