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ECi Competition

Air & Waste Management Association's 119th Annual Conference & Exhibition, Energizing the Future, June 21-25, 2026, Austin, TX

Get your team ready for this year's Environmental Challenge Competition!

 
ECi teams posing for picture
Students presenting a poster
Student gesturing during presentation
Students presenting a PowerPoint
ECi team posing for picture with awards
The Environmental Challenge International (ECi) Competition gives student teams experience with proposing effective solutions to a simulated environmental problem—a problem based on real-world site conditions and events. The teams will present their solution to a panel of environmental professionals at the Annual Conference in June.

The ECi competition is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, and recent graduates (2025) in the environmental field. Teams should consist of 3 to 5 members.

ECi gives students the opportunity to put their knowledge to work. Team members will gain valuable experience working in a group, interacting with professionals, and solving problems. Plus, you get to visit Austin, it looks good on a resume, and there's the potential to earn cash prizes!

Although the challenge is somewhat qualitative, teams will be expected to address a wide range of concerns related to the environment, energy, government, transportation and health. Teams will be evaluated based on a variety of issues, including how the problem is interpreted, how conclusions were determined, and how well the team can communicate its reasoning and judgements. In addition to the scientific and technical aspects of this competition, resolution of political and community issues along with appropriate regulatory approaches will be important.
 
2026 Challenge: Texas Flood: Environmental Permitting Challenges for the Wave of Data Center Construction Projects in Texas
Stay tuned for the full 2026 problem and protocol, coming soon!
          
Student teams must register for the ECi.

Each team member must also register for the ACE Conference to participate in the ECi. If your team registers for the ACE Conference by May 15, 2026, you will each save $100 (USD).