Office of Undergraduate Education

Undergraduates can now apply for a summer 2025 Engagement Grant

Engagement Grants can be used for a wide variety of projects. Credit: Christie Clancy / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa — Undergraduates from all campuses and academic disciplines can apply for funding from the Student Engagement Network for a wide range of projects, research and more. Groups also can apply for funding.   

Engagement Grant applications are open now through Jan. 26 for the summer 2025 semester. This award cycle is for all experiences occurring between May 10 and Aug. 15. Award notifications will be sent the week of Feb. 10. Successful applicants will receive $1,000 or $2,000 to cover a range of costs.  

The individual and group applications, as well as additional information, can be found at sen.psu.eu. 

A total of $75,000 in grants will be awarded for summer 2025, with $50,000 for individual grants and $25,000 for group grants.  

“Experiential learning is more than just an opportunity — it’s a gateway to transformative growth and discovery,” said Michael Zeman, director of the Student Engagement Network. “Students can use Engagement Grants to turn their passions into impactful projects, whether diving into groundbreaking research, developing innovative solutions or connecting with communities in meaningful ways. These hands-on experiences not only deepen academic understanding but also build critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration and adaptability, setting students apart in their future careers.” 

Types of experiences funded by Engagement Grants   

Below are examples of engagement experiences SEN will consider for funding. Students and faculty are encouraged to reach out to SEN staff with questions at engage@psu.edu.   

  • Undergraduate research      
  • Internships    
  • Community-based learning      
  • Creative accomplishments      
  • Courses with an out-of-class component      
  • Organizational experiences      
  • Peer mentoring      
  • Self-directed student engagement      
  • Volunteerism      
  • Employment experiences      
  • Study away/study abroad experience      

The Engagement App is another way to explore and discover engagement opportunities on all campuses. Visit the site or download from the App Store or Google Play.     

The Student Engagement Network is a joint initiative between Undergraduate EducationStudent Affairs and Outreach and Online Education. The mission of the Student Engagement Network is to advance the power of participation by connecting students with experiences that empower them to make a positive impact as citizens and leaders of the world.

Last Updated January 6, 2025