Calling all NU Students! Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge

For the third year in a row, Northwestern students have the chance to compete for $10,000 in the Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge. The challenge rewards three students or student groups with the most innovative approaches to meeting human needs in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, sustainable freshwater supply and distribution, climate change and energy efficiency. Students will be judged by NU faculty based on excellence in research, innovative thinking, and the use of interdisciplinary approaches.

Kimberly Gray, a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, worked with NU Development to establish this relationship with Dow. She says, “We are grateful to the Dow Chemical Company Foundation for partnering with us in this international effort to promote sustainability.” Northwestern prize winners will join winners from five other universities around the world: Cambridge, Peking, Tufts, Michigan, and Sao Paolo.

The highest scoring proposal in last year’s challenge was from former NUvention Energy student Jon Servaites, for his work in enhancing the efficiency of organic photovoltaic solar cells. The deadline for applications this year is May 16th. Prizes will be awarded on May 25th. Winners will prepare a poster and short presentation for a local awards ceremony, and may participate in a regional awards event hosted by Dow.

You can find more information on the challenge here.