UCGIS I-GUIDE Community Champions expand the community reach of I-GUIDE. Community Champions support the expansion of I-GUIDE topics and concepts into the broader geospatial and convergence science community.  Each Champion works on a pilot project of their own design that aligns with the annual theme and through their work is able to participate directly in I-GUIDE's activities and outreach initiatives. To recognize the valuable contributions and dedicated involvement of the Community Champions, the program offers an honorarium of $3,000 for each cohort member.

2024-2025 Community Champions Theme

This year, the Community Champions will contribute to I-GUIDE’s recently announced Spatial AI Challenge (https://i-guide.io/spatial-ai-challenge-2024/). This Challenge focuses on AI-ready spatial data and related machine learning models and applications while promoting FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles, and responsible and open science practices.

The UCGIS Community Champions will contribute directly to the Challenge within its Track 1 (Data, Models, and Applications). Submissions for this track will present new, open datasets to enhance spatial AI tasks, propose novel spatial AI models, and/or develop innovative AI-informed solutions to geospatial problems. As an example, while many datasets exist for forest fires, there may be gaps in fire risk datasets that integrate remote sensing imagery, ground measurements, and damage assessments—key components for spatial AI models and fire risk management.

The UCGIS Community Champions who are selected this year will

1) submit their completed AI materials to the I-GUIDE Platform before February 1, 2025, so that those materials can serve as useful examples for other scholars who will be competing in I-GUIDE's Spatial AI Challenge overall, and

2) contribute as members of the I-GUIDE Spatial AI Challenge coordination group during the time-frame of February and March, 2025, when other selected researchers are developing their submissions. For example, the Community Champions may be asked to provide assistance to some participants of the Challenge with guidance about how to effectively use the I-GUIDE Platform.

Call for Applications

We invite abstracts from scholars with expertise in developing AI-ready datasets and models, a dedication to FAIR data and open science practice, and a commitment to clear and effective communication around these topics. The Community Champions will play a crucial role in supporting the Spatial AI Challenge, and more broadly, your contributions will support the advancement of spatial AI research and education and help ensure its desired impacts.

To be considered for this opportunity, complete a brief online application (scroll down for the form itself) that will be reviewed by the I-GUIDE and UCGIS Executive Committees.

Eligibility Requirements

• UCGIS Affiliated: Applicants must be currently affiliated with a UCGIS member institution (current UCGIS member institutions are listed here).
• Eligible to Receive Honorarium:  Applicants must be eligible to receive a $3,000 honorarium as part of their participation in the program.
• Only US citizens or permanent residents may apply.  Receiving honoraria is typically an exclusion of student and work visas.
• Up to six (6) Community Champions may be selected this year.

Important Dates

• Tuesday November 26, 2024: Information Session (30 minutes with QA). Register here!  This will be recorded and made available on the UCGIS and I-GUIDE websites.
• Friday December 20, 2024: Applications Due
• Friday January 3, 2025: All Decisions Announced
• February 1, 2025: Complete materials uploaded to the I-GUIDE Platform
• Winter & Spring 2025: Collaborate with the I-GUIDE Platform team to interact with the participants of the Spatial AI Challenge
• September 20, 2025: Project Completion Deadline

Additional Information

Please reach out to Diana Sinton (dsinton@ucgis.org) with any questions or comments regarding the application process or Community Champions program.

Application Form

Name *

First

Last

Email (use your official .edu address) *

Job Title / Role *

Department or Program *

University or Organization Affiliation *

Note: Only individuals currently affiliated with a UCGIS Member institution are eligible to participate in this program. Check this membership list to confirm your institutional eligibility (https://www.ucgis.org/site/members).

Title of Proposed Project (Data, Models, and/or Applications) *

The UCGIS Community Champions will contribute directly to the current I-GUIDE Spatial AI C within its Track 1 (Data, Models, and Applications). Submissions for this track will present 1) new, open datasets to enhance spatial AI tasks, and/or 2) propose novel spatial AI models, and/or 3) develop innovative AI-informed solutions to geospatial problems.

Abstract (written here, or uploaded below)

We invite abstracts (250-300 words) that describe your data sets(s) and model(s) and/or applications.

Uploading of Abstract (optional, can also be inserted above)

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

If you upload a file, it must be a PDF (.pdf) or a Word document (.doc, .docx).

Size of Data and Anticipated Computing Resources *

If relevant to your submission, provide the estimated size of your datasets AND required computing resources for running your model. If not relevant, please indicate so.

Short CV: *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Please provide a brief CV, resume, or biosketch that details your education and research experiences. The document should be succinct (not to exceed two pages) and should be in Word or PDF format. Name your CV: yourfirstname_yourlastname_CV.

Submit Application