ASPRS and the ASPRS Foundation provide support to undergraduate and graduate student members of the society through their Scholarship program.  The total award pool for the current year is over $40,000.  The applications portal ASPRS Scholarships for 2024 has been closed.

Professional Achievement

ASPRS and the ASPRS Foundation also support several professional awards. These awards are given to active ASPRS members and contributors to the field of spatial and image sciences and are bestowed at the Annual Conference.

The Estes Memorial Teaching Award was inaugurated in 2003 in honor of Professor John E. “Jack" Estes, teacher, mentor, scientist, and friend of ASPRS. Recognizing the important niche this Award occupies in ASPRS, the ASPRS Foundation trustees reallocated a portion of the Foundation’s general-purpose funds to fully endow the Award.  The Estes Award is offered at the $3000 level for the 2023-24 award period.

The John I. Davidson President’s Award for Practical Papers, Esri Award for Best Scientific Paper in GIS, and the Talbert Abrams Award recognize excellence in the manuscripts published in the ASPRS Journal Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing.  These awards total $9000 and provide first-place award-winning authors with open access for their papers.

ASPRS offers many awards that are bestowed at the Annual Conference. The awards are given to active ASPRS members and contributors to the field of spatial and image sciences. 

Click here for a Summary of All Awards

Click on one of the tabs below to learn more!

Apply for Student Scholarships

Student Scholarships 2024 – Closed.

ASPRS is pleased to offer ten scholarship awards totaling more than $40,000 in value. Available to both undergraduate and graduate student members of ASPRS, these resources support advancement of academic and professional goals in the geospatial sciences. ASPRS recognizes that students are the future of these rapidly evolving fields and encourages all who are qualified to take advantage of these unique opportunities.

Scholarship Application Window: Closed

Letters of recommendation: Closed

Award winners will be honored at the ASPRS 2024 Annual Meeting in Denver in February 2024.

Awards Available:

Award Name Eligibility Grant Amount
Altenhofen Undergraduate or Graduate $2,000
Anson* Undergraduate $2,000
Behrens* Undergraduate $2,000
Colwell Doctoral Students USA or Canada $8,000
Fischer Current or Prospective Graduate Students $2,000
Government Services Prospective or current government employees who are Undergraduate or Graduate students in the USA or Canada $7,000
Moffitt Undergraduate or Graduate $9,000
Osborn* Undergraduate $2,000
Ta Liang Graduate Students $2,000 for Research Travel
Wolf* Prospective Teachers Graduate Students $5,000

* Students in the USA only

Application Instructions- How to Apply

General Information

PLEASE NOTE: THE ASPRS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION SYSTEM REQUIRES ASPRS STUDENT MEMBERS TO LOG IN BEFORE CREATING THEIR APPLICATION.

Application Portal was closed on November 3, 2023.

  • Please note that all application materials must be submitted electronically.
  • Submit the application form and all supporting materials or documents using the online application.
  • All applicants must be active or student members of ASPRS. Visit the ASPRS website or contact the membership department at the address or phone number below for information about the benefits of ASPRS membership. All applicants must submit the following:
    • A completed application form.
    • A general statement, not to exceed 1000 words, detailing the applicant’s: 1) educational experience and goals that relate to the advancement of geospatial technologies and the applications of these technologies and 2) long-term professional career goals in the geospatial field.
    • Unofficial transcripts of all college level courses completed and grades received to demonstrate scholastic ability. Applicants should:
      • Scan a copy of a recent transcript or print their unofficial transcript to PDF.
      • Upload the transcript when prompted in the scholarship application.
    • Two letters of reference with each application from faculty members or professionals who have knowledge of the applicant’s capabilities.
    • Letters of reference are sent via a separate google form. This is to allow reviewers who are not ASPRS members to submit recommendations. T
    • Provide your reviewers with this link: https://forms.gle/MatQYSnhax1t2LYN8

