The Jefferson Trust Board of Trustees has had a banner year, awarding almost $1.4 million to 14 new projects and programs.
“The decision-making process was extremely difficult,” shares Amy Bonner, Director of Grants for the Trust. “This grant cycle was record-breaking in terms of dollars sought and exceptional ideas. With this cohort, we have taken another great step forward towards our vision of seeing every great idea at UVA come to fruition.”
The Trust awarded its largest-ever single grant to the School of Data Science. Researchers will study the practices surrounding “collaboratories,” or interdisciplinary research, making UVA a national leader in the field and bringing broad resources to the University.
Sustainability was a key theme this year, with Printers 4 Kids and the Co-designing Circular Plastics Initiative focusing on how UVA can improve plastics recycling. UVA Sawmilling, the UVA Exhibit at Columbus 2023, and the Building Community at Biscuit Run Park all focus on sustainable materials in action. Other grant themes included community engagement, student experience, and cutting-edge research.
The 2022-23 Grants:
Printers 4 Kids: $30,000
This project is creating STEM kits for local Charlottesville schools from discarded electronic equipment and working to establish UVA’s first plastic recycling center.
Building Community with Architecture and Design at Biscuit Run Park: $200,000
The School of Architecture, in partnership with Albemarle County Parks & Recreation, will provide students with experiences in the design, fabrication, and construction of several innovative installations and multi-functional spaces.
C-Ville Tulips: $150,000
Led by the Center for American English Language (CAELC) and the Sound Justice Lab, this program will bring student volunteers together with local refugee women to support them in English instruction and digital literacy, as well as provide youth programming opportunities.
Evaluating Collaboratory Cultures: $298,693
The School of Data Science will research collaboration and promote the findings to illustrate how more collaborative groups and cultures can be built across Grounds and throughout academia.
Virginia Baja Racing: $25,000
Funding helps to reestablish the Virginia Baja Racing Team through the purchase of materials, parts, and equipment, enabling the team to compete in the Baja SAE event in May 2023.
OrChiD-Bio: Organs-on-a-chip with integrated detection of bioluminescence: $100,000
This research project aims to create a novel instrument that will detect bioluminescence in living cells embedded within organ-on-a-chip devices.
Piloting an Open-source Educational Manufacturing Model: $49,900
Funding radically expands a STEM kit program from proof-of-concept stages at Buford Middle School in Charlottesville to a national, open-source curriculum.
UVA Sawmilling: Fully Sustainable: $137,860
Funding helps UVA Sawmilling in purchasing equipment, enhancing programming, and supporting personnel to make the program a self-sustaining organization and expand its outreach.
[De]Construction Project: remapping the roles of design and implementation in the building industry: $136,550
Through a series of workshops that reimagine the construction industry, students will rethink the collaboration between the labor force, design process, and implementation.
Co-designing Circular Plastics Initiative: $25,952
In collaboration with UVA’s recycling division, this project will repurpose recyclable plastics and film plastics into outdoor and indoor furniture.
UVA at Exhibit Columbus 2023: $35,000
Students will create a unique, sustainable architectural installation for Exhibit Columbus 2023 that will ultimately be displayed on Grounds for the UVA community.
1st UVA Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) Competition: $22,729
Funding will bring undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and construction practitioners of the UVA Construction Industry Consortium and UVA Facilities Management together to build community and share ideas through competitive events.
Including Preschoolers with Autism: $61,841
Funding will develop and pilot a 12-week professional development program for preschool teachers of children with autism spectrum disorder.
The Sports Science and Analytics Collective: $123,314
The collective blends research and practical application in sports, healthy living, and musculoskeletal health to accelerate efforts in research, collaboration, and student education.
