The Dow Last Mile Fund for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades

The Dow Last Mile Fund for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades aims to increase program completion among students pursuing careers in manufacturing and skilled trades programs at institutions in communities near Dow sites.

The Fund aims to create a robust, readily-available technical talent pipeline and help increase students' career earnings and social mobility.

Qualified students are eligible for all three of Last Mile’s core grants: Rapid-response emergency financial assistance (mini-grants), Bridge grants, and larger Last Mile grants, all to support their educational progress and help overcome unexpected financial obstacles.

Manufacturing and skilled trades students at institutions in the following communities are eligible to apply:

 

Eligible Majors:

  • AAS Electrical Concentration

  • AAS Mechanical Concentration

  • Analyzer Technology

  • Applied Process Technology

  • Chemical Laboratory Technology

  • Chemical Process Technology

  • Commercial Electrical Technology

  • Electrical Technology

  • Electromechanical Technology

  • Electronic Instrumentation

  • Engineering Technology

  • Environmental Technology

  • Instrument & Electrical Technician

  • Industrial Technology

  • Instrument & Electrical

  • Instrumentation Technology

  • Laboratory Technician

  • Millwright or Pipefitter

  • Millwright/Machine Repair

  • Occupational Safety and Health

  • Pipe Welding

  • Process Technology

  • Welding or Structural Welding

    *In some cases, students pursuing Biology, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering might be accepted as those majors provide immediate employability for Laboratory Technicians.

  • California

    • Hayward

    Illinois

    • Elk Grove

    • Kankakee

    • Ringwood

    Indiana

    • Kendallville

    Kentucky

    • Carrollton

    • Elizabethtown

    • Louisville

    Louisiana

    • St. Charles, St. James and St. John’s parishes

    • Plaquemine

    Michigan

    • Midland

    • Auburn

    • Bay

    • Saginaw

    Pennsylvania

    • Bristol

    • Croydon

    Tennessee

    • Knoxville

    Texas

    • Angleton

    • Deer Park

    • La Porte

    • Lake Jackson

    • Houston

    • Orange

    • Port Arthur

    • Seadrift

    • Texas City

    West Virginia

    • Charleston

    • South Charleston

    • Institute

    • Nitro

  • Emergency Fund

    • Up to $595

    • Assists with basic needs such as food, transportation, housing, and connectivity.

    Bridge Fund

    • $600-$3,000

    • Bridges potentially catastrophic financial hurdles that could prevent progress to degree completion.

    • Enables career-building opportunities.

    Last Mile Fund

    • Up to $5,000

    • Assists in covering tuition and expenses for the final credits to degree completion.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.



Faculty & Affiliates

Are you a faculty or community member who would like to recommend a student? Nominate them here.


Click Here for the 2025 Dow Toolkit, including a downloadable flyer and social media materials.



The Dow Last Mile Fund for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades is made possible by Dow