    Additional Materials

    • Resumes: Resumes are requested but are not mandatory. Resumes provide useful background information that may not be answered in the application. If you choose to supply a resume, please upload it where it says “Please upload your most recent academic transcript and resume
    • Supplementary documents: Some awards ask for copies of published articles or imagery, please upload where the form says to “Please attach supporting documentation such as published articles, research samples, or imagery." Published articles or research samples should not exceed five pages; if longer, submit an abstract and article highlights.
    • Scholarship winners will be asked to submit official transcripts.
      • Please contact your university’s Registrar for assistance in sending an official transcript directly to ASPRS Headquarters.
      • Foreign language transcripts or documents must be translated into English by an official translating agency and submitted directly from the translating agency to ASPRS Headquarters.

    Final notes:

    Many awards call for specific additional information. Please read the award descriptions carefully for details. Incomplete applications will be disqualified. If your scholarship requires additional documentation please upload where the form says: “Please attach supporting documentation such as published articles, research samples, or imagery.”

    The awards will normally be made annually. If the committee deems there are no applications of sufficient quality to warrant approval, no award will be given that year. Any application that does not comply in its entirety with the terms stated above or with the terms of the specific award(s) applied for will be ineligible.

  • While students can submit applications to multiple awards, the application criteria should be reviewed carefully. Submissions are not successful when the scholarship focus does not match the student’s qualifications and intended career focus. It is the policy of the Awards Committee that a student cannot receive the same scholarship twice and will only receive a single scholarship in one year.The contact information for ASPRS awards and scholarships is:

    ASPRS Scholarship Coordinator
    8550 United Plaza Blvd, Ste 1001 Baton Rouge, LA 70809
    Email
    225-408-4747

Abraham Anson Scholarship

Purpose

      • The purpose of this award is to encourage students who have an exceptional interest in pursuing scientific research or education in geospatial science or technology related to photogrammetry, remote sensing, surveying, and mapping to enter a professional field where they can use the knowledge of their discipline to excel in their profession.

Eligibility

      • The award is made to an undergraduate student currently enrolled in a college or university in the United States for the purpose of pursuing a program of study to enter a profession in which education in photogrammetry, remote sensing, surveying, and mapping and geospatial science or technology disciplines will advance the value of those disciplines within that profession.

Award

      • The award consists of a certificate, a check in the amount of $2,000 and a one-year membership extension in the society.
      • This award is presented by the ASPRS Foundation from funds donated by the Anson bequest and contributions from the Society and the Potomac Region as a tribute to Abe Anson’s many contributions to the field of photogrammetry, remote sensing, and long, dedicated service to the Society.

Application

Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. In addition, this award requires the following items:

  • A listing of courses taken or to be taken in photogrammetry, remote sensing, surveying and mapping, data management, and geospatial science or technology disciplines recognizing that instruction in remote sensing and geo sciences is often taught in many disciplines.
  • A statement of work experience and listings that may include internships, other forms of work experience, special projects, papers, research reports, courses taught as a teaching assistant or other items produced by the applicant that may support the capabilities in this field. The statement should include the nature, location, and date of each experience.

Francis H. Moffitt Scholarship

Purpose:

      • The purpose of the award is to encourage upper-division undergraduate and graduate-level college students to pursue a course of study in surveying and photogrammetry leading to a career in the geospatial mapping profession.

Eligibility

      • Students currently enrolled in a college or university in the United States or Canada, who are pursuing a program of study in surveying or photogrammetry leading to a career in the geospatial mapping profession.

Award:

      • The award consists of a certificate, a check in the amount of $9,000 and a one-year membership extension in ASPRS.
      • This award is presented by ASPRS through the ASPRS Foundationfrom funds donated by students, associates, colleagues, and friends of Frank Moffitt as a memorial to his lifetime contributions to the photogrammetric surveying profession.

