Centrifuge Home

A concept and a catalyst, The Centrifuge spins up ideas, clarifies what matters, and accelerates UVA toward its many futures.

The Centrifuge seeks to:

• Ignite collaboration across disciplines
• Empower innovation driven by community needs
• Champion bold ideas at their riskiest stage
• Position UVA as a leader in future-focused research, education, and practice

Have a game-changing idea? We’re investing in ideas that reimagine UVA’s future – with grants of up to $50,000 to launch your project.

We are looking for: 

• Big thinkers across faculty, staff, and students
• Multidisciplinary teams tackling real-world challenges
• Community-driven, future-forward approaches
• Ideas with edge, whether in research, teaching, products, services, or public engagement

All applicants receive feedback. Finalists pitch live at Spinning Up the Future, a signature showcase event in Spring 2026.

Application Deadline: Feb. 3, 2026

This signature event is where futures take shape. UVA visionaries pitch their ideas to collaborators, funders, and decision-makers. 

Expect: 

• Daring demos and pitches from Futures Grants finalists
• A judges' panel of prominent academic, industry, and community leaders
• Opportunities for networking, mentorship, and collaboration