Currently in its 17th year, the form•Z Joint Study Program involves universities and some high schools worldwide. This is a program through which AutoDesSys Inc. subsidizes the learning of digital tools by offering the use of form•Z in academic departments that are interested in educating their students in the articulation of three dimensional forms. Since its recent release bonzai3d is also made available. At the end of each academic year AutoDesSys collects projects that were created through this program. These become the basis for articles submitted by both instructors and students and are compiled into an annual journal under the general label "Partnerships in Learning." Every year a guest editor is also selected as well as a special theme. Over the years these journals have evolved into much sought after and much appreciated teaching aids.

One of the traditions the program and its journal have established is the presentation of annual awards for the exceptional work of deserving students. Nominated projects are presented to a distinguished jury comprised of five individuals outside of AutoDesSys, that are experts or theorists of computer aided design.  They are charged with selecting the award winners, in a setting that does not disclose names of the nominees or school affiliations, in the following categories: Architectural Design, Interior Design, Fabrication, Visualization/Illustration, and Animation.

All Awards of Distinction receive a form•Z RenderZone Plus license with one year technical support and updates. The winners of Awards of Distinction are invited, expense paid, to attend the annual ACADIA conference, where the awards are officially announced. In addition, AutoDesSys waves the processing costs of a 10-seat JS license for the school the award recipients attended, during the next academic year. Honorable Mentions receive diplomas acknowledging the award and a one year user license.