Application:

Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. In addition, this award requires the following items:

  • A listing of courses taken, and those to be taken, in surveying and photogrammetry and other related geospatial information technologies, recognizing that instruction in remote sensing is often embedded in courses taught in many different disciplines.
  • A listing of: 1) work experience and internships; 2) technical papers, research reports or other publications; 3) courses taught as a lecturer or teaching assistant; and 4) presentations made that may support the applicant’s capabilities in this field.

Award Selection:

  • The Committee evaluates each candidate’s application, applying equal weight to each element.
  • The Committee will also assign additional points, as appropriate, to the final scores for those applicants having attributes that reflect Professor Moffitt’s career and contributions.

Government Services Scholarship

Purpose:

  • The ASPRS Government Services Scholarship is awarded annually to encourage students in the United States or Canada to pursue a course of study in photogrammetry and related topics leading to a career in the geospatial mapping profession in the government sector (federal, state, or local) within the United States.  The scholarship also encourages geospatial professionals already in government service to pursue advanced degrees and provides a preference to U.S. veterans. ASPRS membership (active or student) is required.

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate-level and graduate-level college students in the United States or Canada

Award

  • The award consists of a certificate and a check in the amount of $7,000.
  • This award is presented by ASPRS through the ASPRS Foundation from funds donated by a past member of ASPRS. The Deed of Award will be revised after the donor’s passing to include the background and professional contributions of the donor.

Application:

Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. In addition, this award requires the following items:

  • A listing of courses taken or planned in photogrammetry and related geospatial information technologies, recognizing that instruction in remote sensing is often embedded in courses taught in many different disciplines.

A listing of internships, special projects, or work experience; technical papers, research reports or other documents; courses taught as a lecturer or teaching assistant; and presentations made that demonstrate the applicant’s capabilities in this field.

John O. Behrens Scholarship

John O. Behrens Institute for Land Information (ILI) Memorial Scholarship

Purpose

      • The purpose of the award is to encourage those who have an exceptional interest in pursuing scientific research or education in geospatial science or technology or land information systems/records to enter a professional field where they can use the knowledge of this discipline to excel in their profession.

Eligibility

      • The Scholarship is made to an undergraduate student enrolled in a college or university in the United States for the purpose of pursuing a program of study that prepares them to enter a profession in which education in geospatial science or land information disciplines will advance the value of those disciplines within that profession.

Award

      • The award consists of a certificate and a check in the amount of $2,000 and a one year membership extension in the Society.
      • Funds from the ILI were donated to the ASPRS Foundation to support the John O. Behrens ILI memorial Scholarship in recognition of Mr. Behrens’ outstanding contributions over the many years of his distinguished career.

Application

Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. In addition, this award requires the following items:

  • A listing of courses taken in land information, data management and geospatial information and technology and the academic grades received.
  • Papers, research reports, or other items produced by the applicant that may support the capabilities in this field.
  • A statement of work experience that may include internships, other forms of work experience, or special projects that demonstrates excellence in geospatial science, technology, land information systems/records research, and/or in communications and collaboration. The statement should include the nature, location, and date(s) of the experience.

Kenneth J. Osborn Scholarship

Purpose:

      • The purpose of the Scholarship is to encourage and commend college students who display exceptional interest, desire, ability, and aptitude to enter the profession of surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, or geospatial information and technology. In addition, the Scholarship recognizes students who excel at an aspect of the profession that Ken Osborn demonstrated so very well, that of communications and collaboration.

Eligibility:

      • The Scholarship is made to an undergraduate student currently enrolled or intending to enroll in a college or university in the United States, who is pursuing a program of study in preparation for entering the profession in the general area of surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, or geospatial information and technology.

Award:

      • This annual Scholarship consists of a certificate and a check in the amount of $2,000 and a one year membership extension in the Society.
      • This award is presented by the ASPRS Foundation, with funding provided by donations from friends and colleagues of Kenneth Osborn as a tribute to him.

