Spark Grants

Spark Grants is sponsored by University of Virginia's Environmental Institute. Provides funding for individual researchers ready to build novel research teams or initiatives.

Spark Grants | Environmental Institute | EI 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.

Spark Grants are designed to: Jumpstart new research teams across two or more departments Support projects with strong potential for external funding 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. 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 May 15, 2026 (Funding begins July 1, 2026 ) October 16, 2026 (Funding begins January 1, 2027 ) 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.

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 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.

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.] Contact Jonah Fogel , Program Manager, Email: jfogel@virginia.

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