The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) has begun delivering a wide variety of ground and airborne remotely sensed data designed to investigate continental-scale ecological processes. NEON data have great potential to address a wide range of ecological research questions. The goal of this symposium is to showcase examples of the first wave of NEON-related research and analytical approaches for conducting research at broad scales. The session will also explore potential synergies between NEON and other US NSF research networks and continental environmental monitoring programs such as the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network, Critical Zone Observatory (CZO), Ameriflux Network, and Macrosystems Biology (MSB). Speakers have been selected for their familiarity with NEON data, innovative use of initial NEON data products in ecological research, expertise in regional-to-continental scale ecology, and experience with other national research networks. Speakers also span a diversity of career stages from postdoctoral researcher to senior professors. We believe including early-career researchers is especially important given NEON's 30-year horizon. Following the moderator's brief (<5 min) overview of NEON design, infrastructure and data products, 6 speakers will present ongoing research using NEON data to investigate research on lake ecosystems, biogeochemical cycling in riverine ecosystems,the terrestrial carbon cycle,plant phenology and land-atmosphere coupling, terrestrial plant diversity, and structuring of ecological communities. Talks will be tailored for a broad cross-section of ecologists.