Mapping Prize
Celebrate Spatial Excellence
There's more than one way to see the world
Maps don't just show us where to go, they have the potential to transform how we see and understand our world. Every year, U-Spatial's Mapping Prize honors the best cartography and spatial analysis produced by University of Minnesota students. Show us how you see the world, and win recognition, cash prizes, and a spot in our winners' gallery.
The U-Spatial Mapping Prizes are made possible by a generous gift from U of M alumnus Jack Dangermond, founder and president of Esri.
Submissions close March 15, 2027 | 11:59 PM
Enter this year's prize
How to enter
Submit your map, along with a title and short description, through the official entry form. Every submission is automatically considered for Best Overall Map.
Eligibility
Open to all University of Minnesota undergraduate and graduate students, across all five campuses → Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and Twin Cities.
Judging & Prizes
Entries are judged across multiple categories, with a $1,000 grand prize for Best Overall Map and $100 awards across categories like Best Cartography, Best Storytelling, and Best Presentation of Research.
Ready to show us your best work?
Prize categories
Best Overall Map
One winner selected from all entries, regardless of category.
Best Cartography
Recognizes exceptional map design and technical craftsmanship: projection, color, and composition done right.
Best Storytelling
Recognizes maps that weave in narrative, turning spatial data into a story worth following.
Best Presentation of Research
Recognizes maps that communicate research findings clearly to an audience outside the field.
Best Use of Maps
Recognizes creative or unexpected uses of mapping to answer a question or make an argument.
Most Provocative
Recognizes maps that challenge assumptions or make you see something familiar in a new way.
Past Winners
Undergrad
Undergrad
Undergrad
Bennett Constant
Undergrad
Undergrad
Christina Keyser
Undergrad
Avian Ciganko-Ford
Mapping Prize FAQ
The questions entrants ask us most, on formats, group work, data sources and what happens after judging. If yours is not here, the Help Desk answers within one business day.
Who can enter?
Any UMN undergraduate or graduate student, any campus.
The Mapping Prize is open to all University of Minnesota undergraduate and graduate students across all five campuses: Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and Twin Cities.
What format should my submission be in?
Link or PDF.
For interactive maps or StoryMaps published through ArcGIS Online, please verify that all content has been shared publicly. For static or paper maps, please upload a PDF to Google Drive and share that link.
Can I win in more than one category?
Yes. Every submission is automatically evaluated across all applicable categories, including Best Overall Map.
Because you don't submit to a specific category, judges evaluate each map on its individual merits. Meaning, a single entry can win a specific topic/style award as well as the Best Overall Map grand prize.
Can I submit as part of a team
Yes, past winners have included collaborators.
Past winning entries have credited collaborators and contributors alongside the primary student entrant, so group or supported work is welcome.