Global Grants Penn Global Announces 2022-23 Call for Proposals, Begins Accepting Expressions of Interest for Research Grants

Penn Global is excited to launch the 2022-23 Call for Proposals, welcoming expressions of interest from eligible Penn community members for Research Grants to support activities that focus on issues, trends or topics related to areas primarily outside of the United States which may be national, regional, transnational or global in nature.

Penn Global welcomes proposals for activities in alignment with our four funds: the Global Engagement Fund, the China Research and Engagement Fund, the India Research and Engagement Fund, and the Holman Africa Research and Engagement Fund. Additionally this year, in support of our aim to expand engagement with multilateral institutions and cultivate equitable partnerships addressing multinational questions, issues, and challenges, Penn Global especially welcomes ideas for projects that are specifically intended to advance or address one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Promulgated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 and adopted by all U.N. Member States later the same year, the 17 Goals “are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere.” With a collective aim to achieve the Goals by 2030, U.N. Member States are approaching the halfway mark, a critical juncture to assess progress made and progress needed towards attaining these ambitious goals.

In this context, Penn Global welcomes proposals that seek to advance or address one or more of the 17 Goals. Proposals may include but are not limited to planned collaborations with partners across Penn and organizations at the U.N. or its key Sustainable Development Goals partners.

Penn Global will accept expressions of interest for Research Grants beginning Monday, August 15, 2022 and continuing through Monday October 10, 2022.  Research Grants are open to Penn faculty and senior administrators, as well as Penn affiliates with long-term positions at the University. All disciplines and fields of study are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Research Grants average 1 to 3 years in duration, although Penn Global welcomes proposals for longitudinal research and engagement beyond three years as the proposal’s focus and scope may merit. There is no minimum or maximum award amount for Research Grants; however, awards generally range between $20,000 and $150,000.

Research Grants require some form of matching funding or support from another Penn or external source. In general, Penn Global expects matching funds to be equal or greater to those requested from the grant program. Matching funds do not have to be in-hand when proposals are submitted, but the expectation is that the matching funds will be in-hand at the time of award.

To apply, applicants must include the following information in their expressions of interest: a description of the proposed project, including the objectives, design and methodology, and outputs; list of key partners; and basic budget details, along with a description of plans to contribute matching funding. Applicants should also articulate a clear plan for sustainability and impact.

Those interested in applying for a Penn Global Research Grant are strongly encouraged to attend an information session. Each session includes an overview of the grant program and provides attendees with important information about Penn Global Research Grants, such as program priorities, eligibility requirements, types of support available, and budget and matching fund requirements. Information sessions also include an overview of the application process, and attendees will have an opportunity to meet as well as engage in Q&A with Penn Global’s grant program managers. Details about upcoming information sessions are provided below.

Visit the Penn Global website to learn more about Penn Global Research Grants or register for an information session.

Grants are made possible through the Penn Global Research and Engagement Grant Program, which includes four funds: the Global Engagement Fund, the China Research and Engagement Fund, the India Research and Engagement Fund, and the Holman Africa Research and Engagement Fund. 

In addition to Research Grants, Penn Global also welcomes proposals for Convening Grants on a rolling basis year-round. Convening Grants are open to faculty and senior administrators, as well as graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and certain other Penn community members. Visit Penn Global’s website to learn more.

In April 2022, Penn Global awarded 21 new grants for faculty-led research and engagement projects at a funding level of $1.2 million. Projects range in focus and format, including a book project on India in the West African popular imagination; a new fellowship program to develop partnerships between African scholars and the Penn community; a data collection effort to better understand India’s urban future; a comparative research study on water rights in Latin America, and a new taxonomy of case studies to define a new term, “mega-eco projects.”

Penn Global looks forward to partnering with a new cohort of Penn faculty and researchers to creatively and strategically advance its mission to bring the world to Penn and Penn to the world.

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