Student Grants

Who is eligible to apply?

Individual University of Pennsylvania undergraduate and graduate students and student groups are eligible to apply for Sachs Program Student Grants.

What do the grants support?

Student Grants support creative practice, including independent projects, thesis and dissertation-related work, programs, and initiatives that engage the student body or the broader public.
In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence in 2026, undergraduate and graduate students applying for Sachs Program Student Grants may choose to submit applications that address the complexities of this significant anniversary, recognizing the nation’s ongoing struggle to realize its founding principles. While not a requirement, we encourage student applications that address this moment and welcome multiple perspectives and approaches, including those that highlight the diversity of voices and experiences across our many communities.
Examples of previously supported projects can be reviewed on our website.

How much can I apply for?

Students and student groups may request up to $3,500.

How and when do I receive the grant funds?

Students must receive Student Grants as awards through Penn Marketplace, except for student groups with active SAC accounts (if approved by the Office of Student Affairs).
Penn Marketplace awards are considered taxable income, and some percentage of grant funds will be due as tax. The tax amount will differ depending on an individual’s residence and tax status. International students will be taxed on their award based on relevant treaties between the US and their home country, not to exceed 30%.
Students receiving awards through Penn Marketplace are encouraged to include a line item for taxes in their project budgets. The university does not provide tax advice, so any tax implications should be reviewed and handled by an external accountant.
Student groups without SAC accounts may either designate one individual to receive the grant on the group’s behalf or set up an LLC to receive the grant on behalf of the group.
Please refer to our general information page about grants disbursement for complete guidelines about receiving grant funds.
The earliest date that 2026 Student Grant award funds may be available is March 2026. Students should take this into account when planning their project timelines and budgets. For students looking to support activities taking place in the spring, we encourage you to think carefully about what is feasible. We are happy to discuss this with you and will do our best to assist you on a reasonable timeline. Grant award funds can be used to reimburse students for expenses already incurred, within reason.
Any questions? Please email Sachs Program Associate Director Chloe Reison at reison@upenn.edu.

What do I need to know to apply?

The deadline to submit a grant inquiry form for 2026 Student Grants is NOON on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Applicants must submit a grant inquiry form from the Sachs Program website to receive a link to the full online application. A link to the online application (via SlideRoom) will be sent to the email address provided when submitting the grant inquiry form.
The grant inquiry form will prompt applicants to indicate if they wish to schedule a meeting with the Sachs Program to discuss their project idea. Meetings are encouraged but are not required. Meetings are also based on availability and are not guaranteed. If you wish to schedule a meeting with Sachs Program staff, we encourage you to submit your inquiry early.
The deadline for submitting completed applications online via SlideRoom is MIDNIGHT on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Grant Inquiry Form

You must submit a grant inquiry form from the Sachs Program website to receive a link to the full online application. A link to the online application (via SlideRoom) will be sent to the email address provided when submitting the Grant Inquiry Form.

The last day to submit a grant inquiry form is November 25, 2025.

The grant inquiry form for 2026 Sachs Program Student Grants is now closed.

Applicant Guidelines

A complete list of grantmaking criteria can be found on the Sachs Program website. The Sachs Program grantmaking criteria serve as guideposts for our grantmaking process and describe what is expected of a competitive application.
Students must be enrolled when they apply.
If a student group is supported by the Penn Student Activities Council (SAC), they may only apply to the Sachs Program for projects and activities that are not covered by their SAC budget.
Sachs Program grants are not intended for ongoing support. Priority may be given to applicants or projects not previously supported by the Sachs Program. If a project has been supported by the Sachs Program or another Penn entity previously, the applicant must make a compelling case for why there remains a need for support.
Sachs Program funding is competitive and is not guaranteed. Any student applying for support for thesis work or other degree-related projects must develop and share a backup plan for supporting their project should their Sachs Program application not be successful.
Applicants with an open Sachs Program grant must submit their final report before the current application deadline before submitting an application for another Sachs Program grant.
To be eligible for consideration, an application must be an appropriate fit for the category in which it is submitted. If an application is not an appropriate fit for its category or does not align with Sachs Program mission priorities, the Sachs Program reserves the right to withdraw submitted applications.
If you are applying for support for equipment, software, or other resources that may already be available to you through the University of Pennsylvania, a strong case must be made for why these purchases are necessary for the success of your project.
If you have any questions about the eligibility of your proposal, please contact Sachs Program Associate Director Chloe Reison at reison@upenn.edu.

Evaluation Process

Student Grant applications are evaluated by a group of committee members, which may include former grantees, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. All deliberations will be guided by Sachs Program mission priorities and grantmaking criteria. More information about application evaluations can be found on the Sachs Program website.

Award decisions for Student Grant applications in the 2026 grants cycle will be made in February 2026.

Important Information

While grant application advice meetings with Sachs Program staff are optional, they are encouraged—particularly for individuals and groups who have not previously applied for a Sachs Program grant and for those unsure which grant category might be most appropriate for their application.
Sachs Program staff will do their best to meet with all individuals and groups seeking advice on their application; however, meeting with Sachs Program staff does not guarantee funding, and meetings are subject to scheduling availability.
The Sachs Program has limited resources and will, therefore, be unable to fund all requests.
The Sachs Program aims to support projects that meet our grantmaking criteria, align with the guidelines for each grant category, and support our mission priorities. Should a proposal or application not meet the criteria or not align with our priorities, Sachs Program staff may recommend that a previously submitted application be withdrawn.
The Sachs Program provides equal opportunity and supports a pluralistic Penn community. We are committed to supporting individuals and groups from all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, disabilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

2026 Information Sessions

Following the opening of our 2026 grant cycle in September 2025, the Sachs Program will host a series of information sessions during October and November to review 2026 grant opportunities. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend for a chance to learn about each opportunity in discussion with Sachs Program staff and previous grantees.

Learn More