The Global Impact Fellowship provides a group of high-potential students in the Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. program with an accelerated pathway to develop and launch impactful, sustainable, and scalable global education or edtech ventures.
Fellows receive:
- High-intensity mentoring
- A group masterclass for startups
- A tuition award
- Specialized training and professional development
This includes access to leading advisors in edtech, artificial intelligence, and venture capital, as well as premier opportunities to attend events such as the ASU+GSV Summit, Milken-Penn Business Plan Competition, EdTech Week, and the Holon IQ Global Leadership Summit.
The Global Impact Fellowship is made possible through the generous support of friends of the Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. program, including distinguished alumna ChenXin Xu, Ph.D., GED’22, GRD’26, and an anonymous Penn alumnus. It builds on the success of the Penn GSE Jacobs Foundation’s Education Impact Fellowship and Prize, which ran from 2022–2025.
Why You Should Apply
To develop, launch, and scale your impact venture, you’ll need funding and a strong network of supporters and advisors. As a Global Impact Fellow, you’ll receive both—plus access to a global community of past awardees who can help you power your startup.
This fellowship provides a one-year runway, aligned with your studies, to accelerate your social enterprise.
Eligibility
To be considered, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in Penn GSE’s Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. program
- Submit an application that includes:
- A preliminary venture case describing the problem, research base, solution/value proposition, and proposed impact metrics
- A personal statement explaining your fit for the fellowship and how you’ll maximize the initial investment of time, expertise, and capital
Focus Areas
The Global Impact Fellowship supports entrepreneurs launching or accelerating ventures that aim to impact millions of learners across multiple countries. Applications will be evaluated based on:
- A deep understanding of the problem
- A program, product, and/or service that has a clear and measurable social impact
- The ability to scale and
- The potential to serve people in multiple nations
Take the Next Step
Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. students attend info sessions and receive coaching and instructions on how to apply online during their first semester.
Do you have additional questions about the Global Impact Fellowship?
Let us know how we can help. Please contact Jenny Zapf, Global Impact Fellowship Director, at jzapf@upenn.edu.
Contact Us
For more information about the Global Impact Fellowship, please reach out to the program director.