ACES Education Fund Scholarship 2026/2027: Eligibility, Benefits, Requirements and How to Apply

The ACES Education Fund Scholarship is an annual scholarship programme for university students who are interested in editing and want to develop a career working with written content. It is offered through the ACES Education Fund, the charitable arm of the American Copy Editors Society (ACES).

The programme is open to eligible undergraduate and graduate students, and applicants do not have to be United States citizens or residents. This makes it an opportunity worth considering for qualified international students, including applicants from Nigeria.

For the 2026/2027 application cycle, the official ACES scholarship page gives November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time as the application deadline. Applicants should review the official instructions and application form carefully before submitting their materials.

About the ACES Education Fund Scholarship

The ACES Education Fund supports students who show an interest in editing as a profession. The programme recognises that effective editing is important in journalism, publishing, communications, education and other fields where written information must be clear and accurate.

Six scholarships are awarded annually. Five are general ACES scholarships, while the sixth is the Bill Walsh Scholarship, which specifically recognises students interested in news editing. The fund has awarded more than 150 scholarships since 1999.

ACES Education Fund Scholarship 2026/2027: Quick Details

The dates and award details above are published on the official ACES scholarship page.

Scholarship Benefits

The ACES Education Fund Scholarship provides financial awards to students who demonstrate potential in editing. The value depends on the specific scholarship received.

1. Four ACES Scholarships worth $1,500 each

Four applicants selected under the general ACES scholarship category receive $1,500 each. These awards are intended for students who demonstrate critical thinking about written materials and an interest in pursuing editing professionally.

2. Aubespin Scholar award worth $2,500

One of the five general ACES scholarship recipients is selected as the Aubespin Scholar. This applicant receives $2,500.

The award honours Merv Aubespin, a former president of the National Association of Black Journalists who helped inspire the creation of ACES.

3. Bill Walsh Scholarship worth $3,500

The Bill Walsh Scholarship is intended for a student who wants to build a career in news editing and demonstrates excellence in editing news content.

The selected recipient receives $3,500. This award honours Bill Walsh, a longtime copy editor at The Washington Post and an influential figure in the editing profession.

4. Financial assistance to attend the ACES conference

Winners of the five general ACES scholarships are eligible for financial assistance to attend the organisation’s national in-person conference. The Bill Walsh Scholarship also includes financial aid to attend the conference.

Conference assistance is subject to the programme’s arrangements and should not be interpreted as an automatic cash payment to every applicant.

Eligible Fields of Study

One important feature of the ACES Education Fund Scholarship is that applicants are not restricted to journalism, English, communications or publishing programmes.

The official scholarship requirements state that awards are offered without regard to a student’s field of academic concentration. However, applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in editing as a career.

Students studying fields such as the following may consider applying if they can demonstrate relevant editing experience or career plans:

• Journalism and Mass Communication

• English and Literature

• Linguistics

• Publishing and Media Studies

• Communications

• Education

• Political Science

• Law

• Business Administration

• Information and Digital Media

These are examples, not a formal list of approved courses. Applicants from other academic disciplines may also qualify.

Eligibility Requirements for the ACES Education Fund Scholarship

Applicants must meet the programme’s academic and professional-interest requirements before submitting an application.

1. Complete at least one year of higher education

Applicants must have completed at least one year of higher education before the application deadline.

This requirement means the scholarship is not designed for students applying directly from secondary school without any completed higher education.

2. Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme

Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme on November 15, 2026, the application deadline.

Students should ensure their enrolment status meets the requirement when they submit their applications.

3. Demonstrate an interest in editing as a career

Applicants must show that they are interested in developing a professional career involving editing.

The selection committee looks for people who can improve written materials by making them clearer, more accurate and more engaging.

4. Meet the requirements of the selected scholarship

Applicants for the five general ACES scholarships should demonstrate a commitment to editing written materials and show effectiveness in that area.

Candidates for the Bill Walsh Scholarship must aspire to edit news and demonstrate an interest and ability in language and journalism.

5. Meet the programme’s exclusion rules

Previous recipients of ACES scholarships cannot apply again. Members of the ACES Board of Directors, ACES administrators and their family members are also ineligible.

6. Nationality and residence are not restricted

The scholarship is open without regard to nationality or residence. Therefore, international students, including eligible Nigerian students, may apply if they satisfy the academic and editing requirements.

These eligibility conditions are stated on the official ACES website.

Documents and Information to Prepare

The official scholarship page links to separate application forms for the general ACES scholarships and the Bill Walsh Scholarship. It does not provide a complete public checklist of every document requested inside those forms.

Applicants should therefore read the relevant form before submitting their materials. Based on the programme’s stated assessment criteria and application information, it is sensible to prepare:

• A current résumé or curriculum vitae.

• Details of your university or graduate programme.

• Information about your academic background and completed higher education.

• Examples of editing work or evidence of your editing experience.

• A clear explanation of your interest in editing as a career.

• Names, professional titles and contact details of people who can discuss your editing skills or career plans, if requested by the form.

