Community Engagement Pilot Grants

The UVA Brain Institute provides pilot funding to support the critical role that community partners play in promoting brain health awareness and research. 

In 2025, applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. If you are interested in applying for the program, you must first submit a letter of intent (LOI) briefly describing the project and summarizing the budget. More details can be found below. 

This new Community Engagement Pilot grant program seeks to support both new and established projects between UVA-affiliated faculty and community partners. We welcome applications from UVA faculty who have partnerships with community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, neighborhood committees, and organizations within UVA that engage in community-based outreach. UVA faculty who are planning or conducting brain research or outreach projects and want to incorporate or enhance community engagement activities. 

To be eligible to apply, each proposal must include at least one UVA-affiliated faculty member. 

Projects must also meet the following criteria:

1. Must serve residents who live in communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
2. Virginia or West Virginia based non-profit 501(c)3 organizations and municipalities are eligible to submit in collaboration with UVA-affiliated faculty. Activities may benefit residents outside of the Commonwealth. Projects with a primary focus in Central Virginia may be prioritized.
3. Projects should address brain health promotion, prevention, treatment, or care partner support.
4. Activities that address the 2022 MAPP2Health report or 2023-2024 Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity priority recommendation areas may also be prioritized.

Awards of up to $10,000 will be given for duration of one year. Only one application per organization and/or UVA-affiliated faculty member will be awarded per calendar year. 

LOI Instructions:

1. Briefly describe your project (1 paragraph) and budget (including what activities funds will support at UVA and what activities funds will support with the community partner, as applicable).
2. Email this description, which should be ~1/2 page in length, to brainuva@uvahealth.org. You will receive an email notification confirming receipt within 2 business days.