Library Sprints @ UVA: Collaborations for research and teaching

The University of Virginia Library invites faculty and staff to apply for Library Sprints, an intensive three to five-day program supporting research and teaching that pairs participants with teams of expert librarians, technologists, and other information specialists to advance a defined research project or pedagogical challenge. Library Sprints are designed to remove distractions, concentrate expertise, and generate tangible outcomes in a short, focused period of time. 

In 2026, Library Sprints are replacing two previously separate programs: Course Enrichment Grants, and Research Sprints.

Program tracks

1. Research Sprints

Focused on advancing scholarly work at any stage of the research lifecycle. Ideal for faculty looking to:

  • Start new research initiatives, including literature reviews; project scoping and framing (including Digital Humanities projects); developing roadmaps for applying digital methods or emerging technologies; and building AI-supported research skills.
  • Address challenges in ongoing projects, such as creating a data management and sharing plan; defining preservation workflows; creating metadata and documentation; and navigating intellectual property, copyright, or licensing questions.
  • Prepare and disseminate final outputs, including open-access publications, digital exhibits, institutional repository.

2. Teaching Sprints

Focused on strengthening student learning through innovative course design. Ideal for faculty looking to:

  • Enhance students’ ability to critically find, evaluate, manage, and use information and data, including archival and primary sources, across disciplinary contexts.
  • Explore or incorporate artificial intelligence strategies that support student learning and ethical, effective academic use of AI.
  • Enable students to design and produce media-rich assignments, using tools for video, audio, 3D, immersive environments, or maker-based production.
  • Deepen learning through digital or experiential methods, such as mapping, exhibit-building, computational or multimodal analysis (text/image/sound), or collaborative design projects

Note: The Library will be offering support for open educational practices, including the development of open educational resources, as part of a separate program.  The call for proposals for that program will be issued in January 2026.

Who is eligible?

  • Research Sprints: Open to all UVA faculty and staff researchers (including staff engaged in community-partnered projects).
  • Course Enrichment Sprints: Open to all UVA instructors (including graduate students) with primary responsibility for a UVA course (Fall, J-Term, Spring, or Summer, including the College of Arts and Sciences’ Engagements).
  • Individuals or teams may apply.  For team proposals, one member should serve as the project director and should submit the application.  Graduate students or community members may participate as team members.

Program structure

  • Three full working days of focused collaboration with a dedicated Library team
  • Shared orientation and closing sessions on that bring together both research and teaching cohorts
  • The closing session will feature faculty delivering brief and informal project presentations
  • Optional follow-up consultations and support during the academic year

Application and selection

Applications are evaluated on:

  • Clarity of project goals and outcomes
  • Fit between project needs and Library expertise and availability
  • Described impact on research advancement, student learning, or community engagement
  • Feasibility of significant progress within the three-day model
  • Priority will be given to first-time applicants when proposals are of equivalent quality.

Timeline and venue

  • Application deadline: March 2, 2026
  • Notifications: April 10, 2026
  • Sprint sessions:
    • Orientation session: 10-11:00 am, May 11, 2026 (hybrid)
    • Sprint sessions:  May 12-14 and May 18-20 (in-person preferred; hybrid is an option)
    • Closing session: 10-12pm, May 21 (hybrid)
  • All sprint teams must commit to at least one in-person meeting.  The opening and closing sessions will be hybrid.

Why participate?

Library Sprints offer a rare opportunity for faculty to immerse themselves in an intensive collaboration with Library experts to advance a research or teaching project. Whether reimagining a course assignment or overcoming a research barrier, the sprint model helps faculty make meaningful progress in a short period of time. This year, the program also offers opportunities to explore and deploy AI thoughtfully in both research and teaching contexts. 

Learn more

There are many ways to learn more about this program:

APPLY NOW

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