The Claudette Upton Scholarship is an annual, national award that recognizes a promising student editor from among Editors Canada’s student affiliates. It was awarded for the first time in 2010.
About the scholarship
This is a $1,000 scholarship to help support continuing professional development in editing. The cash award is made possible by Editors Canada and its generous donors.
The recipient is encouraged to use the scholarship to attend our national conference, purchase Editors Canada publications or attend association seminars and webinars.
The scholarship will be presented at Editors Canada’s national conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Friday, May 22, 2026.
How to apply
Applicants must be current student affiliates of Editors Canada. The application package is to be submitted in digital format and must include:
- a reference letter from an instructor in the applicant’s course or program, or from a professional mentor;
- a resumé (two pages maximum) describing the applicant’s education and work history; and
- a 300-word statement that answers the following question:
You are editing an in-depth analysis of a political or social issue. You have been engaged as a freelancer because you’re knowledgeable about this issue. You believe the author is well-intentioned, but portions of the analysis seem to deviate from the author’s voice, and in those sections the author presents facts that seem suspect as well as confusing or illogical arguments. You were hired only to edit the grammar and spelling, and enforce the rules of the house style guide. How would you handle this situation?
Submit your application by email to claudetteuptonscholarship@editors.ca.
Deadline
The application package must reach the national office by Friday, March 6, 2026.
Evaluation process
The applications will be evaluated by the scholarship selection committee. The recipient will be the applicant who best demonstrates the following qualities:
- qualities reminiscent of honorary life member Claudette Upton as described below.
- aptitude for editing;
- commitment to pursuing a career as an editor; and
Recipients of the Claudette Upton Scholarship
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Prior to 2018, the application process for the scholarship began the year before the scholarship was awarded. The scholarship’s current schedule has the entire process (from applications to awarding) taking place in the same calendar year. We have shifted the year of the scholarship to reflect this updated schedule. So, aside from the year indicator, nothing has really changed. There was no 2017 scholarship, but we awarded the 2018 Claudette Upton Scholarship in 2018.
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Remembering Claudette Upton
Established in 2009 by West Coast Editorial Associates, the editorial partnership she helped found, this award is named after Editors Canada honorary life member Claudette Reed Upton-Keeley, a gifted editor who loved the English language and was actively involved in social justice and environmental causes throughout her life.
Claudette was born in North Carolina in 1948 and lived in Alaska, Washington, Alberta, British Columbia and the Caribbean before her death in 2008. She worked freelance and in-house, specializing in scientific, medical and historical materials. Claudette also taught editing courses and was a much-loved mentor to many. She is remembered for both her wonderful sense of humour and her sharp mind.
Support the Claudette Upton Scholarship
Help to support Editors Canada awards! We invite you to contribute to these awards that honour the outstanding editors and students in our midst.
We also welcome donations by cheque. Please make your donation payable to “Editors’ Association of Canada” with “Claudette Upton Scholarship” written on the memo line.
Send your donation to
Editors Canada
2967 Dundas Street West, #1449
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Z2
416-975-1379
1-866-226-3348
Founding donors
Martin Keeley
West Coast Editorial Associates
Annual donors
Simon Fraser University, Continuing Studies
West Coast Editorial Associates