Collaborative Research Grants

The Collaborative Research Initiative is intended to improve research competitiveness within the Commonwealth by providing funding for faculty teams to engage in pilot research that could be used as a springboard for subsequent external funding.

With access to funding via a Collaborative Research Grant, teams can build evidence to show that their projects will make valuable, impactful contributions to their fields, thereby increasing their chances of winning larger external grants. The collaborative nature of these grants maximizes university resources at the 4-VA institutions and leverages faculty expertise, all while increasing competitiveness and capacity.

Eligibility to serve as a PI on a 4-VA at UVA Collaborative Research Grant is restricted to full-time UVA faculty members, and collaboration with a faculty member(s) from at least one other 4-VA partner institution is required. UVA faculty members can request up to $30,000 in primary funding through the program.

"4-VA funding was an essential component facilitating this collaboration and collecting preliminary data." - Dr. Baoxing Xu, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

"As a young professor, it’s difficult to compete with seasoned faculty because they have turned out so much data and established rapport with program managers. 4-VA helps bridge that gap for new professors." - Dr. Kory Burns, Assistant Professor of Materials Science

"The collaborative nature of these grants fosters genuine scientific growth and creates a community feel." - Dr. Alan Bergland, Associate Professor of Biology

Engaging undergraduate students in research is an essential component of Collaborative Research Grants. Students who participate can benefit in many ways, including:

1. Learning to Plan Research

• Setting objectives
• Designing research protocols

2. Troubleshooting Technical Challenges

• Identifying problems
• Testing solutions
• Adapting when initial approaches don't work as planned

3. Balancing Resources

• Managing limited materials
• Allocating time effectively
• Making strategic decisions about project priorities

4. Thinking Critically Through Issues

• Analyzing complex problems
• Considering multiple perspectives
• Working through challenges independently

5. Learning from Failure

• Setbacks lead to breakthroughs
• Each failure provides valuable information

6. Collaborating Works

• Cross-university partnerships produce results
• Combining complementary expertise yields better outcomes

These principles transform learning by requiring independence, creativity, and resilience—skills that extend far beyond the classroom and prepare students for advanced study and future careers.