Created by Penn President Amy Gutmann to strengthen the University of Pennsylvania’s commitment under the Penn Compact 2020 to innovation, the President’s Innovation Prize will provide a graduating Penn senior, or team of graduating seniors, $100,000 (plus a $50,000 living stipend per team member) to envision and implement an innovative, commercial venture that makes a positive difference in the world.
The competition is open to full-time undergraduates in good academic standing in the Engineering, Nursing, SAS (including LPS), or Wharton undergraduate divisions who have completed at least three-quarters of the credits needed for their baccalaureate degree and who are scheduled to graduate in December 2021, May 2022, or August 2022.
Unique at both Penn and across higher education, the Prize underscores the University’s considerable commitment to encouraging students to put their knowledge to work for the betterment of humankind.
As announced in November 2021, Penn is expanding the current President’s Engagement and Innovation Prizes for graduating seniors to include a new prize category designated specifically as the President’s Sustainability Prize. All sustainability-focused project proposals that are submitted as part of the standard President’s Engagement Prize and President’s Innovation Prize application process will automatically be considered for the President’s Sustainability Prize. There is no separate application process for the President’s Sustainability Prize.
The President’s Innovation Prize is jointly administered by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships and the Penn Center for Innovation. This year’s application deadline is January 28, 2022. A winner will be announced in April.
Missed an information session? Check out last year’s presentation here (PDF)
