The Jefferson Trust has awarded $761,000 to support five new initiatives across the University of Virginia.
“These grants are indicative of a leap forward for UVA and the Trust, said Brent Percival, Executive Director of the Jefferson Trust. “In this cycle, Trustees awarded their largest grant ever at $360,000 which we hope will propel UVA forward in the field of artificial intelligence.”
Experiential learning and research are central to all five funded projects, reflecting the Trust’s continued commitment to student impact.
The 2026 Spring Major Cycle Grants:
AI Research Initiative @ UVA: $360,000
This initiative aims to revise UVA’s research enterprise by embedding advanced AI skills and tools across all disciplines, positioning UVA as an AI research leader, building AI research infrastructure, and fostering cross-school research collaboration.
Pre-Med Student Shadowing and Mentoring Pilot Program: $113,600
Offering a hybrid learning approach with virtual and in-person clinical experiences, this program will offer undergraduate students interested in medical careers exposure to clinical reasoning, patient interaction, and medical culture.
Baby Cavs Express: $188,000
Funding helps early developmental screenings for Autism and Cerebral Palsy go mobile, offering screenings and support to underserved communities, removing access barriers and providing hands-on training for UVA trainees.
High Knob Explorers: $50,000
In partnership with Virginia State Parks and the City of Norton, this UVA Wise environmental education project plans to create STEM learning experiences at the High Knob Destination Center.
Pilot Trial for Patients on VV ECMO for ARDS: $49,700
This research study aims to improve outcomes for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and mechanical ventilation patients, while generating preliminary data to support future NIH funding.