The Office of the President and Office of the Provost awarded the inaugural set of Draw Down the Lightning Grants to 12 interdisciplinary projects, all of which aim to tackle global challenges.
The winning projects — led by teams of faculty, students, and staff across eight schools and 10 centers — advance Penn’s “In Principle and Practice” strategic vision, namely a “focus on tomorrow.” The projects reflect Penn’s commitment to addressing societal needs through innovation and collaboration.
Last year, Penn President Larry Jameson revealed the $2 million grant initiative in a Sept. 16 email to the Penn community. The 12 winning projects were selected from 230 proposals.
“From important efforts to address climate change, improve health, advance the arts, develop AI, and more, these innovative projects are sure to make a tangible impact on the Penn community and beyond,” Jameson said.
AI Curriculum & Training Initiative will advance a foundational AI curriculum with live and asynchronous training sessions for instructors and staff to teach AI literacy, practical applications for teaching and productivity, and ethical considerations
Truth and Disinformation in the Writing Arts will explore the role of writing arts in truth-telling through public forums, readings, workshops, and discussions.
One Campus, One Health Certificate Program will equip students and faculty with interdisciplinary skills to collaboratively address global health challenges at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.
Penn Commonwealth-Engaged Scholars will provide a statewide tour and a yearlong community of practice for Penn faculty and staff to explore the diverse communities of Pennsylvania and enhance understanding of regional needs.
Penn as an Anchor Institution will redefine Penn’s anchor responsibilities for the 21st century by researching best practices, engaging stakeholders, and developing strategies.
Accessing Nature will foster a sense of stewardship and curiosity about the natural through collecting wildlife data, experiential education, and community engagement.
Toll the Bell: A Cry for Peace will lead a collective dialogue of health and democracy through large-scale sound installations to honor victims of gun violence.
Kidney Health on a Plate will bridge the gap between well-established health guidance and community understanding of chronic kidney disease through a unique mini-series of creating flavorful recipes with kidney-friendly nutritional value.
Wharton Global Health Volunteers will tackle global health challenges in developing countries through pro-bono consulting projects, addressing global health challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Philly BENefits Partnership will test and refine enrollment strategies, expand benefits access, and leverage government data to better serve low-income and underserved communities and reduce poverty across Philadelphia.
Penn International Climate Policy Observatory will bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers and establish the Penn International Climate Academy to train climate negotiators through accessible research summaries, multimedia outreach, and targeted training modules.
New Mind Workshop: Research Question Incubator will host an interdisciplinary, hackathon-style event where students and faculty collaborate on AI safety projects to promote responsible AI development.
“Penn’s greatest resource is its thinkers and doers,” Jameson said. “Their passion and commitment to make progress on the world’s most important challenges are truly inspiring."
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