ESA Foundation awards 31 university students scholarships to support careers in games and esports
The ESA Foundation has awarded scholarships totaling $5,000 to $10,000 to 31 university students pursuing careers in game development and esports. The initiative supports two distinct programs: the Computer and Video Game Arts and Sciences Scholarship and the Esports Scholarship, each designed to cultivate talent in specific areas of the gaming industry.
Beyond financial assistance, scholarship recipients receive comprehensive mentoring sessions and networking opportunities with industry professionals. The program provides access to major industry events, including the GDC Festival of Gaming, enabling students to build connections and gain exposure to the broader gaming community.
The 2026-27 cohort represents significant geographic diversity, with scholarship recipients attending prominent universities including UC Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, University of Southern California, Howard University, Dartmouth, University of Oregon, and Tennessee Tech. This broad institutional representation reflects the ESA Foundation’s commitment to supporting aspiring game developers and esports professionals across different regions and backgrounds.
The scholarships underscore the gaming industry’s continued investment in developing the next generation of talent while providing accessible educational pathways for students interested in gaming careers.