About the Scholarships
THE 2008 CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION SOCIETY (CaGIS) SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year, the Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CaGIS) sponsors two scholarships to CaGIS student members [not a member? Join now!], recognizing academic achievement and encouraging the continuing education of outstanding cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), and geographic information science (GIScience) students. Scholarships are awarded for research advancing the disciplines of cartography or GIScience rather than research applying GIS or mapping as a technique. Winners are selected based on academic achievement, particularly in the calendar year prior to the award. Applications are reviewed by the CaGIS Scholarship Committee, and awards are announced in the spring. Information on other CaGIS-sponsored awards is available at www.cartogis.org/awards.
Awards
CaGIS Masters Scholarship Award ($500): This award is to be granted to a student enrolled in, or
accepted into, a Masters' degree program during 2007 or 2008. The winner will have demonstrated
excellence in cartography or GIScience coursework and the potential to contribute to cartography or
GIScience research. Outstanding undergraduates seeking to support Masters' level research in GIScience
are also eligible to apply (see below).
CaGIS Doctoral Scholarship ($1000): This award is to be granted to a student enrolled in, or accepted
into, a PhD degree program during 2007 or 2008. The winner will have demonstrated excellence
in cartography or GIScience coursework and the potential to contribute to cartography or GIScience
research.
Eligibility
Candidates must be enrolled full-time in a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree program during
2007 or 2008, studying cartography, geographic information science, or a closely related field. Prior
scholarship winners are eligible to apply in subsequent years if all appropriate criteria are satisfied.
Undergraduate applicants who have not yet been accepted into graduate school should request that their
faculty advisor assess their potential for graduate study in their reference letter.
Selection Criteria
Valid applications for CaGIS awards (see below for application procedures) are reviewed by the CaGIS
Scholarship Committee, which will use the following criteria to judge applications:
- 70% academic record;
- 10% applicant’s statement;
- 10% letters of recommendation; and
- 10% professional activities (conference participation, publications, community services, etc.).
Level of financial need will be considered, if necessary, to break ties, after the primary criteria have been
considered. The committee can choose to award no scholarships.
Application Procedure
1. Go to http://www.cartogis.org/awards/ and complete the application form.
2. Compile the following:
- The completed application form;
- A 500-word statement of educational objectives, future study or research plans and professional activities, and financial need;
- Three letters of recommendation (at least two from faculty members familiar with your work); and
- An original transcript showing records for 2007.
3. Mail all documents in one envelope. Applications must arrive at ACSM/CaGIS headquarters (at the
address below) no later than 5:00 p.m., January 15, 2008. Incomplete or late applications, or
applications sent by fax or e-mail, will not be considered.
Notification of Winners
The selected applicant for the scholarships will be notified by February 15, 2008. The winners are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony at the 2008 Auto-Carto conference in September in Shepherdstown, WV (see http://www.cartogis.org/eventspage/ for more information).
CaGIS Scholarship Committee: Robert Edsall, Dalia E. Varanka, Elizabeth Wentz, and Elisabeth Nelson
Telephone 240-632-9716 ext. 109; fax 240-632-1321; e-mail ilse.genovese@acsm.net

