Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge

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 the partnership with the Stockholm Environment Institute, the construction of Sophia Gordon Hall, the establishment of the Office of Sustainability, and the recent NSF IGERT Water and Diplomacy Grant.

Tufts leadership in sustainability has been recognized by The Dow Chemical Company by selection of Tufts as one of only seven strategic global universities (Cambridge University, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 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 fourth 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. A grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 prize and two runner-ups will receive a $2,500 award each. These awards are to be used at the student or student team’s discretion, without regard to their financial aid status.

• Read the proposals from the 2009 winners.
• Read the proposals from the 2010 winners.
• Read the proposals from the 2011 winners.
• Read the proposals from the 2012 winners.

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:

• innovative thinking and excellence in research,
• potential for solving significant problems,
• interdisciplinary nature of the work,
• alignment with the spirit of Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals, and
• 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 April 16, 2012 to Emily Schipper.

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

• Dr. Antje Danielson – Administrative Director,
  Tufts Institute of Environment
• Dr. Timothy Griffin – Associate Professor,
  Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
• Dr. Sandy Yulke – Associate Director,
  Corporate & Foundation Relations
• Dr. Matthew Panzer – Assistant Professor,
  Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
  School of Engineering
• Dr. Janet Forrester – Associate Professor,
  Nutrition/Infection Unit, Tufts School of Medicine
• Dr. Kent Portney – Professor,
  Department of Political Science, School of Arts and Sciences
• Dr. George Saperstein – Professor,
  Department of Environmental and Population Health,
  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. The grand prize recipient will be required to commit to attend the Tufts award dinner in May 2012 and are also expected to attend the Fall 2013 Dow general awards ceremony which will take place at a Dow site in Michigan.

Contacts:

For technical questions, contact:
Antje Danielson.

For questions related to application submittal, contact:
Emily Schipper, Office of the Provost or call 617-627-3317.