Program provides recipients with mentoring and networking opportunities at industry events. The ESA Foundation has awarded scholarships worth $5,000 to $10,000 to 31 university students to support careers in game development and esports.
The ESA Foundation has awarded scholarships worth $5,000 to $10,000 to 31 university students to support careers in game development and esports. The recipients, part of the 2026-27 cohort, come from various universities across the US, including UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Yale. The program includes two types of scholarships - the Computer and Video Game Arts and Sciences Scholarship and the Esports Scholarship. In addition to financial support, students receive mentoring sessions and the chance to attend industry events like the GDC Festival of Gaming.
One of the scholars, Xavier Gonzalez, expressed gratitude for the program, stating that it has connected him with like-minded individuals and provided valuable learning experiences. The ESA Foundation also raised $1.15 million at its Nite to Unite fundraiser, which sponsored the scholarships and supported various initiatives such as workforce development and inclusion. To date, the foundation has raised over $24 million and granted more than 475 scholarships to underrepresented youth.
The ESA Foundation's executive director, Sue Madden, emphasized the importance of nurturing passionate individuals and helping them forge a career in the video game industry through the scholarship program.
