UVA Environmental Institute

The UVA Environmental Institute supports research and training at the intersection of environmental change and human well-being with a focus on:

•    Interdisciplinary teams to catalyze innovative ideas and connect work across the university
•    Partnerships with stakeholders to co-create solutions and connect research with real-world experiences
•    Training for the next generation in solutions-oriented interdisciplinary research
•    A collaborative community to build and sustain relationships to tackle tough environmental challenges

The Institute creates solutions for a more resilient and sustainable future.

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Futures Forum 2025
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Latest News

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From Undergraduate Extern to PhD Researcher: Finding a Passion for Fisheries Science

As Max Moran experienced as an undergrad, EI programs help students discover new dimensions of environmental research.
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Environmental Institute 2025-2026 Annual Report

The UVA Environmental Institute commemorates highlights and successes from the 2025-2026 Academic Year.
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Solutions Lab Puts UVA Students to Work on Real-World Environmental Challenges

The new Solutions Lab brings together UVA undergraduates and business partners to tackle complex sustainability and resilience challenges and turn student ideas into action.
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Can AI Explain the Weather? UVA Researchers Develop New Way to Test AI-Generated Forecasts

A new UVA study introduces a massive dataset and evaluation tool to determine whether AI can accurately translate complex weather forecasts.

Upcoming Events

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Tracking the impacts of new extreme fires on ecosystems, communities, and climate with Douglas Morton

 

Virginia Film Festival: The Endless Frontier

 

Building Energy Resilience in Appalachia: Lessons from the Field

Initiatives

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Climate Collaborative

Large, interdisciplinary research teams addressing climate-related challenges
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Climate Restoration Initiative

Interdisciplinary team focused on negative emissions & carbon removal strategies for Virginia
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Decarbonization Corps

Projects to increase the pace of decarbonization through research projects

Seed Grant Opportunities

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Rapid Response

Funding on an ongoing, rolling basis for time-sensitive research
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Spark Funding

Funding for individual researchers ready to build novel research
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CoLab

Funding teams for 1-2 years on novel interdisciplinary collaborations

Fellowships

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Climate Fellows

Postdoctoral program for researchers focused on climate change & impacts
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Global to Community

Postdoctoral fellows who work as a cohort to bridge global-scale modeling
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Practitioner

Non-academic practitioners who enhance research & teaching in environmental issues

Student Opportunities

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Internships

10-week summer internship program for UVA students
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Externships

Opportunities for UVA students to shadow workplace mentors
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Environmental Futures Fellows

Opportunities for UVA graduate students to conduct summer research
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Coastal Resilience

The Institute works with communities on the coasts to develop solutions to environmental challenges.

Coasts
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Energy + Infrastructure

The Institute supports interdisciplinary teams exploring solutions to housing & infrastructure.

Decarbonization
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Environment + AI

The Institute explores the intersection between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the environment.

Environment + AI
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Extreme Events

The Institute supports the prediction of extreme events and strategies to lower risk and increase resilience.

Extreme Events