Application:

Candidates must submit an application form and the following items:

      • A listing of courses taken in surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, and geospatial information and technology and the academic grades received.
      • An official transcript of all college or university level courses completed and grades received to demonstrate scholastic ability.
      • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or professionals having knowledge of the applicant’s capabilities (demonstrated or potential) as a professional in this field.
      • Papers, research reports, or other items produced by the applicant that may support the capabilities in this field.
      • A statement of work experience that may include internships, other forms of work experience, or special projects that demonstrate excellence in these fields and in communications and collaboration. The statement should include the nature, location and date(s) of the experience.
      • A statement, not to exceed 2 pages, detailing the applicant’s plans for continuing studies towards becoming a professional in surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, or geospatial information and technology.

Award Selection:

        • The Committee evaluates each application, applying equal weight to each of the items listed above.  The applicant who, in the opinion of the majority of the Committee, has the highest overall ranking is designated as the winner.

Paul R. Wolf Scholarship

Purpose:

  • The purpose of the Award is to encourage and commend college students who display exceptional interest, desire, ability, and aptitude to enter the profession of teaching Surveying, Mapping, or Photogrammetry.

Eligibility:

  • The Award is made to a graduate student member of ASPRS currently enrolled or intending to enroll in a college or university in the United States, who is pursuing a program of study in preparation for entering the teaching profession in the general area of Surveying, Mapping, or Photogrammetry.

Award:

  • The award consists of a certificate and a check in the amount of $5,000.
  • This Award is administered by the ASPRS Foundationfrom funds donated by the friends and colleagues of Paul R. Wolf as a memorial to him. Recognized nationally and internationally, Paul was an outstanding educator and practitioner of Surveying, Mapping, and Photogrammetry and a great friend of the Society. As author, teacher, and mentor, Paul made significant educational and academic contributions to these fields.

Application:

  • Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. In addition, this award requires the following items:
    • A listing of courses taken in Surveying, Mapping, and Photogrammetry and the academic grades received.
    • Papers, research reports, or other items produced by the applicant that may support the capabilities in this field.
    • A statement of teaching experience that may include teaching assistantships, seminars, and formal course teaching. The statement should include the nature, location, and date(s) of the experience.

Robert E. Altenhofen Scholarship

Purpose:

      • To encourage and commend college students who display exceptional interest and ability in the theoretical aspects of photogrammetry.

Eligibility:

      • Undergraduate or graduate student members of ASPRS

Award:

      • Cash prize of $2,000 and a certificate.
      • The award is administered by the ASPRS Foundationfrom funds provided by the estate of Mrs. Helen Altenhofen as a memorial to her husband, Robert E. Altenhofen. A past president of ASPRS, Mr. Robert Altenhofen was an outstanding practitioner of photogrammetry and made notable contributions to the mathematical aspects of the science.

Application

Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. In addition, this award requires the following items:

  • A 500-word statement detailing plans for continuing studies in theoretical photogrammetry.
  • Papers, research reports, or other items produced by the applicant that indicate capability in these fields.

Robert N. Colwell Fellowship

Purpose

      • The purpose of the Award is to encourage and commend college/university graduate students at the PhD level who display exceptional interest, desire, ability, and aptitude in the field of remote sensing or other related geospatial information technologies, and who have a special interest in developing practical uses of these technologies.

Eligibility

      • The Award is made to a PhD level graduate student enrolled in the United States or Canada who is pursuing a program of study aimed at starting a professional career where expertise is required in remote sensing or other related geospatial information technologies.

Award

      • The award consists of a certificate and a check in the amount of $8,000 and a one-year membership extension in ASPRS.
      • The award is presented by the ASPRS Foundation from funds donated by students, associates, colleagues, and friends of Robert Colwell, one of the world’s most respected leaders in remote sensing, a field that he stewarded from the interpretation of World War II aerial photographs to the advanced acquisition and analysis of many types of geospatial data from military and civilian satellite programs.

