The University of Vermont’s Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships is now welcoming applications for its third grant round.  These grants offer a unique opportunity to bring an idea to life with research, to pilot a solution in the field, or to tap UVM technical expertise for a project.  

Approximately $2M will be awarded to research partnerships that target community needs in areas such as agriculture, education, housing, transportation, energy, environment, and healthcare (see the Leahy Institute’s Grants page for a complete list of focus areas). Initial applications are due September 1, 2025. 

The funding opportunities include: 

  • Capacity Grants ($20,000): To support planning, project design and partnership development.
  • Partnership Grants (up to $250,000): To support research, technical assistance, and collaborative work between UVM and community partners. 

All are one-year grants, designed to kickstart solutions in their topic areas. 

To date, the Leahy Institute has awarded a total of $4M to 29 different partnerships.  These projects have inspired the participation of 13 different UVM colleges and research units and more than 40 distinct community organizations across Vermont. 

These collaborative research projects have united:

  • An entrepreneur, dairy farmers, and UVM scientists and business experts to develop a new medicine to help dairy farms prosper.
  • UVM healthcare experts and local libraries across Vermont to explore access to telehealth.
  • State and local economic development officials with UVM data analysis researchers to pave the way for new housing in the state.
  • UVM engineers and spatial analysis experts with a consortium of energy utility leaders to help develop an electric grid that is both more resilient and less costly.
  • Educators, local medical clinics, and UVM medical researchers to improve school attendance and overall wellbeing for Vermont’s young students.

All Leahy grants represent the Institute’s belief that the most effective and lasting solutions arise when local understanding and wisdom are paired with university expertise and resources.

Please visit the Leahy Institute’s website for more information about the grant program, and to apply for a 2026 Capacity or Partnership grant.