Canadian Cartographic Association
Mapping Competition
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President’s Prize

Canadian Cartographic Association President’s Prize

This CCA President’s Prize recognizes excellence in student map design and production and is open to all students who have individually completed and produced a thematic map during the academic year preceding our annual conference at which the prize is awarded. Each year CCA offers two prizes of $250, one for a winning entry from a college-level or CEGEP student, and one for a winning entry from a university-level student. Entries are invited from all students studying at Canadian institutions. Note: Although there is no specific category, entries from High School students are welcome and will be considered.

A thematic map communicates a single thematic topic (or a small set of related themes) for a particular geographic area, can be defined as a special purpose map, and can be quantitative, qualitative, or hybrid in nature. According to the International Cartographic Association (ICA), a thematic map is “designed to demonstrate particular features or concepts. In conventional use this term excludes topographic maps” (Dent 1999, 8).

Eligible entries will consist of a map or a map series forming a coherent whole (designed for printing as a single map or a poster displaying several maps). There are no restrictions on size but the project must have been completed and produced during the school year preceding the competition. To be an eligible submission, your map does not have to be the result of a course project but we ask for an instructor endorsement to verify that you are a student and, in some cases, to assist us in contacting you during judging. The competition is open to maps individually created by students. Group projects are not eligible.

Note: The deadline for applications for this mapping competition is May 8, 2026.

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Evaluation Criteria:

Each entry must be accompanied by a clear and succinct statement of design objectives and methods that will be considered carefully by the judges along with your map.

Communication / Presentation – Does the map present an understandable, interesting story with an identifiable theme, purpose and audience in mind?

Cartographic Design – Does the map make good use of cartographic design principles and tools, balancing and compellingly presenting necessary data layers?

Completeness and Coherence – Is the map sufficiently explained  (through use of cartographic elements, accompanying text, etc.) to be understandable to the intended audience? Are data sources appropriately described? The design objectives and methods statement accompanying the map will we considered along with the map in assessing this criterion.

Design / Effort / Creativity – What new and/or creative aspect of your design work or effort in creating this map are you most proud of? Be sure to briefly describe these aspects in your accompanying statement of objectives and methods.

Submission

All entries must be submitted using the official online entry form below (if there are any issues using the form, then please do contact us for help). By submitting your map, you are consenting to the CCA using copies of your map on the CCA website and in various publications (CCA does not assume ownership or copyright of your map).

Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of three judges, selected from the current CCA executive committee.

Thank you for thinking about submitting an entry. We look forward to reviewing your map.

CCA Mapping Competition – President’s Prize Application Form

Note: Fields marked with a * are required


Past CCA Presidents Prize Recipients

2023 Presidents Prize Winner

President’s Prize (University Level)

Presidents Prize (College Level)

2020 Presidents Prize Winner

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