Application

Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. In addition, this award requires the following items:

  • A listing of courses taken, and/or those to be taken, in remote sensing or other related geospatial information technologies, recognizing that instruction in remote sensing is often embedded in courses taught in many different disciplines.
  • A listing of internships, special projects or work experience; technical papers, research reports or other documents; courses taught as a lecturer or teaching assistant; and presentations made that may support the applicant’s capabilities in this field.
  • A 500-word statement describing the applicant’s intended applications of geospatial technologies for mapping, monitoring, or assessing land (including coastal) resources and helping solve land resource planning or management issues.  (Note: Dr. Colwell’s research focused mostly on developing and demonstrating practical uses of remote sensing.)

Ta Liang Award

Purpose:

      • To facilitate research-related travel by outstanding graduate students in remote sensing.
      • Such travel includes field investigations, agency visits, participation in conferences, or any travel that enhances or facilitates a graduate research program.

Eligibility:

      • Graduate Student members of ASPRS.

Award:

      • A $2000 award presented by ASPRS, with funding provided on behalf of individual and corporate contributions to the ASPRS Foundation in memory of Ta Liang, a skilled civil engineer, an excellent teacher, and one of the world’s foremost air-photo interpreters.

Application:

Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. In addition, this award requires the following items:

  • A 500-word statement detailing the plan for research-related travel and how it fits into the applicant’s research and educational objectives
  • A description of the applicant’s extracurricular activities, particularly as they relate to community service.

Award Selection:

The selection committee will evaluate each application, applying necessary weights as indicated below:

  • 40% on the basis of scholastic record
  • 30% on the basis of the research travel plan
  • 20% on the basis of letters of recommendation
  • 10% on the basis of community service activities

William A. Fischer Scholarship

Purpose:

      • To facilitate graduate-level studies and career goals directed towards new and innovative uses of remote sensing data/techniques that relate to the natural, cultural, or agricultural resources of the Earth.

Eligibility:

      • Current or prospective graduate student members of ASPRS.

Award:

      • One year scholarship of $2,000 and a certificate.
      • This award is presented by ASPRS with funding provided by a grant from the ASPRS Foundation, on behalf of individual and corporate contributions to the Foundation in memory of William A. Fischer, a pioneer in the use of remote sensing from space for the study of the planet Earth.

Application:

Applicants must submit (1) the application form, (2) the general statement, (3) transcripts, and (4) two reference letters. Applicants for this award are also encouraged to submit technical papers, research reports, or other pertinent items indicating applicant’s capabilities.

Estes Memorial Teaching Award

The Estes Memorial Teaching Award was inaugurated in 2003 in honor of Professor John E. “Jack" Estes, teacher, mentor, scientist, and friend of ASPRS. Funding for the Award, initially provided by a corporate sponsor, lapsed in 2016. In 2020-21, the ASPRS Foundation trustees, in recognition of the important niche this Award occupies in ASPRS, reallocated a portion of the Foundation’s general-purpose funds to fully endow the Award.

This Award, which includes a presentation plaque and a check, is intended to be presented annually. The purpose of the Award to recognize individual achievement in the promotion of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) technology and applications through educational efforts. Award recipients are chosen based on documented excellence in education, teaching, mentoring, and training.

Nominations for the Award are solicited from active members of ASPRS, including representatives from ASPRS’s Regions, by the Estes Award Selection Committee and are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Professional duties with a significant role in education, teaching, mentoring, and training in the areas of remote sensing and GIS
  • Documented excellence in education, teaching, mentoring, and training
  • A demonstrated commitment to the advancement of student learning in remote sensing and GIS

Fairchild Photogrammetric Award

The Photogrammetric Award (Fairchild) is presented by ASPRS through the ASPRS Foundation, with the support of Lockheed Martin. The purpose of the Award is to stimulate the development of the art of aerial photogrammetry in the United States.

The Award consists of a silver presentation plaque mounted on a walnut wood panel.  Eligibility to receive the Award is restricted to current ASPRS members who have been members for at least three years prior to the date of selection as recipient.

