REDLANDS, Calif., Aug. 20, 2012  -- Esri, PCI Geomatics, MDA, and RapidEye today announced their new Natural Resources Imagery Grant Program. The grant program will provide software, data, and training for detecting and analyzing land-cover change through the combined use of geographic information system (GIS), image processing, and remote-sensing technologies.

Designed to foster innovative approaches that solve natural resources management problems, the Natural Resources Imagery Grant Program will provide 20 grants valued at $100,000 each. The grant includes the following:

• Esri GIS software and training
• PCI Geomatics imagery processing and analysis software and training
• MDA RADARSAT-2 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery
• RapidEye 5-meter multispectral imagery

"GIS and image processing are mission-critical technologies in natural resources management," said Jack Dangermond, president, Esri. "This grant opportunity will help organizations expand their existing imagery or GIS infrastructure and more efficiently support sustainable land-use management."

Companies, educational institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), state and regional governments, or tribal governments within the United States may apply. Eligible projects are those that focus on remotely sensed imagery beyond the visible spectrum. Preferred projects will also demonstrate increased efficiency, productivity, or accuracy.

"Technology leaders and innovators should be presented with opportunities to advance their resources projects," said Terry Maloney, president and CEO, PCI Geomatics. "This imagery grant program will bring solutions to the natural resources industries through inventive and operational use of satellite imagery."

Applications for the Natural Resources Imagery Grant Program will be accepted beginning in September 2012 and ending November 16, 2012. Learn more at esri.com/grants/imagery.

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