Link to Full Details: https://akamafund.org/esriukaccelerator/
The Geospatial Student Accelerator 2024 marks a ground-breaking initiative, offering annual awards to students from diverse backgrounds who may not have previously considered a career in the geospatial industry. This initiative is proudly inaugurated in partnership with Esri UK, a global leader in geographic information system (GIS) software. Akama Fund, a non-profit dedicated to widening access to higher education scholarships, takes immense pride in unveiling this transformative student accelerator program.
Accelerator Benefits
- Students can receive cash awards up to £2,500. Ten students will be selected each year.
- 50 students will receive vouchers worth £300 for field materials and outdoor gear.
- All eligible applicants will receive access to mentorship programs, personal development workshops and networking opportunities.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Accelerator, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Currently studying in the UK in an undergraduate or postgraduate program in Geography, Landscape Architecture, Biology, Archaeology, and Earth & Environmental Studies related fields.
- From a Black & Mixed Black background (except for the San Diego award which open to all geospatial students)
- Have a household income below £50,000 evidenced by a means-tested assessment as part of your application for a student loan.
- The San Diego trip award is open to geospatial students from all backgrounds who use Esri’s ArcGIS System and are eligible to travel to the US. Find out more about the San Diego award and apply here. Apply below for the full Accelerator.
Application Process
- Complete the short online application by March 31st, 2024.
- All eligible applicants will be contacted.
- Shortlisted candidates for the financial award will be notified by early April 2024 and invited to a brief interview process.
Email [email protected] with any questions on the accelerator or for further information.
“The Geospatial Student Accelerator scheme has been designed to widen the scope of support for students from Black and mixed Black backgrounds, in line with Esri UK’s dedication to cultivating a more inclusive and diverse geospatial community,”
explained Pete Wilkinson, Managing Director of Esri UK.
“By increasing the number of financial awards and easing the burden of applying, working with Akama we want to identify and nurture a higher number of talented individuals and accelerate their journey towards a geospatial career.”
Akama Fund is providing its scholarship application platform and student outreach, while Esri UK is funding the programme. The new scheme removes some of the stress and burden of applying for scholarships due to Akama’s proven two-stage process and its staff who support and encourage students throughout the procedure. Thelma Onyeka, Founder and Chair of Akama Fund, commented:
“Each scholarship symbolizes the start of a journey, a journey of a student who can continue their study in the field of their choice, on the road to meeting their unlocked potential“.
This is particularly significant during the cost-of-living crisis, which is affecting students disproportionately with 41 per cent of students contemplating dropout. We’re proud to launch this Geospatial Student Accelerator in partnership with Esri UK.
“At Akama Fund, our vision is a world where every student can pursue a fulfilling career, and in turn, help the generations after them to achieve the same. This is personal to me: my father was orphaned before his first birthday and was raised by a small village in Nigeria. Thanks to his hard work, he managed to get a scholarship which changed the course of his life – and that of me and my family.”
More information about the scheme’s criteria and application process can be found on Akama’s website: https://akamafund.org/esriukaccelerator/