Echo360 is collecting input from educational professionals globally to help curate our development of the EchoEco Research Award Program for students, researchers, and young working professionals between the ages of 18-34.
Award winners would receive up to $1,250 USD from the Echo360, Inc. Foundation to support research or a project enabled by technology within the scope of the award program.
Successful EchoEco Research Award applicants have a clearly defined research/project objective(s) and can demonstrate how the desired award will support their work at the intersection(s) of: ethical environmental stewardship, restorative social or ag practices, heritage or cultural research, and responsive, democratic governance. We also look for projects aligned with ESG-focused initiatives such as: sustainable supply chain innovation, regenerative agriculture, community climate resilience, ethical uses of AI in environmental governance, efforts to improve energy efficiency, reduce food waste, or adopt environmentally responsible packaging and sourcing practices.
Successful applicants must also articulate how their research/project is made possible through the creative use of technology. Additionally, how will the work allow the applicant to take more strategic action on the focus area of their work after their research/project has concluded (e.g., create interactive research presentations to inform policymakers on strategic environmental regulations; poll a population to optimize a “Learning about Disinformation” community workshop)?
Additional examples could include developing ESG dashboards for franchise operations, piloting waste-reduction tracking in food prep workflows, or designing workforce training programs that upskill employees in green building techniques or sustainable service delivery.
The EchoEco Research Award is open to students, researchers, and early-career professionals between the ages of 18–34 who are passionate about driving meaningful change through ethical environmental, social, and governance (ESG) work. Applicants may come from academic institutions, nonprofits, or industry with projects that reflect a strong sense of purpose, innovation, and impact.
Note for prospective undergraduate applicants: While juniors and seniors with some level of research experience are strongly encouraged to apply, undergraduates with little to no prior experience are also welcome — so long as they include a letter of recommendation from a faculty or academic advisor who is willing to serve as their mentor on the project. These applicants should demonstrate strong organizational skills, a clear and feasible plan for how the funds will be used, and a compelling understanding of how the project supports their academic, professional, or creative path forward.
Join a global cohort of emerging changemakers — students, researchers, and young professionals — who are recipients of the EchoEco Research Award. Connect with peers across disciplines, industries, and institutions who are exploring technology-enabled solutions at the intersections of environmental stewardship, social impact, and responsive governance.
As a participant, you’ll gain access to exclusive academic and professional development sessions led by expert voices from Echo360’s international network of higher education and industry partners. Whether you’re in the lab, the field, the trades, or the classroom, this program offers a platform for meaningful collaboration, skill-building, and mutual support among a diverse community of future-facing thinkers and doers.