The Dalton Camp Award is a $10,000 prize for the best essay on the link between media and democracy, presented annually by FRIENDS (formerly FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting). FRIENDS launched the award in 2002 to honour the memory of Dalton Camp, a distinguished commentator on Canadian public affairs.
Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, regardless of age, student or professional status may enter for the $10,000 prize. Students enrolled in a recognized post-secondary institution are also eligible for the $2,500 Student Prize. FRIENDS encourages and welcomes applications from across genders, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs.
How to Apply
- Eligibility
- Application
- Judging
- Terms
Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, regardless of age, student or professional status, may enter this essay contest except members of the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting Board of Directors, its employees, retained consultants or business associates, and members of the Selection Committee; as well as their immediate family members. Previous winners are ineligible.
Post-secondary students may also enter their essay for a secondary Student Prize. Students who wish to be considered for the additional Student Prize must self-identify at the time of entry in order to be eligible. For purposes of the Prize, a student is defined as someone who is enrolled full-time at a recognized post-secondary institution, at time of entry or at any time during the same calendar year.
To apply, submit an essay written in English up to 2,000 words in length on the topic ofthe link between media and democracy
Submissions will only be accepted through the online submission form. Essays submitted through any other means will not be accepted.
Deadline for submission: January 6, 2023 at 8pm EST.
Please read the Rules and Regulations before you submit your essay.
The Selection Committee will award one prize of $10,000 for the best overall essay from among all eligible entries received.
The Selection Committee will award one additional Student prize of $2,500 for the best essay submitted by an eligible entrant who at the time of entry is, or at any time during the same calendar year, was a student at a recognized post-secondary institution.
Decisions of the Selection Committee are final.
Deadline to enter is January 5, 2026, at 8pm EST.
No photographs or other visual images may be submitted.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting may publish the winning essay(s), as well as the name and the biographical sketch submitted by the winning entrant(s), in any medium, including electronically over the Internet, at a time of its choosing after the Award is announced. Each winner is required to grant a licence or assignment to this effect.