The Jefferson Trust

Grant Project at Work ⚖️ Meet the UVA Law students helping expand access to legal education through the Virginia Law Prison Project (VLPP) Education Program.

Supported by the Trust, this partnership with Resilience Education provides business law instruction for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated learners, while giving UVA Law students meaningful experiential learning that prepares them to become effective advocates, policymakers, and business leaders.

By developing curriculum, teaching resources, and a sustainable model that future UVA Law cohorts can continue using, this initiative is creating lasting opportunities for both student learning and community impact.

Grant Project at Work: This summer, undergraduate interns at Ivy Creek Natural Area have been researching the history of River View Farm and the Carr-Greer family. Building on work supported by a Trust grant, their research will inform new interpretive signage along the Ivy Creek trails, helping visitors better understand the site's rich history.

The interns are also gaining valuable hands-on experience through community presentations, educational programming, weekend volunteer activities, and trail engagement, demonstrating how experiential learning can benefit both students and the broader community.

Innovation doesn't always happen on a grant cycle.💡That’s why we offer year-round Flash Funding for projects requesting $10,000 or less.

Designed to support short-term initiatives and emerging opportunities, Flash Funding features a streamlined application process with no deadlines, no Letter of Inquiry, and no in-person proposal presentation. Funding decisions are typically made in under one month, allowing promising ideas to move forward quickly.

Learn more and apply early while funding is available. https://bit.ly/3O2kLaO

Grant Seekers - The Jefferson Trust The Jefferson Trust funds new projects and programs that enhance the University of Virginia and enrich the student experience. All UVA students, faculty, staff, and University Associated Organizations are eligible to apply. We like bold, original ideas that: Create a tangible impact on the student e...

Grant Project at Work: The AI Research Initiative at UVA is creating opportunities for faculty across the University to expand their AI knowledge and skills.

This summer's workshops are introducing practical applications of AI for teaching and research, while helping build a stronger AI ecosystem across the University.

Recent sessions included:
🔸 "Agentic Workflows in Practice" with Professor Reza Mousavi
🔹 "Smarter Literature Reviews with AI-Powered Tools" with Professor Stephen Turner

Get a closer look at the workshops: https://bit.ly/4p7QlaM

1776 marked the beginning of a bold experiment in ideas. As America celebrates 250 years since 1776, the Jefferson Trust is nearing $17.76 million in grant funding awarded to innovative projects at UVA.

The next great idea could be yours.💡Learn more about our grant opportunities at: https://jeffersontrust.org/grants/grant-seekers/

Several Trust grants were featured in local and University media this spring. These stories showcase a range of initiatives, from student-led programs to research and community events.

Grants in the News - The Jefferson Trust Catch-up on recent media coverage of Jefferson Trust-supported projects: Roots on the Road is biking across the country this summer to research and raise

High school students are exploring architecture beyond the classroom through the Youth Design Discovery Program. Participants learn architectural concepts and vocabulary, tour active constructions sites, and engage in hands-on design projects.

The Trust was an early supporter of the program and is happy to see its continued impact on the next generation.

Of buildings and spoons: It’s all about design in this UVA summer program Translating ideas to reality is part of the Design Discovery Youth Summer Program at the School of Architecture.

Grant Project at Work🔬Microplastics & PFAS Substances in Human Valvular Tissue 🫀
Dr. Paul Gallo uses a specialized glass syringe to draw a blood serum sample in the study’s first enrolled patient. The sample is frozen and shipped (on dry ice) to a lab for microplastics analysis.

The research team has worked extensively to secure Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, develop protocols that minimize plastic contamination, and acquire the specialized supplies needed for this novel research. More to come from this exciting project!

Grant Project at Work💡STREAM Wise is expanding access to STREAM & STEM education across Southwest Virginia through coding camps, robotics competitions, and hands-on programming curriculum resources for students of all ages.

Learn more about the impact of this program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh_JzHPiTP0