The Spark Grant program offers seed funding to help launch new interdisciplinary research teams at UVA. These teams will focus on innovative, solutions-driven research tackling sustainability and resilience challenges. Five projects are funded each year.
Program Goals
Spark Grants are designed to:
- Jumpstart new research teams across two or more departments
- Support projects with strong potential for external funding
- Advance UVA’s 2030 Strategic Plan priorities for environmental resilience and sustainability
Areas of Focus
The Spark Grant program welcomes all interdisciplinary proposals that align with the mission of the Environmental Institute and represent opportunities for high-impact, solutions-driven research.
In this cycle, we encourage submissions in two research areas that reflect faculty momentum in the current Research Interest Groups.
Energy + Infrastructure: projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions across sectors, including but not limited to, renewable energy technologies, nature-based climate solutions, sustainable infrastructure, bioeconomy and low-carbon materials, negative emissions strategies, and behavioral approaches to climate action.
Environment + AI: projects that explore how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to address climate challenges, including but not limited to leveraging AI for data-informed solutions to reduce climate risk, and investigating the environmental, social, and ethical impacts of AI itself.
Funding Details
- Award Amount: Up to $30,000
- Project Duration: 1 year. A one-year no cost extension may be considered upon written request, with justification that includes an updated budget and work plan.
- Support: EI staff are available to help with team building, project design, and external grant proposal development
Application Deadlines
- May 16, 2025 (Funding begins July 1, 2025)
- October 17, 2025 (Funding begins January 1, 2026)
What Can Be Funded?
Spark Grants can support activities including (but not exclusively):
- Workshops and seminars for team formation
- Early-stage research or pilot studies
- Travel to meet collaborators or funders
- Support for student or postdoctoral researchers
- Development of collaborative tools or websites
- White paper development or concept papers for larger grants
University Policy Compliance: All use of funds must follow UVA policy. Awardees must ensure compliance with university financial, conflict of interest, and research conduct policies—including any necessary approvals (e.g., IRB, IACUC, biosafety). Use of funds for sub-awards or contracts must follow institutional guidelines and may require prior approval.
Who Can Apply?
- Full-time, PI-eligible UVA faculty
- Projects must be interdisciplinary
How Proposals Are Reviewed
All proposals are reviewed by Environmental Institute leadership and external faculty advisors. Recommendations are made to the director of the Institute within two weeks of each submission deadline.
Expectations for Awardees
Awardees are expected to:
- Generate impactful results – such as publications, patents, or open datasets
- Apply for external funding to continue the work
- Share outcomes broadly through newsletters, websites, white papers, and policy briefs
- Translate findings into action with agencies, NGOs, industry, and community stakeholders
- Build UVA’s research community through events, mentorship, and inclusive collaboration
- Acknowledge the Environmental Institute in all presentations or publications resulting from the award
- Email updates on outcomes (e.g., accepted publications, awards, invited talks, op-eds) to:
- Allison Carter – EI Communications Director (alb3v@virginia.edu)
- Jonah Fogel – Program Manager (jf3ku@virginia.edu)
- Submit annual reports for a period of three years after the grant period
These reports help Institute evaluate the success of the program and communicate its value to internal and external stakeholders. Tracking outcomes ensures the Environmental Institute can continue to invest in collaborative, high-impact research.
How to Apply
Submit a single PDF that includes:
- Project title and abstract (max ½ page)
- Research focus and alignment with EI priorities
- PI qualifications and ability to lead the effort
- Project description – goals, timeline, and approach
- Plans for seeking external funding
- Detailed budget and justification (required)
- Two-page CV of the lead faculty member
- Proposals are limited to 3 pages (excluding references and CVs)
- Applicants are encouraged to note any use of generative AI in the proposal and describe how it was used. [The Institute follows UVA guidance on AI attribution.]
Questions?
Contact Jonah Fogel, Program Manager, Email: jfogel@virginia.edu