The final application deadline for both the President’s Engagement Prize and President’s Innovation Prize is January 21, 2026. You should complete and submit your pre-application form, which opens the ability to request letters from your Penn project mentor and recommender, as soon as you have your team, mentor, and recommenders finalized. This will provide everyone with the necessary time to complete their portions of the application process. The PEP/PIP applications will officially open on November 12th, 2025. You can view an example of the PEP application here and an example of the PIP application here.
To assist those who are considering to apply for the 2026 President’s Engagement or Innovation Prize, we will be hosting a series of information sessions. These sessions are excellent opportunities to learn more about the Prizes and hear directly from recent graduates, project mentors, President's Office staff, and managers of the PEP/PIP application system. These year's general information sessions will be held:
- Thursday, November 20, 4:00-5:00pm, Information Session with Former President’s Engagement and Innovation Prize Recipients (Virtual)
- Join us for a virtual information session, featuring 2025 President’s Engagement Prize recipients Ejun Hong C’25 and Jack Roney C’25 for the LensBright Initiative, and 2023 President’s Innovation Prize recipients Gabby Daltoso EAS’23 and Sophie Ishiwari EAS’23 for Sonura. This panel will offer firsthand insights into the application process, project development, and an opportunity to hear directly from recipients who are working through project implementation and demonstrating meaningful social impact in the communities they serve. Whether you're working through an application or interested in learning more about the President's Prizes, this is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from past winners and ask questions about their project journeys.
We ask that you please sign up in advance for any sessions at https://forms.gle/QWhgqbRSZ1Zf1Yrh8.
During information sessions, a general overview of both Prizes will be provided, including application requirements and timeline. You will learn more about former Prize recipients, insights into their experience with the Prizes, how they have brought impact through their work, and have an opportunity to ask questions that you may have.
While underclassmen are most welcome to attend these virtual sessions, prizes awarded this upcoming cycle are limited to Penn seniors graduating in December 2025, May 2026, or August 2026. If you have additional questions, please feel free to email pennpep@upenn.edu (Engagement Prize) or pennpip@upenn.edu (Innovation Prize).
Resources for Prize Applicants
- 2026 Joint PEP/PIP Information Session Slides (PDF)
- Wharton Social Impact Initiative presentation (PDF): how to create a project and make a strong case for it
- Penn Tax Office presentation (PDF): Potential tax implications of the prize; applicants are encouraged to discuss further with a tax advisor. You may also see a recording of the recent tax info session here.
- International Considerations of the Prize (PDF): Presentation from Penn Global on considerations when working overseas
- International Considerations checklist (PDF): A helpful checklist of things to consider--this is a companion piece to the presentation above.
- Resources for Prize Applicants (PDF)