Gay Gaming Professionals Scholarship (ESA Foundation Partnership)

Gay Gaming Professionals Scholarship

Program Status: Active (debuted prior to 2020)

Geographic Scope: United States

Focus Areas:

• Video game arts and design
• LGBTQ+ community service
• Career pathways in the video game industry

Target Audience:

• LGBTQ+ college students
• Students pursuing video game-related degrees
• Students at accredited four-year institutions in the United States
• Students demonstrating commitment to service work in LGBTQ+ communities

Program Overview:
This scholarship is co-awarded by the ESA Foundation and Gay Gaming Professionals. It recognizes and supports students who show a commitment to service work in LGBTQ+ communities while pursuing degrees in the video game industry.

Eligibility:

• Can be combined with the Computer and Video Game Arts Scholarship application
• Students applying for the Computer and Video Game Arts Scholarship can opt-in for this additional scholarship
• Must demonstrate meaningful commitment to LGBTQ+ community service and advocacy

Notable Past Recipients:
Steven Harmon, a game modeling-and-design major at the University of Southern California, was an inaugural winner of the Gay Gaming Professionals scholarship. His PC video game "Awkward Dimensions Redux" has been played more than 300,000 times and earned an honorable mention at the Independent Games Festival in 2017.

Benefits:

• Financial scholarship support
• Networking opportunities with LGBTQ+ professionals in gaming
• Industry mentorship and guidance
• Invitations to educational sessions and major events

Application Process

Application Deadline: Typically March 2 annually at 11:59 PM PST (specific dates vary by year)

Timeline:

• Application period opens in January
• Deadline: March 2 (check website for current year)
• Applicants notified of selection results: Mid-June
• Funds disbursed: August

How to Apply:

1. Apply through the Computer and Video Game Arts Scholarship application
2. Opt-in for the Gay Gaming Professionals scholarship during the application process
3. Submit all required materials before the deadline

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be pursuing a degree in a video game-related field
• Must identify as LGBTQ+ or demonstrate significant commitment to LGBTQ+ community service
• Must be enrolled at an accredited four-year institution in the United States
• Must be a full-time student

Required Materials:

• Academic records
• Personal essay describing your commitment to LGBTQ+ community service and your passion for video games
• Letters of recommendation from academic and/or community service references
• Evidence of LGBTQ+ community involvement or advocacy
• Demonstrated commitment to pursuing a video game-related career

Contact & Support:

• For FAQs and technical support, visit ESA Foundation website
• Contact ESA Foundation or Gay Gaming Professionals directly for questions