The 2027 Be More Than A Responsible Driver Scholarship
Empowering Young Voices to Lead Life-Saving Change
The Ethan Falkowitz Foundation proudly invites high school juniors and seniors to participate in our annual Be More Than A Responsible Driver Scholarship. The goal is for students to design and carry out a student-led campaign that makes their school or community safer from impaired, distracted, or reckless driving. Your campaign can take place entirely on social media, in person, or through a combination of both. Students might organize a school event, launch a designated-driver initiative, create a social media video, or lead a campaign that gives people a practical way to speak up before someone drives unsafely.
Ethan was 14 years old when his life was tragically taken by a drunk driver. He was known for his proactive kindness, passion, how he made others feel and the way he made every moment count. This scholarship honors Ethan by empowering students to do the same — using their voices, creativity, and platforms to raise awareness and save lives.
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Eligibility
- Open to all high school Juniors and Seniors in the United States
- Applicants must design and carry out an original, student-led campaign that addresses a driving safety issue, such as alcohol- or drug-impaired driving, distracted driving, or speeding. The campaign should identify who it aims to reach and give that audience a clear action they can take to make their community safer.
- Campaigns may incorporate Ethan’s story, name, or legacy
- Submissions must be original and follow the guidelines below
- Rules are subject to change and exclusions may apply
Guidelines
- Entries may include videos, reels, animations, image series, or other creative formats
- Content must be original, appropriate for all audiences, and created by the applicant(s)
- Group submissions are allowed; scholarship funds will be divided evenly among winning team members
- Applicants must also be compliant with all social media age (and any other appropriate) requirements
- AI Use Guidelines
- Students are welcome to use AI for brainstorming, research assistance, or organizing ideas
- Final submissions must be the student’s own original work — AI should not be the primary author
- A short campaign summary covering the problem, the intended audience, what the students did, and what they asked people to do.
- Evidence the campaign took place such as photos, campaign materials, a video, a link, or confirmation from a school or community partner.
- Evidence of reach or impact such as participation, pledges, audience feedback, a practice adopted by a school or organization, or online engagement where relevant.
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges selected by the Foundation, based on the following:
- Creativity & Originality – Is the concept fresh and compelling?
- Clarity of Message – Is the call to action clear and powerful?
- Emotional & Educational Impact – Does the content move and inform the viewer?
- Connection to the “Be More Than” Mission — How does the campaign reflect Ethan’s legacy by encouraging people to look out for one another and make safer choices? Students are encouraged to mention Ethan or The Ethan Falkowitz Foundation in a way that feels natural to their campaign.
- Effort & Presentation – Does the work reflect dedication and polish?
- Social Reach – How well did the campaign engage its audience?
Winners Will:
- Be featured on The Ethan Falkowitz Foundation’s website and social media channels
- Be celebrated at The Ethan Falkowitz Foundation Gala (date to be announced)
- Receive a scholarship award (amounts and number of winners to be announced)
- Receive scholarship awards from a fund of at least $5,000.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: February 1, 2027
- Submission Deadline: March 1, 2027
- Winners Announced: At the 4th Annual LOVƎ LIFE Gala
Permission
- By entering this contest, applicants grant The Ethan Falkowitz Foundation a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, display, and distribute their submitted content (including text, images, and video) for the purpose of administering, promoting, and publicizing the scholarship. Applicants retain all ownership rights to their work. However, the Foundation may feature winning or notable entries on its website, social media, press releases, and other promotional materials without further compensation or notice.
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Questions?
If you have any questions about the scholarship, the submission process, or Ethan’s story, please contact us at garyfalkowitz@gmail.com.
Corporate Sponsors
FAQs
Q: What social media platforms can I use?
A: You can post your campaign on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter). Just make sure your post is public and includes the hashtag #BEMORETHAN. Please be sure to tag @theethanfalkowitzfoundation (FB) or @ethanfalkowitzfoundation (IG) to your post so that we could see it.
Q: Who can apply?
A: The scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors in the United States. You can enter on your own or as part of a group.
Q: What kinds of campaigns qualify?
A: Create and carry out a campaign that helps prevent unsafe driving, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted driving, or speeding. You could organize a safe-ride initiative for prom, lead a workshop on how to speak up when a friend is about to drive impaired, or create a video series that challenges classmates to put their phones away before driving. Whatever format you choose, give your audience a specific action they can take to keep themselves and others safe.
Q: Can I run my campaign entirely on social media?
A: Yes. Your campaign can take place entirely on social media, entirely in person, or through a combination of both. If you post on social media, you’re welcome to tag the Foundation and use #BeMoreThan. Both are optional. If you share your campaign on multiple platforms, include the relevant posts together in one submission.
Q: What are the deadlines, and what do I submit?
A: Apply by February 1, 2027. Carry out your campaign and submit it by March 1, 2027. In your submission, briefly explain the issue you addressed, who you wanted to reach, what you did, and how your audience responded. Include materials that show your campaign in action, such as post links or screenshots, photos, flyers, videos, or a note from a school or community partner.
Q: What if I don’t have a big following or my campaign reaches a small group?
A: A campaign aimed at one class, team, or school can make a meaningful difference. Judges will look at how effectively you reached the people your campaign was designed for and how they responded. You can show that through participation, feedback, pledges, or online engagement.
Q: Do I need to include Ethan’s story?
A: You’re welcome to include Ethan’s story if it fits your campaign. What matters is how you take initiative to help others make safer choices.
Learn more about Ethan.
Q: Can I enter as part of a group? Is there a group size limit?
A: Yes. We recommend groups of up to three students so everyone has a clear role. There’s no strict cap. If your group receives a scholarship, the award will be split evenly among the team members listed in your submission.
Q: Can I submit more than one campaign?
A: Each student may participate in one submission, either individually or as part of a group.
Q: Can I use music, images, or video clips in my campaign?
A: Yes. Use material you created yourself or have permission to use. That includes music, images, and clips you find online.
Q: Can I use AI to help with my campaign?
A: Yes. You can use AI to brainstorm, help with research, or organize your ideas. The final submission must be your own original work.
Q: Will there be more than one winner?
A: Yes. The Foundation will award scholarships from a fund totaling at least $5,000. All finalists will receive a scholarship award, and the first-place campaign will receive the largest award. Winners will be announced at the 4th Annual LOVƎ LIFE Gala.
Q: Who can I contact with questions?
2026 Recipients
- Oliver Caspi
- Chase Faller
- Lauren Kashanian
- Catie Kilian
- Alan Yaari
Compete for a share of a scholarship fund totaling at least $5,000, awarded to the most impactful student campaigns promoting responsible driving.
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