• Any written responses or supporting materials requested in the application.

Do not assume that every item on this preparation list is a compulsory document. Follow the exact instructions in the current application form.

How to Apply for the ACES Education Fund Scholarship 2026/2027

Applications are submitted online through the official ACES website. The organisation provides separate forms for the general scholarships and the Bill Walsh Scholarship.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official scholarship website

Go to the ACES scholarship page:

https://aceseditors.org/awards/aces-scholarships/

Read the eligibility requirements, award descriptions and application instructions before choosing a scholarship.

Step 2: Choose the appropriate scholarship category

Applicants interested in editing written materials can apply for one of the five general ACES scholarships.

Students who specifically aspire to edit news and can demonstrate an interest in journalism and news editing should consider the Bill Walsh Scholarship.

Step 3: Open the correct application form

Use the appropriate application link published on the official ACES page:

• General ACES Scholarship application

• Bill Walsh Scholarship application

The forms are separate. Make sure you complete the correct one for the award you want to pursue.

Step 4: Complete the application accurately

Provide the requested academic information, editing experience and career plans. Explain why editing is important to your professional goals and give relevant examples of your ability to improve written content.

Step 5: Review your application

Check your responses and supporting materials carefully. Make sure the information is accurate and that you have followed the instructions in the form.

Step 6: Submit before the deadline

Submit your completed application by November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Do not wait until the final hours, particularly if you need time to correct missing information.

Can You Apply for Both the General ACES Scholarship and the Bill Walsh Scholarship?

Yes. ACES allows a student to apply for both the Bill Walsh Scholarship and one of the other five general scholarships.

However, an applicant can receive only one of the awards. This means that even if a student is considered for both categories, they cannot win two ACES scholarships in the same selection cycle.

Selection Process

The ACES Education Fund uses a judging process involving two separate panels, each made up of five people.

The official website describes the selection process as a two-stage assessment.

First stage: Finalist selection

Judges review applications and select finalists in December.

Second stage: Timed editing test

Finalists take a timed editing test in early January. The test results are added to their portfolios, after which a second round of judging determines the scholarship recipients.

The organisation does not publish a guaranteed date for the final announcement on its main scholarship page. Applicants should monitor official ACES communications for updates.

Important Deadline and Application Conditions

The 2026/2027 application window runs from August 15 to November 15, 2026. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the final date.

Applicants should take note of the following conditions:

• Applications must be submitted through the official scholarship process.

• Applicants must meet the higher education and enrolment requirements.

• A demonstrated interest in editing as a career is essential.

• Previous ACES scholarship winners are not eligible.

• Applicants may pursue the Bill Walsh award and one general ACES scholarship, but may win only one.

• The application links are available during the published application window.

For clarification about application requirements, applicants can contact ACES Education Fund President Lisa McLendon at lisamc@aceseditors.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the ACES Education Fund Scholarship open to international students?

Yes. The scholarship is awarded without regard to nationality or residence. Eligible international students, including Nigerians, may apply if they meet the academic and career-interest requirements.

2. How much is the ACES Education Fund Scholarship worth?

The five general ACES scholarships include four awards of $1,500 and one Aubespin Scholar award of $2,500. The Bill Walsh Scholarship is worth $3,500.

3. What is the application deadline for the 2026/2027 scholarship?

The deadline is November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

4. Can undergraduate students apply?

Yes. Undergraduate students may apply if they have completed at least one year of higher education and are enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme by the deadline.

5. Can graduate students apply?

Yes. Graduate students are eligible, provided they meet the programme’s academic and editing-interest requirements.

6. Must applicants study journalism or English?

No. Applicants from any academic field may apply. However, they must demonstrate an interest in pursuing editing as a career.

7. Can Nigerian students apply for the ACES Education Fund Scholarship?

Yes. The official eligibility rules do not restrict applicants by nationality or residence. Nigerian students who meet the academic and other requirements may submit an application.

8. Can I apply for both the Bill Walsh Scholarship and a general ACES scholarship?

Yes. Applicants may apply for the Bill Walsh Scholarship and one of the five general ACES scholarships. However, they can receive only one award.

9. When will the scholarship winners be announced?

The official selection process states that finalists are selected in December and take a timed editing test in early January. A specific final announcement date is not stated on the main scholarship page.

10. Where can I get more information about the scholarship?

Visit the official ACES scholarship website at https://aceseditors.org/awards/aces-scholarships/ or contact Lisa McLendon at lisamc@aceseditors.org.

Conclusion

The ACES Education Fund Scholarship 2026/2027 is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students who want to build careers in editing. With six annual awards ranging from $1,500 to $3,500, the programme supports students who can demonstrate strong editing skills, critical thinking and a commitment to improving written communication.

Its eligibility rules make it accessible to students from different academic backgrounds and countries, including Nigeria. Interested applicants should review the official requirements, prepare their application materials and submit the appropriate form before November 15, 2026.

For the latest instructions and application links, visit the official ACES Scholarships page.