Scholarship Value $8,000

Number of Scholarships 8

Description This scholarship program encourages health-and-safety awareness among graduating Ontario high school students who will begin post-secondary studies in fall 2026. It asks applicants to demonstrate volunteer contributions that improve the lived experiences of peers or community members and to submit an original expression (video, essay, podcast, or infographic) on a workplace hazard. The competition is administered by the Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) and awards multiple scholarships to successful applicants. Judges evaluate both the creative submission and the applicant’s volunteer impact.

Key takeaways

• Purpose: raise health-and-safety awareness among new post-secondary students.
• Eligible students must begin post-secondary studies in fall 2026.
• Submission = volunteer statement + one creative piece (video, essay, podcast, or infographic).
• Judging combines creative work and community impact.

History of the Award The scholarships are funded exclusively through the Clifford Pilkey Memorial Golf Fundraiser, held in honour of WHSC’s late founder and first president, Clifford Pilkey. WHSC facilitates the fundraiser but does not use government grants, employer WSIB assessments, or other WHSC revenue to finance the awards. Memorial scholarship names also honour Fred Upshaw, a champion for social justice. The fundraising origin is central to the scholarship’s continuity and identity.

Key takeaways

• Funding comes solely from the Clifford Pilkey Memorial Golf Fundraiser.
• WHSC facilitates the fundraiser but does not use government or WHSC operational funds.
• Scholarship names memorialize Clifford Pilkey and Fred Upshaw.

Eligibility Applicants must be full-time high school students residing in Ontario who will begin their first year of full- or part-time studies at a publicly funded Ontario college or university in fall 2026. Applicants who graduated prior to summer 2025 are not eligible. Immediate family members of WHSC employees are excluded; “immediate family” includes child, stepchild, niece, nephew, grandchild, and sibling. Applicants must submit original work and may enter only as individuals (no team entries).

Key takeaways

• Must be an Ontario resident and current full-time high school student.
• Must begin first post-secondary year in fall 2026; no graduates before summer 2025.
• WHSC employee immediate family members are ineligible.
• Single, individual submission only; work must be original.

Submission requirements Each applicant must submit a single email to Sandy Warden (swarden@whsc.on.ca) that includes a completed application form plus the following documents: a volunteer-activity description (max. 400 words), and a letter of recommendation from a teacher, administrator, or recognized community organization representative. Depending on the chosen medium, the creative piece must be attached (essay or infographic) or uploaded via WeTransfer (video or podcast) with a note in the email. The subject line must read: WHSC Student Scholarship Competition.

Key takeaways

• Send one email to swarden@whsc.on.ca with the subject line specified.
• Required: application form, volunteer description, letter of recommendation.
• Attach essay/infographic or upload video/podcast via WeTransfer and note it in the email.
• Only one submission per applicant.

Content guidelines and media criteria The submission topic: describe a workplace hazard (real or anticipated) affecting young or new workers, explain its impact, describe how a supervisor/employer did or should respond, and discuss prevention measures. Media-specific rules differ: videos and podcasts are up to three minutes; essays must be 600–1,000 words, double-spaced, 12‑pt font, numbered pages, and include a bibliography; infographics must be 1080 x 1350 px. Do not include your name inside the creative file; ensure sources are cited and the work complies with copyright and privacy laws.

Key takeaways

• Topic: workplace hazard, its impact, employer response, and prevention.
• Video/podcast: ≤ 3 minutes; upload via WeTransfer.
• Essay: 600–1,000 words, double-spaced, numbered pages, include bibliography.
• Infographic: 1080 x 1350 px; cite data/sources.
• Do not place your name on the creative submission; work must be original.

Judging and selection criteria A panel selected by WHSC will judge all eligible entries. Entries that meet eligibility will be assessed on: understanding the WHSC vision, development of a point of view, creativity/originality, organization and execution, accuracy of information, and impact/persuasiveness. Scoring is weighted: 70% for the creative submission and 30% for the volunteer-activity contribution. Panel decisions are final and not open to dispute.

Key takeaways

• Judging panel chosen by WHSC.
• Criteria: vision, point of view, creativity, organization, accuracy, impact.
• Weighting: 70% creative piece / 30% volunteer activity.
• Decisions are final.

Awards and disbursement conditions Prizes: first place receives $6,000 (Clifford Pilkey, Founder Memorial Scholarship), second place receives $4,000 (Fred Upshaw Memorial Scholarship), and up to six additional applicants may receive $2,000 each. Scholarship payments are conditional on verification of enrolment: each successful applicant must provide official confirmation from their post-secondary registrar. WHSC may limit the number of awards if suitable submissions do not exist.

Key takeaways

• 1st: $6,000; 2nd: $4,000; up to six others: $2,000 each.
• Winners must provide registrar verification of enrolment to receive funds.
• WHSC may limit awards if entries are insufficient.

Application timeline and notification Applicants who meet eligibility requirements will be contacted in late summer 2026 regarding results. After notification, successful applicants must submit enrolment verification to qualify for the scholarship payment. The review and judging period occurs after submissions close; applicants should monitor their email for correspondence from WHSC. Specific submission deadlines and interim dates are published in official contest materials—refer to WHSC communications for any deadline updates.

Key takeaways

• Winners notified in late summer 2026.
• Enrolment verification required after notification.
• Check official WHSC materials for exact submission deadlines.

Use of submissions and legal notes By entering, applicants grant WHSC the right to use their name, likeness, school, and submitted material (in whole or in part) for promotional or other purposes without additional compensation beyond the scholarship award. WHSC may copy, play, share, and publish submissions and reserves the right to limit awards. WHSC is not responsible for entries that are lost, incomplete, damaged, destroyed, or inaccessible.

Key takeaways

• WHSC may publicly use winning applicants’ names and submitted work without extra payment.
• Submissions may be shared or published by WHSC.
• WHSC is not liable for lost, damaged, or inaccessible entries.

Contact and how to submit Send one email with the required documents to Sandy Warden at swarden@whsc.on.ca and use the subject line: WHSC Student Scholarship Competition. For video or podcast files, upload via WeTransfer (https://wetransfer.com) and note the upload in your email; ensure the file name matches the application form and is accessible/downloadable. Include all attachments in a single email and confirm you have followed the media specifications for your chosen format.

Key takeaways

• Email: swarden@whsc.on.ca; subject line: WHSC Student Scholarship Competition.
• Use WeTransfer for video/podcast uploads and note it in the email.
• Ensure file name matches application and files are downloadable.
• Submit all required documents in one email.