Skip to main content

ESA Civic Society Cohort

People lining up at a microphone to ask questions at a plenary during the ESA 2025 Annual Meeting

Applications for the inaugural ESA Civic Society Cohort are open!

Logos of the Ecological Society of America and Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally

The ESA Civic Society Cohort is a new professional development opportunity for ESA members interested in strengthening their civic engagement skills and applying ecological expertise to local community and policy issues.

Developed in partnership with Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL), the program combines self-paced training, peer learning, and practical application to help participants become more effective civic leaders and community partners. Through the cohort experience, participants will learn how to engage constructively with local governments, community organizations, and decision-making processes while building a network of civically engaged ecologists from across ESA.

Beginning in January 2027, approximately 20 selected ESA members will participate in a hybrid learning experience that combines ESAL’s Local Civic Engagement Toolkit, facilitated cohort discussions, and the development of an individual civic engagement capstone project.

Applications for the 2027 cohort will close on Oct. 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET.

Apply now!

Overview

Participants will gain free access to ESAL’s Local Civic Engagement Toolkit, a comprehensive training program designed specifically for scientists and engineers seeking to make a difference in their communities. Through a series of video modules, exercises, and facilitated discussions, participants will learn practical strategies for civic engagement and develop plans for applying those strategies locally.

A key component of the program is a capstone civic engagement project, through which participants will apply the knowledge and skills they developed to a real-world issue, organization, partnership, or community need.

The program is led by ESA’s Public Affairs Committee in collaboration with ESAL and is designed to help participants:

  • Understand how local decision-making processes work.
  • Explore opportunities for civic engagement related to environmental and ecological issues.
  • Build relationships with fellow ESA members interested in civic leadership.
  • Develop practical engagement skills that can be applied in their own communities.
  • Design and implement a capstone civic engagement project.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be a current ESA member.
  • Be willing to participate in cohort discussions and training activities.
  • Commit to developing and completing a capstone project.
  • Demonstrate an interest in civic engagement, community leadership, or public decision-making.

Members from all career stages and employment sectors are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee using review criteria including:

  • Demonstrated interest in and enthusiasm for the ESA Civic Society Cohort and its goals.
  • Willingness and ability to commit to the program’s training, cohort discussions, and capstone project requirements.
  • Interest in building a supportive learning community by engaging with and learning from fellow cohort participants.
  • Contributions to cohort breadth in perspectives, experiences, disciplines, sectors, and geography.

Timeline

DateActivity
Fall 2026Applications open
October 31, 2026Application deadline
December, 2026Participant notification
January 2027Cohort begins
Spring 2027Training and facilitated cohort discussions
May-September 2027Capstone completion and cohort wrap-up

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior civic engagement experience?

No. The cohort is designed for members with a wide range of experience levels, from those just getting started to those seeking to expand existing civic engagement activities.

Is the program virtual?

All training and discussion activities will be conducted virtually. Additional details will be shared with selected participants.

How much time will participation require?

Participants should expect to spend approximately 2 hours per week for 10 weeks completing ESAL’s Local Civic Engagement Toolkit training modules and related exercises. In addition, participants will be expected to attend three virtual cohort discussions and devote additional time to planning and implementing their capstone civic engagement project. The amount of time required for capstone projects will vary depending on the scope and nature of the project. More detailed expectations will be provided to selected participants before the cohort begins.

Is there a cost to participate?

There is no cost to selected participants.

Questions?

Mayda Nathan
Public Affairs Manager
mayda@esa.org