URISA Scholarship Program

URISA Scholarship Program 2008

The Oregon & SW Washington chapter of URISA is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and advancing an interdisciplinary approach to developing urban and regional information systems. Providing scholarships to assist in the education of future professionals and advancing research in this discipline are two goals aimed at assisting in this endeavor. The scholarship consists of two awards – a tuition scholarship and a research grant.

Eligibility

Both awards are for undergraduate and graduate students whose field of study includes courses on or research in the field of geographic information systems (GIS). The students must be attending a college or university within the Chapters boundaries, which is the state of Oregon and southwest Washington.

Purpose

The tuition scholarship is designed to help defray the costs of GIS courses. The degree or program the applicant is working towards does not have to be specifically for GIS; however, the student must have an emphasis or focus within the degree on GIS.

The research scholarship is designed to facilitate research focusing on some aspect of GIS. The student can be pursuing a degree in any relevant field.

Award

The scholarship consists of two awards – a general tuition scholarship and a research grant. Each is for $1,000 -- $1,500. Depending upon applications and circumstances, the chapter may choose to award no scholarships, one of each, or two of one.

Application

A request for a tuition scholarship must include:

an application form, (Word File)

the GIS course to be taken within the next six months, and

academic transcripts.

A request for a research scholarship must include:

an application form, (Word File)

academic transcripts, and

a brief research plan.

Submission of technical papers, research reports, or other pertinent items indicating the applicant’s capabilities is encouraged for the research scholarship but not required.

Award Selection

The tuition scholarship will be awarded based on scholastic record and the statement of intent on the application form. The research scholarship will be awarded based on scholastic record and the research plan.

Depending upon applications received and circumstances, the chapter may choose to award no scholarships, one of each, or two of one.

Obligation of the Recipient

Tuition scholarship recipients are required to provide a brief one-page report of their scholastic accomplishments, within one month of completing GIS course for which the award was granted.

Research scholarship recipients are required to provide a brief report of the research findings within two months of completing the research.

Application Form & Timeline

The application form is available here . Applications are due no later then midnight on February 28th, 2008. The successful candidates will be selected by April 1st, and award money will be made available immediately thereafter.