To foster high-impact sustainability collaborations across the University of Michigan, the Dow Sustainability Fellows Program includes a competition for applied sustainability projects that cut across disciplines and academic levels, and involve U-M students at all academic levels.
2018 Application
Beyond the Campus
The Dow Distinguished Awards for Interdisciplinary Sustainability competition supports student-led projects that focus on a compelling and practical effort to foster sustainability at the local/regional, national or global levels. Distinguished Award projects focus sustainability challenges external to the University. (See Planet Blue support for campus projects below.)
In January of each year, the program issues a Call for Proposals (Applications) to foster sustainability at the local, national, or global level. Proposals should be student-led, faculty advised, and action-oriented, outlining a new product, service, or project that seeks to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for present and future generations, see: Guidelines.
We encourage proposals spanning the full breadth of sustainability topics, including but not limited to energy, water, communities, food, built environment, and transportation.
- Project proposals in partnership with external organizations are also welcome.
- The first 15 proposals which meet the seed grant criteria will be supported.
- Applications close by the deadline specified or after 15 viable projects are received, whichever comes first, see: Apply
Sustainability: The University of Michigan defines sustainability as solutions-driven scholarship and practice that seeks to safeguard the planet's life-support systems and enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. The field is defined by the problems it addresses rather than the disciplines it employs. It draws from multiple disciplines of the natural, social, engineering, design, and health sciences; from the professions and humanities; and from practical field experience in business, government, and civil society.
Planet Blue Funding for Campus Projects
Competitive funding to support student-led projects focused on U-M campus sustainability is available through the Planet Blue Student Innovation Fund.