The NYC Sidewalk Violations Scholarship

The NYC Sidewalk Violations Scholarship
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.