Academic Scholarship Program

About the Blue Marble Scholarship Program

Blue Marble Geographics offers graduate and undergraduate students attending an accredited university of higher education the opportunity to showcase their skills in the field of GIS. Here at Blue Marble, we understand the importance of supporting the GIS professionals of tomorrow — that’s why we want to invest in them today!

Undergraduate Scholarship

Undergraduate students attending an accredited university have an opportunity to win an academic scholarship in the amount of $1,000 USD (paid directly to the academic institution) and a complimentary Global Mapper license.

Requirements
Proof of enrollment to an accredited institution of higher education through an official enrollment letter or official transcript.
Submit a research paper that shows your understanding of GIS and mapping. This submission can have been used as a previous project assignment or as a new research paper.
Paper submissions must be written in English.
Graduate Scholarship

Graduate students attending an accredited university have an opportunity to win an academic scholarship in the amount of $2,000 USD (paid directly to the academic institution) and a complimentary Global Mapper Pro license. The recipient’s research project will also be published by Blue Marble Geographics in the form of a case study.

Requirements
Proof of enrollment to an accredited institution of high education through an official enrollment letter or official transcript.
Submit a written thesis, project report, or poster on any scientific topic that utilizes Global Mapper technology for analysis in the process. Workflow screenshots from the work completed in Global Mapper must be provided.
Presentation submissions must be written in English.

The deadline to submit for either scholarship is December 13, 2025. Awards will be presented via a virtual ceremony at Blue Marble Geographics’ annual user conference, GEOTalks 2026 taking place on January 28, 2026.

 

Terms & Conditions

Please review these terms and conditions before submitting your project.

  • Participants must be attending an accredited university of higher education as a student to be considered.
  • All project materials must be submitted in English.
  • Scholarship winners must provide their details to receive award money within a month of being notified or risk Blue Marble Geographics rescinding the award.

Submit your project

2024 Award Recipients

Md Symum Islam is a Graduate Research Assistant at Prarie View A&M University. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science.

Farakka Barrage Water Disruption Impacts on Groundwater Availability at South-Western Parts of Bangladesh

Groundwater resources in southwestern Bangladesh are essential for drinking water and agriculture, but the region is facing a growing scarcity crisis. This research examines the causes and severity of groundwater depletion, focusing on disruptions caused by projects like the Farakka Barrage, climate change, and over-extraction. The study utilizes GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological modeling to analyze the crisis and propose sustainable management strategies to protect groundwater resources and support long-term development in the region.

Katelyn DeWater is an Undergraduate student at the University of New England. She is currently pursuing a degree in Marine Science, GIS, and Applied Mathematics

Erosion of Southern Maine Beaches During January 2024 Storms

Maine, US experienced its highest water level ever recorded on January 13, 2024, just two days after another winter storm with an even higher storm surge on a smaller tide. In Dr. Will Kochtitzky’s Coastal Research Lab at the University of New England, we aimed to document the impact of these storms on the area and volume of dunes with unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and lidar surveys. These two storms destroyed 28% of dunes by area and caused a net loss of dune volume along four beaches in southern Maine. Despite restoration efforts such as dune planting and beach scraping, most beaches experienced a net loss of dune area and volume by fall, nine months after the storms. With rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity, it has become increasingly important to restore and protect coastal ecosystems so that they can continue to provide protection from storm surges, erosion, and flooding.

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