The Dow Last Mile Fund for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades

The Dow Last Mile Fund for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades is an initiative by the Last Mile Education Fund in collaboration with Dow, a global materials science company. The Last Mile Education Fund focuses on closing the financial gap for students nearing the completion of their degree programs, particularly in technical and underfunded sectors. This partnership aims to support students in manufacturing and skilled trades education at institutions located near Dow facilities, with the goal of increasing program completion rates and expanding the local technical talent pipeline. The Fund supports students pursuing associate and technical degrees in a broad range of manufacturing and skilled trades disciplines. These include, but are not limited to, electrical, mechanical, process, instrumentation, and laboratory technologies. Additionally, in select cases, majors in Chemistry, Biology, or Chemical Engineering may also be accepted, particularly when they support employability in laboratory technician roles. This initiative emphasizes not only academic success but also long-term career advancement and social mobility by targeting students from communities where Dow operates. The program offers three types of financial support: rapid-response emergency mini-grants, bridge grants, and more substantial Last Mile grants. These grants aim to remove financial barriers that might prevent a student from completing their education. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing students to apply whenever financial needs arise. There are no specific deadlines, enabling flexible, just-in-time assistance aligned with student needs. Eligibility is determined by Last Mile’s general application criteria and is geographically restricted to communities where Dow operates. Eligible locations include specific cities and counties across California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. Students must also be enrolled in approved programs at institutions within these communities. To apply, students must meet Last Mile’s eligibility requirements and be actively pursuing a career in manufacturing or the skilled trades. Faculty and community members are also invited to nominate eligible students. While application questions are not listed explicitly, students are guided to the main application portal for details. A downloadable outreach toolkit is available to support awareness efforts, especially among institutional affiliates and faculty. The grant opportunity remains open on a rolling basis, and it does not specify an end date. Questions and further inquiries can be directed to info@lastmile-ed.org or by calling (720) 881-4001. The main office is located at 2770 Arapahoe Road, Suite 132 - 512, Lafayette, CO 80026.