The 2026/27 EDCO Scholarship Application period is now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied. 

The EDCO Scholarship Fund was established by the EDCO Professional Development Committee. The purpose of the fund is to encourage and assist members, especially those new to the profession, in achieving or maintaining one's professional designation (Ec.D. or CEcD). 

The program funds $4,000 of professional development annually. Funds are dispersed as follows*: 

  • $1,000 scholarships to Northern Ontario recipients 
  • $1,000 scholarships to Southern Ontario recipients 
  • $1,000 to an emerging professional recipient 
  • $1,000 to an organization for DEI training 

*An emerging professional is defined as someone who has been in the economic development profession for less than five years. 

*The EDCO Scholarship Committee has the discretion to distribute funds differently based on program intake each year. 

The committee will review and select the winning applications. The information provided in the application will determine the need for professional development and the ability to pursue professional development opportunities that contribute to the Ec.D. or CEcD certifications.

Please review the EDCO Scholarship Guidelines 2026-2027 in detail.

Eligibility 

Applicants must be a member of EDCO in good standing, with a commitment to maintaining a membership in future years. Students may apply provided they apply for an Emerging Professional Membership and the membership is paid by the time applications are due. Each individual is only eligible to receive one scholarship from this program for their lifetime. 

Current EDCO Board of Directors and those evaluating applications are not eligible for the scholarship. View the EDCO Scholarship Guidelines 2026-2027 for eligibility criteria. 

Please make sure to read the Scholarship Guidelines in full before submitting an application.

We are thrilled to announce the 2026/2027 EDCO Scholarship Recipients:

  • Robyn Jackowski    – Northern Recipient
  • Fatema Sadriwala – Emerging Professional Recipient
  • Brenna Carroll  – Southern Recipient

Thank you to everyone who applied.

"The EDCO Scholarship has arrived at the right moment in my career. As an emerging economic development professional, I have been working toward my Ec.D. designation while building my experience across municipal innovation programs in the GTA. This scholarship removes a genuine barrier and lets me continue that journey with the support of Ontario's economic development community. What makes EDCO special is that it does not just recognize experienced practitioners; it actively invests in the people who are still becoming. I am grateful to the PD Committee and look forward to giving back to this community throughout my career."

Fatema Sadriwala