North Carolina is a leading state in the geospatial industry, due, in part, to the excellence exhibited by the GIS professionals that live and work in this great state. In that spirit, NCAUG strives to ensure that the next generation of GIS professionals have ample opportunity to receive a great education. NCAUG awards academics scholarships to current students who are pursuing degrees or doing projects that benefit the geospatial industry.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for a scholarship, Undergraduate and Graduate students must:
-
Be an attendee of an accredited North Carolina Community College or University in the 2026/2027 school year with a declared major in Geography, GIS, Geomatics or a related field.
-
Not be a previous NCAUG Scholarship Award Recipient.
-
Fully complete the application before the deadline.
Scholarship Awards
Our scholarship award amounts for 2026 are as follows.
Undergraduate: $2,000
Graduate: $3,000
Award recipients will also receive a free registration to the NCAUG Annual Conference as well as complimentary room and board for one night. Winners will also have the opportunity to present their work at the conference.
Application Instructions
1. Provide one letter of reference from a GIS Professor or the department chair. This letter must be emailed directly from your reference to the NCAUG Board at ncaugboard@gmail.com and must arrive before the application deadline.
2. Provide one project example such as a poster, application or paper which highlights geospatial techniques.
3. Provide an unofficial transcript from the currently attending school.
4. Provide a written statement that includes:
(maximum two pages, double-spaced, times new roman 12 font).
A. Describe your career goals as they relate to the geospatial industry.
B. Describe the project example you have included and why has this interested you?
C. How would you expand on this work to impact society or further the knowledge of this topic?
SCHOLARSHIPS
2026 Scholarship Applications are CLOSED!
If you have any questions please contact:
Sangwoo (Marty) Sung, Ph.D.
NCAUG Scholarship Chair
Email: ssung@ncdot.gov
NCAUG Scholarship Winners - 2026
Congratulations to our outstanding recipients for this year's scholarship drive!
Jaritza Quinones Hernandez
Undergraduate - Fayetteville State University
BIO:
Jaritza Quinones Hernandez is a junior at Fayetteville State University, majoring in Geospatial Science with a minor in Intelligence Studies. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jaritza discovered her interest in geospatial science through her curiosity for understanding how data and maps can tell stories about the world around us. She is a two-time recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence in 2025 and 2026.
Jaritza currently, works as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at Fayetteville State University. Through her research, Jaritza gained valuable experience using GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis to study environmental challenges and explore how geospatial data can support real-world decision-making in various sectors. She is also involved with the Geospatial Science Club, where she continues to learn, collaborate, and grow alongside her peers.
As she continues her academic journey, Jaritza hopes to become a GEOINT professional, specializing in remote sensing and spatial analysis. She is excited to expand her knowledge and gain professional experience through her upcoming GEOINT internship with the Harris-Stowe State University Career Immersion Summer Program 2026.
Brendan Burchi
Graduate - East Carolina University
BIO:
Brendan’s research studies how oyster breakwaters influence sediment movement along a saltmarsh shoreline. He conducts seasonal drone surveys that capture high-resolution imagery to produce uncertainty-aware data products focusing on geomorphic change and the marsh-intertidal-nearshore system. As Brendan finishes his masters work, he is excited to begin his PhD in Integrated Coastal Sciences in Fall 2026 at East Carolina University where he will continue to strengthen his remote sensing and GIS background.