Esri Young Scholars Award program 2026

🏆 About the Esri Young Scholars Award Program

The Esri Young Scholars Award Program competition is held annually to select the Esri Young Scholar for Canada. This opportunity is open to any student enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program at a Canadian college or university who has completed a project or research using Esri technology.

Sponsor Organization:

• Esri Canada

🎁 Benefits of the Esri Young Scholars Award Program

• 1st Place:

  • Complimentary registration for the Education Summit @ Esri UC and Esri User Conference
  • Airfare to and from San Diego
  • Hotel accommodations and per diem for the stay in San Diego
  • An acrylic award
  • An ArcGIS for Personal Use license

• 2nd Place:

  • $500 bursary

• Additional Awards:

  • Esri Press eBooks may be awarded to meritorious students at the discretion of the judges.

📜 Eligibility Criteria

• Any student currently enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university in Canada is eligible to apply. This includes students enrolled in college diploma or certificate programs.

📑 Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

• Story Map: A public ArcGIS StoryMap that highlights the objectives, methods, and results of their use of Esri technology. All fields in the item overview page must be completed.
• Personal Statement: A brief description of their experience with GIS, future plans using GIS, and reasons for attending the Esri User Conference (UC).
• Academic Transcripts: Transcripts for all post-secondary education. Official, hard copy transcripts are not required; transcripts obtained through a college or university’s online system will be accepted.
• Letter of Support: A letter from an instructor or faculty member familiar with their work and experience with GIS.
• Application Form: Includes name, email address, educational institution, and program of study.
• Consent: Permission for Esri Canada to use their submitted work and name. Intellectual property rights to the work remain with the applicant.

📅 Application Date and Process

Application Deadline:

• 23 February, 2026

Application Process:

Applicants must submit the following:

1. An ArcGIS StoryMap showcasing their project or research using Esri technology.
2. A personal statement detailing their GIS experience, future plans, and motivation for attending the Esri UC.
3. Academic transcripts for all post-secondary education.
4. A letter of support from an instructor or faculty member.
5. A completed application form with personal and educational details.

🌐 Scholarship Application Portal

• View details of the Esri Young Scholars Award Program here.
• Apply for the Esri Young Scholars Award Program here.

For more information, visit the official Esri Canada website or contact your institution's GIS department.

• 1st Place: Complimentary registration for the Education Summit @ Esri UC and Esri User Conference; airfare to and from San Diego; hotel and per diem for their stay in San Diego; an acrylic award; and an ArcGIS for Personal Use license.
• 2nd Place: $500 bursary
• Esri Press eBooks may be awarded to meritorious students at the discretion of the judges.