Rapid grants serve as an opportunity fund with grants awarded on an ongoing basis to support time-sensitive research and research aligned with the Institute’s mission that would otherwise go unfunded. Potential research areas might include community engagement, climate inequities, food and water security, displacement, design structures for buildings, impacts of environmental change on the humanitarian response, etc.
Events that have been the subject of Rapid Response solicitations in the past include, but are not limited to, severe weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic. The UVA research community is encouraged to email Jonah Fogel, Program Manager, at jfogel@virginia.edu with topics or Rapid Response campaign ideas that may activate time-sensitive research across the University.
Funding Available
Rapid Response grants will be funded up to $30,000. EI will provide funds for specific and time-sensitive opportunities to help faculty, postdoctoral fellow, and students conduct studies. The Institute will also work with PIs who desire to submit their Rapid Grant proposals to NSF for additional resources.
Eligibility and Selection Process
Applications are accepted year-round on an ongoing basis.
All full-time, PI-eligible faculty can apply. Proposals can be submitted from single or multiple investigators. Proposals will be reviewed by a select committee of prior EI grant awardees with recommendations for funding made to the Institute's Director approximately one week from the submission deadline.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria
- Has potential to advance resilience and/or sustainability research at UVA; and/or
- Likelihood that the proposed activity will lead to additional seed grant proposals and/or successful external funding.