The selection committee may solicit nominations from the general membership or specific organizational structures such as the Divisions or Regions of ASPRS. The selection committee evaluates each nominee for his or her contribution during the year(s)   preceding the Award. The merits of candidates are considered by the Committee with respect to the following points:

  1. An outstanding invention or design involving any type of equipment that applies to the art of aerial photogrammetry.
  2. Any outstanding method developed for the use of aerial photographs and/or imagery. This does not relate only to the use of photographs for mapping but is intended in a general sense.
  3. Outstanding research for study along aerial photogrammetric lines.
  4. Outstanding effort for the general advancement of the art of photogrammetry.

Fellow Member Award

The designation of Fellow Member is the second highest honor ASPRS bestows on any individual.

As outlined in the Society’s bylaws, a Fellow Member shall be an individual who is an active member of the Society and has performed exceptional service in advancing the science and use of the mapping sciences. Fellow Member status is awarded for professional excellence and for service to the Society.

Nominees must have made outstanding contributions in a recognized Society specialization whether in practice, research, development, administration, or education in the mapping sciences. Nominees must be active members of the Society at the time of their nomination and must have been active members for the last ten consecutive years.

Candidates are nominated by any active member of the Society, except members of the ASPRS Board of Directors, recommended to the Fellows Committee, which is a sub-committee of the Awards Committee, and elected by the ASPRS Board of Directors.

Up to 0.3 percent of the Society’s active members may be elected as Fellows in any one year. Members of the ASPRS Board of Directors are ineligible for election.

Lifetime Achievement Award (formerly the Honorary Member Award)

Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor ASPRS bestows on any individual.

The Lifetime Achievement award recipient shall be an individual who has rendered distinguished service to the Society and/or who has attained distinction in photogrammetry, remote sensing or the related sciences, deserving of recognition by the Society; and shall be elected for life. The total number of Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, however, shall not exceed twenty-five at any given time and no more than two shall be elected in any year.

Lifetime Achievement recipients shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society without payment of dues, but they shall not have the right to vote or hold office therein except when they have been elected from the Member or Emeritus Member classification.

This award is not applied for but shall be conferred upon selected individuals by a two-thirds vote of all members of the Lifetime Achievement Award Committee by secret ballot at a duly advertised meeting, or by mail ballot.

Outstanding Technical Achievement

Background

The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) through the ASPRS Foundation is pleased to offer the annual Outstanding Technical Achievement Award (OTAA). The purpose of this Award is to recognize developers of specific breakthrough technologies that causes major advances in the practice of photogrammetry, remote sensing or geographic information systems in the United States. Practicality is the essence of the Award and the selection committee evaluates candidates to determine:
  • An outstanding invention or design involving any type of development that applies to photogrammetry, remote sensing or geographic information management or,
  • Any outstanding method developed for the use of photogrammetry, remote sensing or geographic information.
The Award consists of a silver plaque and a cash award of $5,500. The presentation of the Award will take place during the annual (spring) ASPRS Conference.
 
Eligibility

The Award is for an individual or team of developers responsible for the innovation.  However, the award is not made to the companies, agencies, bureaus, or associations for whom they work.  The Award Selection Committee representing the commercial, academic, and government sectors of the ASPRS membership convenes annually to nominate and to review candidates for the Award.  Nominations must show specific breakthrough research or technology that enabled significant advances in the practice and applications of photogrammetry, remote sensing or geographic information systems.

The Selection Committee rates nominations for overall effectiveness, economic and scientific impact, innovativeness and extensiveness of use.

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The Esri Award for Best Scientific Paper in GIS

This award is presented by ASPRS through the ASPRS Foundation, with funding provided by a grant from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI).

Established in 1991, the purpose of the award is to encourage and commend those who publish papers of scientific merit in the advancement of knowledge about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the ASPRS journal, PE&RS. The Award consists of:

      1. First prize: A certificate and $1,000.
      2. Second prize: A certificate and $600.
      3. Third prize: A certificate and $400.

