UVA Environmental Institute

The UVA Environmental Institute supports research and training at the intersection of environmental change and human well-being with a focus on:

  • Translating research into action
  • Supporting community-engaged research
  • Forming interdisciplinary teams

The Institute creates solutions for a more resilient and sustainable future.

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VCRI Map
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UVA Rotunda against a blue sky
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Max pulls up a net from water

Latest News

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solar panels on homes

Why states are walking back their own climate and energy laws, and what they could do instead

Andres Clarens, Associate Director of the UVA Environmental Institute, writes in The Conversation that states shouldn't abandon their energy transitions and offers better solutions.
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building construction

UVA researchers examine whether low-cost construction creates long-term problems

Climate Collaborative team members Andrew Hayashi and Jeana Ripple speak with NBC29 News about their goal of finding better solutions for durable, environmentally friendly housing to address a housing shortage.
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Jack Boyle biking by partk entrance

UVA grad student bikes from Montreal to NYC, making friends along the way

Jack Boyle, a doctoral student in environmental sciences and an Environmental Futures Fellow, recently pedaled from Montreal to New York City.
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students walking on Grounds

Internship Cohort Summer 2026 Announced

The Institute awarded eleven paid summer internships to UVA students for environmental, climate change, and sustainability work in 2026.

Upcoming Events

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Wildfire Workshop for the Piedmont Region

Initiatives

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Climate Collaborative

Large, interdisciplinary research teams addressing climate-related challenges
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Climate Restoration Initiative

Interdisciplinary team focused on negative emissions & carbon removal strategies for Virginia
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Decarbonization Corps

Projects to increase the pace of decarbonization through research projects

Seed Grant Opportunities

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Rapid Response

Funding on an ongoing, rolling basis for time-sensitive research
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Spark Funding

Funding for individual researchers ready to build novel research
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CoLab

Funding teams for 1-2 years on novel interdisciplinary collaborations

Fellowships

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Climate Fellows

Postdoctoral program for researchers focused on climate change & impacts
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Global to Community

Postdoctoral fellows who work as a cohort to bridge global-scale modeling
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Practitioner

Non-academic practitioners who enhance research & teaching in environmental issues

Student Opportunities

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Internships

10-week summer internship program for UVA students
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Externships

Opportunities for UVA students to shadow workplace mentors
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Environmental Futures Fellows

Opportunities for UVA graduate students to conduct summer research
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Coastal Resilience

The Institute works with communities on the coasts to develop solutions to environmental challenges.

Coasts
Smokestacks against a blue sky

Energy + Infrastructure

The Institute supports interdisciplinary teams exploring solutions to housing & infrastructure.

Decarbonization
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Environment + AI

The Institute explores the intersection between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the environment.

Environment + AI
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Extreme Events

The Institute supports the prediction of extreme events and strategies to lower risk and increase resilience.

Extreme Events