The VISTA Award is VoLo Foundation’s competitive grant program supporting student-led research projects that demonstrate exemplary leadership, along with Vision, Innovation, Sustainability, Technology, and Action in climate solutions.
VoLo Foundation will gather proposals from graduate-level teams enrolled full-time at U.S.-based universities or colleges. Finalist teams will be invited to present their proposed projects at the 2027 Climate Correction™ conference in Orlando, Florida.
VoLo Foundation will conduct a competitive review process to select the project that best advances positive change in Florida climate solutions, consistent with the Foundation’s charitable mission.
The selected project will be supported through a one-time research grant from VoLo Foundation in the amount of $25,000 (USD), awarded to and administered by the affiliated U.S.-based university in support of the designated research project. All grant funds must be used exclusively for charitable and educational purposes consistent with the university’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and will be subject to a formal grant agreement with VoLo Foundation.
We encourage teams from all disciplines to apply and look forward to reviewing innovative proposals that advance climate solutions in Florida.
Requirements
Applicants to the VoLo VISTA Award Program must complete the application and meet the following requirements:
1. Only research projects conducted by graduate student teams may apply. Teams are defined as two or more active graduate-level students working on a project. Grants will be awarded to the affiliated university, not to individual students.
2. Applicant teams must be enrolled full-time at a U.S.-based university or college that qualifies as a 501(c)(3) public charity eligible to receive grant funds from VoLo Foundation. At least one current team member must be able to continue the project’s work at the institution for the remainder of the 2026–2027 academic year.
3. The project must address a climate solution applicable to the state of Florida.
4. The project must focus on carbon mitigation efforts within a timeframe that reflects the urgency of the climate crisis. Proposals should present a results-oriented framework, provide robust metrics, and demonstrate analytical rigor.
5. Projects must clearly identify inputs, outputs, and intended outcomes, and succinctly describe the project’s expected impact. VoLo Foundation has a strong preference for projects that address decarbonization.
6. Completed applications must be received by October 31, 2026.
VISTA Award winner is expected to provide the following deliverables:
As a condition of the grant agreement with the affiliated university, the following requirements will apply:
1. Final Reporting. The university must submit a final report one calendar year after the grant is issued. The report should summarize the original project premise, progress achieved, significant milestones, and quantifiable impacts experienced or expected. If the project results in a paper submitted for peer-reviewed publication, that paper may be submitted in satisfaction of the reporting requirement.
2. Public Service Announcement. The team will collaborate with VoLo Foundation to film a 30-second Public Service Announcement introducing the project and briefly describing its goals.
3. Presentation at Climate Correction™. The team will present the project at VoLo Foundation’s 2027 Climate Correction™ conference in Orlando, Florida. VoLo Foundation will cover reasonable travel expenses associated with attendance, either through direct payment to vendors or through the affiliated university, consistent with the grant agreement.
Enrollment for VISTA is currently open.