Eligibility to receive the award is not restricted to ASPRS members; the award is made to the individual, or collaborating individuals who, in the opinion of the award selection committee, best meets the established criteria. No application is required since the nominees are determined by the selection committee.

Factors to be considered by the committee in making its selection are the scientific contributions that the paper makes toward the advancement of knowledge about GIS. The award may be given for, but not limited to, any of the following types of achievement in the GIS disciplines:

      1. The development of a new and valuable technique, method, or application.
      2. A case of such a development where an exceptional degree of technical skill, judgment, or initiative is demonstrated.
      3. An outstanding design or invention of equipment or material, or a new or unusual application of existing equipment or software is achieved.

The Award is normally made to individuals whose article was published in the ASPRS journal, PE&RS, during the calendar year preceding the year of the Award presentation.  All articles are eligible for consideration including Highlight and Feature articles.

John I. Davidson President’s Award for Practical Papers

This Award is presented by ASPRS with funding provided by the ASPRS Foundation through unrestricted donations.

The purpose of the Award is to encourage and commend those who publish papers of practical or applied value in PE&RS, the official journal of ASPRS. The Award consists of:

          1. First prize: An engraved pewter tankard, a certificate, and $1,000.
          2. Second prize: A certificate and $600.
          3. Third prize: A certificate and $400.

Eligibility to receive the Award shall not be restricted to members of ASPRS and is intended for those who qualify under the selection criteria. No application is required since the nominees are determined by an award selection committee.

The Award is made to the author, or collaborating authors, (provided each played a major role in the publication) who, in the opinion of the majority of the award selection committee, best meets the criteria established. The Award is not made to companies, agencies, bureaus, schools, or associations. However, their personnel are eligible to receive the Award.

The key factor to be considered by the committee in making its selection is the practical or applied value of the paper in advancing the state of the art in our profession. The Award may be given for, but not limited to, any of the following types of achievement in the fields of photogrammetry, remote sensing, and geographic information systems:

  1. A case of practical application or adaptation, where an exceptional degree of technical skill, judgment, or initiative is demonstrated, or where a significant increase in operating efficiency or productivity is achieved.
  2. The development of a new and valuable technique or method.
  3. An outstanding design or invention of equipment or material, or a new or unusual application of existing equipment or material.

The Award is normally made to individuals whose article was published in ASPRS journal during the calendar year preceding the year of the Award presentation.

Talbert Abrams Award

This Award is presented by the ASPRS Foundation on behalf of Mr. Talbert Abrams, a distinguished charter member of ASPRS.

The purpose of the Award is to encourage the authorship and recording of current, historical, engineering, and scientific developments in photogrammetry. The Award consists of:

      1. A Grand Award which includes a presentation plaque with the name of the recipient permanently affixed to it and $3,000.
      2. First and second honorable mention. These two awards include a certificate [one each] to those authors who were given second and third place honors by the selection committee.

If an award goes to a single-authored paper, the author must be a member of ASPRS who has been a member in good standing for at least one year prior to the date of selection as recipient of the Award. If a multiple-authored paper is selected for any of the awards, at least one author must have been a member in good standing of ASPRS for at least one year prior to the date of selection as recipient of the Award.  If a multiple-authored paper is selected for any of the Awards, the senior author is presented the award plaque. The other recipients will receive certificates. No application is required since the nominees are determined by an award selection committee.

The committee will evaluate each author-nominee for their article that appeared in PE&RS during the 12-month period ending with, and including, the November issue of the year prior to the year of the annual meeting of ASPRS. The committee will determine the publication having the greatest merit by any or all of the recognized standards of originality, practical and theoretical value, clarity of exposition, and general interest.

Region of the Year

First awarded in 1968, the Region of the Year Award recognizes excellence at the regional level in providing service to members and to the profession at large.

The winning Region receives a hand-engrossed certificate and possession of the Region of the Year Banner for one year.

