5.07.2003 ET

(CSRwire) BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- AT&T today announced it is offering $150,000 in fellowship grants to universities to further academic research in the emerging field of industrial ecology.

Industrial ecology is the study of industrial and economic systems and their linkages with fundamental natural systems. Often referred to as the “science of sustainability,” it reflects the fact that environmental considerations are now recognized as strategic to individuals, industry and society.

For example, European governments now ban materials that electronics companies formerly used to manufacture their products, and industrial ecology has helped industry identify good substitutes.

Grants will be awarded to faculty members at six universities whose proposed research best advances the field of industrial ecology. The AT&T Foundation and AT&T technical experts will select the winners. To view the 2003 program summary and guidelines, applicants may visit www.att.com/ehs.

“The AT&T Industrial Ecology Faculty Fellowship program has supported cutting- edge research on how the private sector can continue to produce a high quality of life with greater environmental, economic and social efficiency,” said Brad Allenby, AT&T environment, health and safety vice president. “Employees, stakeholders, communities, and society will benefit from the projects we fund under this program. It helps industry design products and services that are less expensive and environmentally preferable at the same time, for example by using less energy to provide enhanced functionality.”

The AT&T Foundation established the Industrial Ecology Grants Program in 1993 to encourage academic activity in this field. Since then, the program has awarded faculty research fellowships, supported the Colloquium on Industrial Ecology at the National Academy of Sciences and a number of conferences on research in the field, and helped launch the Journal of Industrial Ecology.

This program is consistent with AT&T’s environmental social responsibility and its support of environmental initiatives and organizations. For further information, please visit the AT&T Foundation website at www.att.com/foundation.

To learn more about AT&T’s commitment to the environment and to review the AT&T Environment, Health and Safety report, visit the company’s Environment, Health and Safety Web site at www.att.com/ehs.

About AT&T

AT&T (www.att.com) is among the premier voice, video and data communications companies in the world, serving businesses, consumers, and government. The company runs the largest, most sophisticated communications network in the U.S., backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs. A leading supplier of data, Internet and managed services for the public and private sectors, AT&T offers outsourcing and consulting to large businesses and government. The company is a market leader in local, long distance and Internet services, as well as transaction-based services like prepaid cards, collect calling and directory assistance. With approximately $37 billion of revenue, AT&T has relationships with about 50 million consumers and 4 million business customers, who depend on AT&T for high-quality communications. AT&T has garnered several awards for outstanding performance and customer service.

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