ESA Foundation opens applications for scholarships

April 2, 2026 - 02:17

The ESA Foundation has officially opened the application window for its annual scholarship program, dedicated to supporting the next generation of video game industry professionals. The initiative is specifically aimed at women and minority students who are pursuing degrees leading to careers in video game arts and sciences.

Each selected scholar will receive a financial award of $3,000 to aid in their educational expenses for the upcoming academic year. The program underscores the foundation's commitment to fostering greater diversity and inclusion within the gaming ecosystem by empowering students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Eligibility requires applicants to be current full-time undergraduates at accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. They must be pursuing degrees in fields directly related to video game development, such as computer science, graphic design, animation, or software engineering. The application process is now live, and all submissions must be completed by the published deadline to be considered for the award.

By providing both financial assistance and industry recognition, the ESA Foundation scholarship seeks to lower barriers to entry and cultivate a more diverse talent pipeline for the future of interactive entertainment.