Region Newsletter of the Year

First awarded in 1980, the Region Newsletter of the Year Award recognizes excellence at the regional level in providing service to members and to the profession at large through publication of a newsletter.

The winning Region receives a hand-engrossed certificate.

Region Website of the Year

First awarded in 2003, the Region Website of the Year Award recognizes excellence among the regions in providing service to members and to the profession at large through website publication.

Selection is made by the ASPRS Region Website Selection Committee using a scoring and weighting system to decide the winners.

The winning website(s) demonstrate high-quality look and feel in the site design and effectively convey accurate, informative and timely content. Each site is easy to navigate with few or no broken links and page file sizes are minimized to reduce page loading times. The sites display content of unique regional flavor and are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The winning Region receives a hand-engrossed certificate.

The Awards Committee of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and the ASPRS Foundation announce the new ASPRS Government Services Scholarship for the 2022 application cycle. The scholarship is fully endowed at the initial amount of $5,000, with potential for the award amount to grow in future years.

This scholarship, to be awarded annually, is designed to encourage upper-division, undergraduate-level and graduate-level college students in the United States or Canada to pursue a course of study in photogrammetry and related topics leading to a career in the geospatial mapping profession in the government sector (federal, state or local) within the United States.  The scholarship also encourages geospatial professionals already in government service to pursue advanced degrees and provides a preference to U.S. veterans. ASPRS membership (active or student) is required.

An eligible candidate who wishes to be considered for the scholarship must submit an on-line application that includes the following items:

          • A listing of courses taken or planned in photogrammetry and related geospatial information technologies, recognizing that instruction in remote sensing is often embedded in courses taught in many different disciplines.
          • A transcript of all college/university level courses completed, and grades received, to demonstrate scholastic ability.
          • A listing of internships, special projects, or work experience; technical papers, research reports or other documents; courses taught as a lecturer or teaching assistant; and presentations made that demonstrate the applicant’s capabilities in this field.
          • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or professionals having knowledge of the applicant’s capabilities (demonstrated or potential).
          • A statement, not to exceed 2 pages, detailing the applicant’s educational and research goals that relate to the advancement of photogrammetry and related geospatial information technologies and the applications of these technologies.

https://www.asprs.org/education/asprs-awards-and-scholarships

Purpose

          • The purpose of the IELA is to improve the quantity and quality of literature in the recipient’s library that deals with the mapping sciences (i.e., photogrammetry, remote sensing, GIS, and related disciplines). It is administered by the ASPRS Foundation.

Eligibility

            • The IELA is made to a university or educational institution outside the USA and typically in the developing world.

Award

The award consists of the following:

          • $350 worth of books, manuals, or other literature published by ASPRS;
          • A five-year free subscription to Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing;
          • Proceedings of the annual conference for a five-year period;
          • One free registration to the conference where the award is to be presented for a member of the institution to whom the award is given.The total value of this award is over $1,500. The materials are to be placed in the libraries of the institutions receiving the award.The IELA award has been augmented by a generous grant from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) of the complete ESRI Press Library collection, and selected titles from the John Wiley and Sons, Publishers, catalog.

Application

Award Selection

          • The IELA selection committee will evaluate each application. The applicant who, in the opinion of the majority of the committee, has the highest overall ranking will be designated as the recipient.

Additional Information

                • The recipient institution must place the publications and materials in their institutional library and make them available to students and researchers without limitation.
                • Any institution that receives the award is ineligible to apply for the award again for a period of five years.

General Information

The applications portal is now closed.

                  • Scholarship eligibility requires ASPRS membership.
                    • Submit the application form and all supporting materials or documents using the online application.
                  • The online application system requires students to log in with their ASPRS credentials to apply.

Click Here to Login and Start

Applicants should request references from two faculty members or professionals who have knowledge of the applicant’s capabilities. Letters of reference are directly submitted by the referee using a google form.  Referees do not need to be ASPRS members.

Provide your reviewers with this link:https://forms.gle/MatQYSnhax1t2LYN8 

Award Winners