Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge

APPLICATIONS DUE: FEBRUARY 15, 2010

FINALISTS IDENTIFIED: MARCH 15, 2010

WINNERS ANNOUNCED: APRIL 20, 2010

Environmental education, scholarship and engagement have defined Tufts University for more than a quarter of a century. In 1990, Tufts was the driving force in establishing the Talloires Declaration, an action plan for incorporating sustainability in higher education. Tufts continues to be a leader in fostering sustainability in its broadest terms through the Tufts Institute of the Environment and several university-wide initiatives including participation in the 2009 Solar Decathlon, partnership with the Stockholm Environment Institute, the construction of Sophia Gordon Hall, and the establishment of the Office of Sustainability.

Tufts leadership in sustainability has been recognized by The Dow Chemical Company by selection of Tufts as one of only six strategic global universities (Cambridge University, Northwestern University, Peking University, Tufts University, University of Michigan, and University of Sao Paolo), invited to compete in a yearly Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge. Now in its second year, this competition is an important component of Dow's commitment to sustainability.

Three Tufts graduate students or graduate student teams will be recognized as winners for innovations that target broad global sustainability challenges. All degree matriculated post-baccalaureate Tufts students (Masters, Ph.D., or Professional Doctorate) are eligible. An overall winner and two runners-up will each receive a prize of $10,000 to be used at their discretion, without regard to their financial aid status. Three honorable mention winners will also be recognized and listed on the Dow Challenge website. Winners should be prepared to represent Tufts at the awards convocation of winners from all the participating universities to be held at Tufts next fall.

Selection Criteria
There are few restrictions on the topics of the submissions. The application can describe an innovative concept, device, product, process, or system. Academic or non-academic work can be the basis of the application. However, the work must be currently underway or have been completed during the applicant's tenure at Tufts.

Applicants should address explicitly the extent to which their innovation:

• has significant impact in the focus area,
• can be scaled,
• could be implemented,
• can be evaluated for efficacy,
• avoids unintended consequences,
• is interdisciplinary in nature, and
• is due primarily to intellectual creativity of the applicants, rather than advisors or non-applicant collaborators.

Applicants are also encouraged to discuss how their projects relate to the Dow 2015 Sustainability Goals. In addition, the selection committee will evaluate adherence to the deadlines and stated content/format specifications. Please note that the application is not a grant application; budget justifications or requests should not be included.

Application Process
Each student or student team must submit an application addressing the selection criteria. The application should begin with a completed cover sheet. The narrative with any appropriate figures or tables should not exceed 4 pages (1" margins, 12 point Times New Roman font). Applicants should also append a bibliography (one-page maximum) and curriculum vitae (one-page maximum). In the case of ongoing academic work, applicants should also include a written statement from their mentor(s) documenting that the innovation is primarily the work of the applicant(s). The application must be submitted electronic pdf documents by February 15, 2010 to Noah Kirksey.

Applications will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary selection committee consisting of:

• Ms. Sarah Hammond Creighton - Director of the Office of Sustainability
  
• Dr. Timothy Griffin - Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition
  
• Dr. Vincent Manno - Associate Provost and Professor of Mechanical Engineering
  
• Dr. Donald McGowan - Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations
  
• Dr. Kent Portney - Professor, School of Arts & Sciences
  
• Dr. George Saperstein - Professor, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
  

A subset of applicants will be selected as finalists. Finalists will be asked to prepare and deliver a 10 minute oral presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions on their innovation. The winner, runners-up and honorable mentions will be selected from this group. All Tufts award recipients will be required to commit to attend the Tufts-only award ceremony in Spring 2010 and the winner is expected to attend the Fall 2010 general awards convocation.

Contacts:
For technical questions or clarifications, contact:
Vincent Manno, Associate Provost

For questions related to application submittal, contact:
Noah Kirksey, Office of the Provost or call 617-627-3931.