KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee System is investing $60,000 in a new round of wellness mini-grants to support 12 campus-led projects designed to elevate student well-being and strengthen academic success across the UT System.
“Student success isn’t just about what happens in the classroom,” said Bernie Savarese, vice president for academic affairs, research and student success for the UT System. “Students are more likely to succeed when they have the support and resources they need, and that includes support for their well-being. These grants are one way we can help campuses pilot new ideas, test what works and share approaches that could benefits students across the UT System.”
Approximately 50 proposals were submitted, highlighting the creativity and dedication of UT faculty and staff developing practical, evidence-based approaches to supporting student health. The selected projects emphasize scalable solutions that can be shared across the UT System.
To be considered, each proposal was required to:
- Align with at least one of the eight dimensions of wellness defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Demonstrate collaboration across departments, campuses or the UT System; and
- Show measurable, scalable impact that addresses a real need
“Supporting these projects is an investment in our students’ success and in the people who serve them every day,” said Amelia Ailey, director of systemwide student wellness. “Faculty and staff know their students and their campuses best. These grants give them the opportunity to turn that knowledge into practical solutions that can make a difference in students’ lives.”
“These projects show what’s possible when we bring people and ideas together around student well-being,” said UT System Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Jessi Gold. “From financial wellness to building connection and supporting students through the challenges they face, these projects tackle a range of needs and bring together even more faculty and staff from across departments and campuses than they did last year. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish over the next year and sharing those lessons across the UT System.”
The 2026 grants will support projects ranging from using AI to bridge gaps in campus wellness support and expanding humanities-based wellness programs to creating year-long opportunities for students to build essential life skills, developing financial wellness programs and training student-facing professionals in resilience, connection and referral skills.
Grant recipients will spend the coming year developing their projects and will share their progress and early outcomes at the 2027 UT System Wellness Summit. For the full list of the 12 grant recipients and their projects, visit this webpage.
