Geographic Information Science Scholarships
Cutting Edge Global Mapping Careers
Up until the last decade or so, the mapping sciences still relied heavily on a longitude/latitude system of measurement. Thanks to satellite imagery and other technological cutting edge measurement tools, cartography and geospatial information is one of the hottest fields.
Students engage in curricula that include associated disciplines of economics, politics, anthropology, as well as geography, among others. With this information students learn how data is measured and processed in relation to these other global data systems. The resultant information is displayed and stored according to current technological methods.
GIS specialists or technicians may be employed in positions with government and business that require them to collect an array of information, analyze data, conduct research or create ways to store and transmit data and assemble in an understandable format.
Scholarship Programs
The Cartography and Geographic Information Society is devoted to supporting the field of geographic information systems and geospatial positioning. Like other professional societies the society is also dedicated to supporting the education of next-generation professionals. Scholarships through the organization are available for masters and doctoral level students. Candidates are chosen based primarily on academic performance, but other criteria such as financial need and extracurricular involvement apply as well:
- CAGIS Scholarship for Masters Students gives masters students $500 awards to put toward tuition costs.
- CAGIS Scholarships for Doctoral Students offer up to $1,000.
The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) is committed to the field of geospatial information, or the "mapping sciences," which includes the field of geographic information systems. Photogrammetry is the theory of mapping that employs electromagnetic measurements to determine distance and placement of objects. Student members of the organization may be considered for a variety of scholarships at undergraduate or graduate levels:
- Robert Altenhofen Memorial Scholarship awards up to $2,000 to students studying photogrammetry or GIS. Applicants must also submit a lengthy statement supporting their career intentions in the field.
- The Leica Geosystems Internship offers $2500 plus the opportunity to work with leading professionals and researchers in the field of GIS. Applicants must be able to describe a type of research project they would be interested in working on.
- The GeoEye Award is given to a graduate student working on a research project related to "high resolution digital satellite imagery." Students must have access to a properly equipped laboratory in which to complete their research to receive the award. Awards are $2500.
The University of Alaska-Anchorage offers scholarships for upper level graduate students in the Geographic Information Systems major. Students must be at the top of their class and intending to pursue a career in GIS or a related field.
Students with innovative solutions in GIS may submit projects for scholarship consideration to the GIS Initiative, a project sponsored by the National Institute for Technology and Liberal Education. The GIS Initiative offers the Robert Churchill Memorial Prize for Student Scholarships, which annually recognizes top student projects utilizing the most unique geospatial and mapping theories.
The Association of American Geographers awards students from undergraduate to graduate level for academic achievement and research. Students may apply for travel scholarships that pay expenses to attend professional meetings and conferences; research papers that propose innovative solutions for GIS; or Graduate Research Scholarships the help advanced students fund costly research projects. Students applying for any of the three scholarships must receive a recommendation from faculty and provide a transcript.
The Society for Conservation GIS funds generous travel scholarships that are made available to student members with a demonstrated financial need. Students who may not otherwise be able to attend may qualify for expenses as well as tuition funds for any on-site coursework.
University of Iowa Geography program offers the Pudil Trust Scholarships to students pursuing a B.S. in Geographic Information Systems. Awards are up to $1,000.
