The Jefferson Trust

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The Jefferson Trust

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The Jefferson Trust makes grants to innovative ideas that enrich the University of Virginia and the student experience.

Founded in 2006, the Trust has awarded over $12.9 million to 315 trustee-selected projects across Grounds. Any student, faculty, or staff member may apply for funding, with grants typically ranging between $1,000 and $300,000. Grants have been made to every school; and many University organizations, centers, or institutes have received grants. Learn more at https://jeffersontrust.org/

11/02/2026

How much microplastic exposure might a newborn experience while in the NICU?

A multidisciplinary UVA research team is investigating how microplastics may enter a newborn’s feeding pathway, from milk expression and storage to delivery. The goal is to better understand potential exposure and identify opportunities to inform safer NICU feeding practices.

Learn more about "From Pump to Patient" one of the Trust’s recent Major Cycle grants.

A UVA interdisciplinary team is launching a Jefferson Trust-funded pilot study to measure microplastic exposure in NICU infants fed expressed breast milk through plastic tubing and containers. Combining environmental engineering, nursing, and neonatology expertise, researchers will track contaminati...

10/27/2026

Congratulations to our latest Flash Grant recipients! We're excited to see these projects take shape and the impact they'll have across UVA and beyond.
🔸🔹Explore these projects: https://bit.ly/4jJHYle

With no Flash Grant deadlines, UVA students, faculty and staff can submit ideas year-round, as funding allows, helping teams move innovative projects forward “in a flash.”

10/22/2026

Stay connected with the latest from the Jefferson Trust! 💡

From grant opportunities and important deadlines to stories about innovative projects happening across UVA and beyond, our quarterly newsletter brings the latest straight to your inbox.

📬 Sign up today: https://jeffersontrust.org/newsletter

10/20/2026

Zack Landsman, founder of Junk Labz, recently joined "Sustainably Speaking: Beyond the Classroom" to share the story behind his organization - from recycling printers to create STEM kits to exploring plastics recycling and developing products from recycled plastic sheets.

Listen to learn more about their journey, lessons learned, and future plans.

On today's episode, hosts Christa Tuominen and Gabriele Misus interview Zack Landsman, founder of JunkLabz, a university-level non-profit initiative for plastics recycling. Zack visited the IIIEE a...

10/15/2026

The latest episode of "Your Power," a docuseries exploring student self-governance at UVA, is now available!

Episode 3, “Creativity,” shares student stories that explore the role of creativity in student self-governance.

Watch the episode: ! https://bit.ly/4s41N8V

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/13/2026

Thank you to The Cavalier Daily for highlighting our six new Fall Major Grants! Read the full story.

The Jefferson Trust awards both Flash Grants and Major Cycle Grants on a monthly and biannual basis, respectively.

10/07/2026

Looking for lesson plans, activities, or primary sources? Check out free resources that make Democracy and Capitalism relevant, accessible, and engaging for students.

10/01/2026

Interested in learning more about the potential impact of microplastics and PFAS on human health?

Jefferson Trust grant recipients John McNeil, MD, and Bryan Berger, PhD, will share insights from their research in an upcoming talk focused on microplastics and their implications for human health.

Learn more about their work: https://bit.ly/4d34CRm.

09/29/2026

Six new grants. Six big ideas.💡From the lab to the classroom and beyond, see what UVA students, faculty and staff are working to make possible with support from the Jefferson Trust.
🔸🔹Read about our newest grant projects: https://bit.ly/4jvl9kU.

09/25/2026

With the fall semester underway, now is a great time to begin planning for the Spring Major Grant Cycle. 💡

The Major Grant Cycle supports proposals over $10,000 that enhance UVA and the student experience. Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) are accepted on a rolling basis, and we encourage early submissions to allow time for feedback and refinement before invited full proposals are due.

🔸LOIs: Accepted anytime
🔹Full proposals (by invitation): Due January 31, 2027

Visit our Grant Seekers webpage to review the grant guidelines and proposal details.

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...

Address

211 Emmet Street S
Charlottesville, VA
22903

Telephone

+14342439000

Website

http://jeffersontrust.org/

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