An $1,000 Opportunity for Thoughtful Students in the U.S. and Canada
Some problems don’t make headlines. You won’t find late-night talk shows discussing sidewalk repair. You’ll rarely hear a student write a term paper on curb ramp grades or pedestrian accident patterns near uneven slabs. And yet—when it comes to public safety, accessibility, and community cohesion—sidewalks are foundational.
We know this firsthand. At NYC Sidewalk Violations, our work begins where cracked pavement and safety concerns meet civic responsibility. And through this scholarship, we want to support students who recognize that infrastructure isn’t background noise—it’s the framework of everyday life.
Scholarship Overview
We’re offering a $1,000 scholarship to one student who can take an often-overlooked subject—sidewalks—and explore its role in shaping safer, more inclusive communities. This is not a fill-out-a-form-and-get-lucky type of opportunity. This is a chance to reflect, to research, and to write with purpose.
Quick Details:
- Amount: USD $1,000
- Open to: Students in the United States and Canada
- Start Date: July 1, 2025
- Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2026
- Winner Announced: July 15, 2026
- Submission Method: Via contact form on this page
Who Should Apply?
If you’re a student who cares about how cities function, how equity is built into infrastructure, or how design impacts daily life—you’re the kind of thinker we’re hoping to hear from.
Eligibility:
- Open to high school seniors, college undergraduates, or graduate students
- Enrolled (or accepted) at an accredited institution in the U.S. or Canada
- No major or field of study restrictions
- No GPA requirement
We’re not narrowing the field to engineers or city planners. Whether you’re in architecture, sociology, public health, education, or the arts—your perspective matters.
The Essay Prompt
“The Role of Sidewalks in Building Safer and More Inclusive Communities.”
Your essay should be 750 to 1,000 words. It should reflect your personal or academic perspective. It should challenge assumptions or highlight overlooked issues. Above all, it should show that you’ve truly considered the subject.
Possible angles to explore:
- How neglected sidewalk conditions create hazards for disabled or elderly populations
- The connection between walkability and economic equity
- Urban planning failures related to sidewalk maintenance in low-income neighborhoods
- How smart design or local policy can reduce sidewalk-related injuries
- A personal story that reshaped how you view public pedestrian spaces
You are not required to use research or data—but thoughtful, well-reasoned essays are encouraged. Personal tone is fine, but clarity and purpose are essential.
How to Submit
Submissions must be uploaded through the contact form on this page. No email attachments or mailed documents will be considered.
What to include:
- Your full name
- Name of your school and program
- Proof of enrollment (student ID, transcript, or acceptance letter)
- Your essay in PDF or Word (.doc/.docx) format
- A valid email address
Deadline: All entries must be received by June 30, 2026, 11:59 PM EST. Late entries will not be reviewed.
Selection & Award Process
Once the deadline passes, our internal panel will review all submissions. The winning student will be notified via email and publicly announced on our website on July 15, 2026.
The award of $1,000 USD will be sent directly to the winner—either by check or electronic payment, depending on recipient preference. Funds may be used toward tuition, supplies, housing, or other educational expenses.
Why We’re Doing This
This isn’t about branding. This isn’t about publicity.
This is about awareness. Sidewalks are too often considered an afterthought—until someone gets hurt or a business owner is slapped with a DOT violation. Through this scholarship, we hope to shift the conversation. We want students to think about infrastructure as something dynamic: full of problems to solve and opportunities to improve everyday life.
In our daily work, we solve the physical problems—uneven surfaces, ADA violations, dangerous corners. But we also believe in bigger fixes: community engagement, long-term planning, and investing in the people who will one day lead those efforts.
This scholarship is one small way to do that.
Refer to this pages for more Study:
- https://nycsidewalkviolations.com/
- https://nycsidewalkviolations.com/steps-to-sidewalk-repair/
- https://nycsidewalkviolations.com/violations/
One Final Note
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already showing the kind of attention and interest that stands out. Whether you submit or not, we appreciate your time—and if you do apply, know that your perspective will be read by people who genuinely care about the topic.
The sidewalk isn’t just a space to walk on. It’s where mobility, safety, and dignity all intersect. If you can see that, you’re already ahead of the curve.
Submit your essay. Start a conversation. Get rewarded.
Please contact Us through this form:
