Geospatial Fellows Program subjectId: 690903

The purpose of the fellowship is to enhance, promote, and further develop geospatial information systems (GIS)-oriented student and researcher engagement with domain experts and collections at the University of Miami Libraries, deepening researcher involvement with library resources, and providing opportunities in any disciplinary field to develop research and scholarly work that enhances the geographically and culturally distinctive elements within UM Libraries’ data and distinctive collections. 

Two competitive fellowships, two thousand dollars each, will be awarded during the pilot year, one to a graduate student and one to a professional researcher (postdoctoral or faculty). More information available through the "Apply" tab in this website.

The following possible project areas are examples that have been provided solely to inform candidates interested in applying how geospatial technology and resources available through the university libraries may support projects across different disciplines. Candidates are strongly encouraged to propose projects based on their individual research interests. Anyone interested in applying can request a consultation with a library domain expert to ask questions and investigate how library resources and domain experts may provide support that aligns with their individual research topic.

Have questions before applying or want a pre-application consultation? Please email Dr. Larissa Montas, GIS Librarian, l.montas@umiami.edu.

Application Opens: October 20, 2026

Application Closes: December 1, 2026

Review period: December 1-20, 2026

Results notification: December 21, 2026

Response (accept or decline): January 5, 2027

Fellowship period: January 15, 2027 - May 15, 2027

Through the Research Data & Open Scholarship department, the Libraries provide access to extensive GIS resources and instructional services including specialized workflows to create digital geospatial data from primary sources. This award would create a structured and compensated opportunity for graduate students and faculty researchers to use GIS technologies to conduct research that brings together the best practices in GIS with the unique collections within the Libraries. When possible, the completed projects will be featured in a collection in Scholarship@Miami.

GIS analyses are fundamentally interdisciplinary and field agnostic. UML resources include mixed media content creation and communication tools such as narrative and web applications (e.g., ArcGIS StoryMaps), data dashboards, and open science software (R, Python). Fellows would learn how best to explore and visualize data and use computational approaches for analysis such as machine learning, business analytics, and climate modeling. Providing students and researchers with opportunities to train and scaffold their GIS knowledge will further the UM Libraries’ strategic goals to support curricular innovation, create experiential learning opportunities for students, and develop leading edge research programs. 

The University of Miami Libraries' map collection excels in Florida, Caribbean, and Latin American themes, offering historical maps (16th-20th centuries) of the Americas, alongside extensive topographic, geological, and thematic maps for general use. Additionally, the Libraries possess specialized map holdings in the Jay I. Kislak Collection (Americas) and marine maps via the Rosenstiel School Library. Additionally, UML’s data collections, obtained through subscriptions and data purchases, provide researchers with information critical to globally and locally relevant research questions.

Geospatial research is one of the most multifaceted ways to explore the world we inhabit. Research that uses UML data and distinctive collections will generate geographically distinct insights derived from relationships in time, culture, and geographic space that are fundamentally interdisciplinary and boundary-pushing. Fellows will use GIS software and methodologies to immerse themselves in the Libraries’ world-class collections to produce leading-edge meaningful scholarly output, gaining skills and knowledge which will improve their research and career prospects.

Benefits to Fellows

• Enable innovative research through scaffolding researcher skills at both graduate student and professional researcher (e.g., faculty) levels.
• Elevate engagement with unique and important library resources.
• Enhance research visibility of GIS-based output via featured collection in Scholarship@Miami.

Benefits to University of Miami Libraries

• Augment UML’s researcher support and visibility of GIS services.
• Enhance and promote researcher use of distinct collections with the perspective of time and geography, at the University of Miami Libraries.
• Increase inter-UML collaboration between GIS services and relevant UML domain experts.
• Further UML strategic goals by placing the Libraries at the forefront of GIS-related research support, creating experiential learning opportunities, and developing research programs that are not only state-of-the-art, but also innovative and opportunely capitalize on existing assets such as distinctive collections.

Benefits to University at Large

• Provide a structured and compensated opportunity for interdisciplinary scholars engaging in GIS-related work.
• Expanding GIS-based research opportunities while deepening knowledge of libraries' distinctive collections.
• Research output by the Fellows will showcase the university’s resources through publications, exhibitions, and digital projects.
• Enhanced university reputation through improving public awareness of the value of the collection.
• Create an aspirational program for peer institutions.

Two fellowships will be awarded, one to a graduate student and one to a professional researcher (postdoctoral or faculty):

1. Graduate student ($2000 stipend, $1000 divided into monthly payments and $1000 awarded at end on successful completion).
2. Professional researchers (postdoctoral or faculty) ($2000 stipend, $1000 divided into monthly payments and $1000 awarded at end on successful completion).

Award funds will be dispersed in payments, with an initial $1000 divided in monthly payments during the fall and spring semesters semester starting after winners are announced and the remaining amount provided upon successfully meeting the presentation and publication/sharing requirements.

1. Project demonstrates long-term viability and meaningfully engaged with UML collections to construct original scholarly work.
2. There is rationale for partnering with University Libraries to accomplish the project and the role of library staff in supporting the project.

To fully evaluate the feasibility of the application, the applicant must specify which UML materials they will use and how they will use them within the fellowship’s allotted timeframe. It will be encouraged that applicants proactively work with UML to determine feasibility and resources in advance.  The GIS Librarian (in collaboration with members of the review committee) will assist potential applicants by connecting them to UML resources and domain experts as relevant. In the application, applicants must specify which resources will be used and their current levels of proficiency with GIS software. 

Applicants must submit:

• A curriculum vitae.
• A proposed research abstract (maximum 300 words). The abstract should summarize the research topic and methodology.
• A < 300-word statement on how using the University of Miami collections will benefit their work. This statement should focus on the intended use of collection materials. 
• At least one professional letter of recommendation. Please ask recommender to send letter by email directly to l.montas@umiami.edu.

To apply, please submit all documents here.

• October, 2026
  • program marketing and e-mailing campaign starts.
  • Potential applicants are encouraged to proactively engage with librarians and key UML collaborators and ask questions as they consider applying.
• December 1, 2026
  • Application Deadline
  • Applications sent to committee members.
  • Review applications for feasibility, criteria, and commitment.
• December 15, 2026
  • Committee meets for selection.
  • Notify applicants of outcome of application.
  • Letter of Award sent to fellows by December 21.
• January, 2026
  • Fellowship starts.
  • Welcome Meeting with committee and UML collaborators (date to be confirmed).
  • Meetings with GIS librarian and key UML collaborators as fellows prepare to conduct research.
  • Detailed schedule of progress meetings throughout Spring 2027 semester provided to fellows.
• End of Spring 2027 (end of April 2027 before final exams)
  • Fellows present their results in a public forum.
  • Fellows place scholarly work in repository.
  • Fellows who successfully completed their proposed work are awarded final payment.

GIS Software & Platforms

UM Libraries provide access to industry-standard software, saving users from paying for expensive individual licenses:

• Desktop Software: ArcGIS Pro by Esri, which is the industry standard for spatial analysis, as well as QGIS, the leading free and open-source GIS software.
• Web & Cloud Platforms: ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, and Google Earth Engine for cloud-based mapping.
• Specialized Analysis: Tools for spatial analysis include spatial statistics, 3D analysis, reality mapping, and remote sensing image processing tools.

Because GIS processing requires significant computing power, UM Libraries offer:

• Digital Scholars Lab: Dedicated computer lab equipped with high-end processors (CPUs), advanced graphics cards (GPUs), and adequate RAM to handle spatial files.
• Dual Monitors: Multi-screen setups to make mapping easier. Richter Library’s Creative Studio provides (fee-based) access to large-format printers for high-resolution maps for conferences or presentations.

• US Demographic & Socioeconomic Data: UM libraries provides comprehensive access to US Census Bureau data (American Community Survey (ACS) data, and subscription platforms like Social Explorer , which allow users to easily map income, education, housing, and health data.
• International Data: Global datasets including LandScan (for global population distribution), IPUMS International (harmonized global census data), and Eurostat data.
• Environmental & Physical Data: Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), land use/land cover data, satellite imagery (Landsat, Sentinel), climate & weather data, and soil surveys.
• Historical Cartography: Digitized historical maps, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, and scanned paper maps that have been georeferenced (aligned to real-world coordinates) so they can be layered with modern data.
• UM Libraries provide access to subscripcription premium databases and online research guides to assist in locating data, data repositories, and statistics to use in research..

The University of Miami Libraries' map collection excels in Florida, Caribbean, and Latin American themes, offering historical maps (16th-20th centuries) of the Americas, alongside extensive topographic, geological, and thematic maps for general use. Additionally, the Libraries possess specialized map holdings in the Jay I. Kislak Collection (Americas) and marine maps via the Rosenstiel School Library. Additionally, UML’s data collections, obtained through subscriptions and data purchases, provide researchers with information critical to globally and locally relevant research questions.

Potential UML partners for this initiative include stakeholders and program leads for the University of Miami Libraries' distinctive collections, including the Cuban Heritage Collection, the Kislak Center, the Architecture Research Center, and the Rosenstiel School Library. Key partners with domain expertise and knowledge of collections would be invited to serve on the review committee and participate in the pilot program assessment at the end of the year. An ongoing internal benefit of this pilot program would be increased internal collaboration and support between UML departments.

Expert Support & Consultation

Beyond software, computational tools, geospatial data, and infrastructure, the most valuable resource is UM Libraries domain experts:

• GIS Specialists & Librarian Domain Experts: Experts who support the spatial research cycle from start to end from data discovery, analysis and output data management.
• Workshops & Training: Research Toolkit Workshops are free introductory and advanced sessions on topics like intro to ArcGIS Online, and programming for GIS (R).