The Estes Memorial Teaching Award was inaugurated in 2003 in honor of Professor John E. "Jack" Estes, teacher, mentor, scientist, and friend of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Funding for the Award, initially provided by a corporate sponsor, lapsed in 2016. In 2020-21, the ASPRS Foundation trustees, in recognition of the important niche this Award occupies in ASPRS, reallocated a portion of the Foundation’s general-purpose funds to fully endow the Award at a minimum $2,000 level.

This Award, which includes a presentation plaque and a check, is intended to be presented annually. The purpose of the Award to recognize individual achievement in the promotion of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) technology and applications through educational efforts. Award recipients are chosen based on documented excellence in education, teaching, mentoring, and training.

Nominations for the Award are solicited from active members of ASPRS, including representatives from ASPRS's Regions, by the Estes Award Selection Committee and are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Professional duties with a significant role in education, teaching, mentoring, and training in the areas of remote sensing and GIS
• Documented excellence in education, teaching, mentoring, and training
• A demonstrated commitment to the advancement of student learning in remote sensing and GIS

Further information and application details will be available on the ASPRS web site in the early Fall.

Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 1,500 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.

Founded in 1979, The ASPRS Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) 3 organization established to provide grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of aid to individuals or organizations pursuing knowledge of imaging and geospatial information science and technology, and their applications across the scientific, governmental, and commercial sectors.