ACES Bill Walsh Scholarship

About this scholarship

The ACES Bill Walsh Scholarship recognizes a college or graduate student who demonstrates exceptional talent and commitment in editing news. The winner receives $3,500 and is also eligible for financial assistance to attend the ACES national in-person conference. Applicants may study any academic field and may live in any country; nationality and residence do not determine eligibility. They must, however, have completed at least one year of higher education, be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program when applications close, and show a serious interest in editing as a career. The strongest candidates demonstrate the judgment, precision, curiosity, and passion for language and journalism associated with the late Washington Post copy editor Bill Walsh. ACES uses a two-stage selection process. Judges first review applications and portfolios in December, then finalists complete a timed editing test in early January before the final decision. Students may apply simultaneously for the Bill Walsh award and the other ACES Education Fund scholarships, but they can receive only one. Previous ACES scholarship winners and ACES board members, administrators, and their families are ineligible. Applications close November 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

Eligibility

• Have completed at least one year of higher education
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program on November 15, 2026
• Aspire to a career that includes editing news
• Demonstrate talent, judgment, and passion for language and journalism
• Submit the dedicated Bill Walsh Scholarship application and requested portfolio materials
• Complete a timed editing test in January if selected as a finalist
• Not be a previous ACES scholarship winner or an excluded ACES insider or family member
• Submit by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 15, 2026