EAASI Launches Third Edition of Outstanding Thesis Award
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- 3 min read
Building on two successful editions, the European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI) has opened submissions for the 2026 Outstanding Thesis Award – “Spatial Business Bridge”, continuing its effort to connect academic innovation with real-world business applications in the geospatial sector.
Since its launch, the award has established itself as a platform for identifying emerging talent and showcasing how advanced geospatial research can translate into operational value. By recognising projects that combine technical excellence with practical relevance, EAASI aims to foster closer collaboration between universities and industry.
“The previous editions have demonstrated the strong potential of academic research to address real industry challenges,” said EAASI Secretary General Marcos Martínez. “We are seeing a growing alignment between innovation in universities and the needs of the aerial surveying sector.”
A Platform for Applied Geospatial Innovation
The EAASI Outstanding Thesis Award focuses on postgraduate research that leverages geospatial technologies from crewed airborne platforms and translates them into tangible business or operational outcomes.
It reflects a broader shift within the sector: from data acquisition alone towards integrated workflows where analysis, interpretation, and application are key drivers of value.
Who Can Apply
The 2026 edition is open to postgraduate students at Master’s, Doctorate or Post-Doctoral level who have submitted their thesis, or equivalent project report, to a European university in 2024, 2025, or 2026.
Submission Deadline
Submissions are open until 31 August 2026.
Award Benefits
The winner of the EAASI Outstanding Thesis Award will receive:
A €2,000 cash prize
Full coverage to attend the EAASI Partner Summit 2026
A certificate of recognition and a
trophy
Inclusion in EAASI’s Hall of Fame
Visibility and publication opportunities through EAASI’s industry channels
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be assessed based on:
Innovation in geospatial data derived from crewed airborne platforms
Understanding of geospatial technologies and their practical applications
Demonstrated value for business decision-making
Real-world relevance and potential for implementation
Building on Proven Success
The first two editions of the award have already highlighted the strength of interdisciplinary, application-driven research and its relevance to the aerial surveying sector. Each edition attracted around 20 high-quality applications from across Europe, confirming both the level of interest and the depth of emerging talent in the field.
In 2024, the award was presented to Quddus Busari for his work on AI-based tree structure analysis using aerial imagery and LiDAR data, developed in collaboration with industry. His research contributed to the enhancement of large-scale environmental datasets and demonstrated clear commercial potential.
In 2025, EAASI recognised Weixiao Gao, Delft University of Technology, for his PhD dissertation “Semantic Understanding of Urban Scenes from Textured Meshes”. His research addressed key challenges in the interpretation and processing of photogrammetric 3D data, developing new methods for automated, semantically rich urban modelling. By bridging computer vision, photogrammetry and geoinformation, his work enables more efficient production of lightweight and accurate 3D city models, with clear benefits for geospatial applications.
Together, these projects illustrate the award’s core objective: to recognise research that not only advances scientific understanding, but also delivers tangible value for industry.
Why It Matters
As the geospatial sector becomes increasingly data-driven, the need for professionals who can bridge technical expertise and real-world application continues to grow.
Through the Outstanding Thesis Award, EAASI supports this transition by:
Encouraging applied, impact-oriented research
Strengthening collaboration between academia and industry
Promoting career pathways within the aerial surveying sector
The initiative is led by EAASI’s Student and University Engagement Committee, chaired by Patrik Meixner, and reflects the association’s long-term vision for a dynamic, skilled and future-oriented workforce.
How to Apply
For more information and submission details, visit:eaasi.eu
Or contact: info@eaasi.eu
About EAASI
The European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI), founded in 2019, represents organisations across the European crewed aerial surveying sector. The association promotes the value of aerial surveying, raises awareness of geospatial data, and supports best practices across the industry.
Inspired by the success of MAPPS, EAASI provides a unified platform to advocate for the interests of the European aerial surveying community. Today, it brings together more than 50 companies, fostering collaboration and supporting the continued development of the sector across Europe.
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