Competitive funding for interdisciplinary student teams to pursue applied solutions to sustainability challenges at the local, national, or global level. Supported by the Dow Company Foundation.

The Dow Distinguished Awards Competition provides funding for projects managed by interdisciplinary graduate student teams that focus on challenges external to the University of Michigan, including applied sustainability projects at the regional, national, and global levels. Teams work in partnership with governments, businesses, communities, non-profits, and other organizations on challenging sustainability projects that seek to enhance the quality of life.

Participants gain the valuable experience of working in teams, achieving a common goal, and applying the skills they have learned in classes to solve real-world sustainability challenges. The Dow Distinguished Awards Competition is a component of the Dow Sustainability Fellows Program.