Frederic Davidson Awards
Established in 1948 in memory of Professor Frederic Davidson (UC ’90), the Frederic Davidson Awards offer one prize of $2,000, one of $1,000, and one of $625 each year for any type of academic essay.
Conditions Governing the Davidson Awards:
- This award is open to students enrolled in University College or to students from other colleges who are enrolled in University College-sponsored or affiliated courses or programs.
- For entries judged to be of equal strength, preference will be given to essays on English or French literature.
- Course instructors may nominate a student with the student's consent.
- Entries must have received a grade of at least 85%.
- Students registered at UC must submit work in a U of T course. Eligible non-UC students may submit work only from a UC program course or course in an affiliated centre.
- All entries shall automatically be entered into each of the competitions for which they are eligible. Students may submit no more than one entry in each category.
- The Writing Awards Committee may, if appropriate, choose to move an entry to a different category.
- The names of the award winners will appear on the University College website.
- Copyright for award-winning entries shall remain with the author.
- Entries shall be submitted online by May 15.
Enter the Competition
Please note that this contest is only open to UC and UC program students. The submission portal will close on Friday, May 15, 2026 (11:59PM EST).