About Bridge Year

A group of people posing for a picture on bikes

Photo: Bridge Year Bolivia

The Novogratz Bridge Year Program allows incoming students to begin their Princeton experience engaged in nine months of tuition-free, University-sponsored, global service learning. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Novogratz Bridge Year Program plans to offer a modified program structure for the 2021-22 academic year for up to 21 incoming students.

Launched in 2009, Bridge Year has provided transformative community-based service learning experiences to over 340 incoming Princeton undergraduates. The program is open to all members of Princeton’s newly-admitted first-year class.

"I can't imagine a life at Princeton without having participated in Bridge Year. The program gave me a new appreciation for the opportunities I am presented with on campus, and it realigned my priorities, as I have become a more aware citizen of this world. Plus, I have an amazing family and network of past participants to reach out to if I ever need anything!" 

-- Neeta Patel ’16