Selected scholars will meet five times throughout the 2026-2027 academic year (approximately 10 hours in total). These meetings will introduce participants to Pennsylvania’s history, its political governance structures and institutions, as well as regional socio-cultural and economic differences. These briefings also will explore Penn’s position within the Commonwealth, such as existing relationships and representation by students, employees and alumni throughout the state.
Engagement Opportunities
Office of Government and Community Affairs
Penn Commonwealth-Engaged Scholars Program
With the generous support of the University of Pennsylvania and the Office of the President, faculty and professional staff now have an opportunity to learn about, explore and engage with communities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in new and meaningful ways over the course of an academic year.
In November 2023, the University of Pennsylvania unveiled its new strategic framework, In Principle and Practice. This framework is built around Penn’s long-held values, our unique DNA, and our distinctive strengths. It calls us to be an anchored, engaged, and interwoven institution that applies Penn’s remarkable capacity for inventive solutions and service-minded leadership to pressing problems.
The 2026-2027 Penn Commonwealth-Engaged Scholar application will open August 24, 2026
About the Penn Commonwealth-Engaged Scholars Program
The Penn Commonwealth-Engaged Scholars Program (PCES) is a multi-faceted education and engagement initiative to connect the university community with Pennsylvania’s people and communities. During the 2026-2027 academic year, five to ten Penn faculty and professional staff—chosen through a competitive application process—will participate in a community of learning and practice. Scholars will meet throughout the academic year to learn about Pennsylvania and travel the state during spring break to experience the Commonwealth’s distinct regions. At the end of the program, scholars will have an opportunity to develop and execute projects that apply Penn’s leadership, knowledge, vision and creativity to benefit Pennsylvania.
During Penn’s spring break (March 6-14), PCES members will embark on a four- to five-day tour of Pennsylvania. The intentionally designed travel itinerary will introduce participating scholars to the state, illustrating Pennsylvania’s geographic, democratic, economic, industrial, cultural and political distinctions. The tour will feature conversations with local leaders to shape perspectives about pressing regional issues affecting residents, the economy, and quality of life.
To foster new, longer-term engagement opportunities between Penn and Pennsylvania’s communities and to incentivize the interdisciplinary practice and leadership called for In Principle and Practice, PCES will award to scholar-participants, on a competitive basis, Commonwealth Engagement Grants that facilitate purposeful and longer-term engagement with communities they visit. Applicants will be expected to draw connections from their PCES experience to Penn’s capacity for good through community-informed and engaged practice, service and research.
Applicants chosen for the Penn Commonwealth-Engaged Scholars will be notified of their selection by Friday, September 11.
Read about the 2025-2026 PCES experience here.