To inspire innovation and utilize our Grounds as a living lab, UVA encourages students, faculty and staff to implement sustainability projects and offers scholarships and awards to support leaders and recognize the work of the many individuals at UVA working on sustainability efforts.

Funding Opportunities 

Equity & Environment Fund (PAUSED FOR FALL 2023)

The fund is supported by the Civic Engagement Subcommittee, is available for students and student groups for community-based initiatives or projects that explore and address the intersection of equity, justice, and sustainability. This fund is paused for the Fall 2023 semester as we restructure our student programs. 

GIFT Grant

The GIFT (Green Initiatives Funding Tomorrow) Grant is funded by the Student Council’s Sustainability Committee with assistance from the Office of the Dean of Students. GIFT has provided tens of thousands of dollars for student sustainability initiatives since 2011, allowing students to solve sustainability challenges on Grounds through innovation and creativity. See the 2019 GIFT Annual Report for previous projects. There is no deadline to apply as funding will be allocated on a rolling basis. You can apply for the grant here. 

Hoos Making an Impact

UVA staff have the opportunity to make a significant impact at UVA through this annual competition by submitting innovative ideas that will help streamline or improve a process at UVA. The competition is hosted by the Staff Senate in partnership with the President's Office to cultivate staff success across UVA Grounds in alignment with the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan.

The Jefferson Trust

The Jefferson Trust, an initiative of the UVA Alumni Association, works to promote excellence throughout the University of Virginia by providing catalytic support to the University community for initiatives in pursuit of Jeffersonian ideals. The Jefferson Trust has funded several sustainability-related projects, including solar education programs, environmental education events and more.

Double Hoo Award

The Double Hoo Research Grant encourages collaborative interaction between the undergraduate and graduate communities throughout the University. These collaborations provide opportunities for more advanced research for undergraduates and valuable mentoring experiences for the graduate student. Awards of up to $6,000 are granted to undergraduate/graduate pairs to be shared at their discretion. Faculty advisors receive $500 in research support. Grant recipients make a progress report and a final report to the Office of Undergraduate Research and present their research in the spring.

Harrison Awards for Undergraduate Research

This program funds outstanding undergraduate research projects to be carried out in the summer following application for the award and the subsequent academic year. Approximately forty awards of up to $4,000 each will be granted on a competitive basis to current first-, second-, and third-year undergraduate students. Applicants must be full-time undergraduates at UVA and must remain enrolled at the University through the completion of their project.

Scholarships

Udall Scholarships

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. The foundation generally awards 55 scholarships annually of up to $7,000 each.  The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.

 

Sustainability Leadership Award