Research Development

Identify Funding Opportunities

• The Environmental Institute actively curates external and internal funding opportunities aligned with the Institute's mission.
• The Institute offers seed funding programs with varying objectives and resources.
• The Institute can connect faculty with organizations across UVA to assist with and strengthen proposals.
• Program managers at the Institute are available to support and assist proposal development as requested.

The Institute publishes External Grant Opportunities from Grant Forward as well as Seed Funding opportunities administered by the Institute. Be sure to subscribe to the UVA Environmental Institute mailing list for latest news and updates.

Find Collaborators

• The EI Expert Directory notes specific topics of research interest by UVA faculty. Current UVA faculty can join the directory. Any researcher, including faculty and postdocs, can find a potential collaborator through the Expert Directory.
• For personal assistance in finding collaborators or forming teams, UVA faculty can contact Jonah Fogel.
• Throughout the year, the Institute offers various networking, workshops, and panel discussions where researchers from across-Grounds can connect. This includes the seminal Environmental Futures Forum. Be sure to view upcoming events regularly and subscribe to the email list.
• For UVA researchers with specific topical interests, the Research Interest Groups (RIGs) as described below can offer connection across-Grounds.

Join a Research Interest Group (RIG)

RIGs are faculty-led groups facilitated by EI staff, focused on select research themes.

Currently, RIGs meet monthly and feature flash talks, funding calls, community announcements, and networking opportunities. RIGs foster an environment of continuous learning and engagement. 

RIGs currently supported by the Environmental Institute include:

2024-2025 Climate+AI

Focused on the intersection of climate science and artificial intelligence, this group explores how AI can drive data-informed, equitable climate solutions. Researchers from diverse fields explore research priorities including how best to leverage AI to drive data-informed, equitable climate solutions, and  understanding and mitigating AI’s environmental impacts.

This RIG is co-sponsored by the School of Data Science.

2024-2025  Decarbonization

This group convenes experts dedicated to reducing carbon emissions across sectors. It covers a broad range of topics including renewable energy technologies, nature-based solutions, bioeconomy and low-carbon materials, negative emissions strategies, sustainable infrastructure, and behavioral change for climate action.

To learn more about RIGs or to get involved, contact Jonah Fogel.

Request a Workshop

• The Environmental Institute works with faculty to co-design and facilitate customized workshops enabling faculty to explore specific funding calls or areas of interest. Topics include proposal writing, team formation, identifying broader impacts, community-engaged research, and more.