AIAS Foundation Scholarship: Empowering Future Game Developers
The AIAS Foundation Scholarship aims to support aspiring students and early professionals in their pursuit of careers within the diverse landscape of game development. Thanks to the generous donation from Mark Cerny, this scholarship fosters talent and leadership, contributing to the growth and innovation of the gaming industry.
Eligibility Criteria for the AIAS Foundation Scholarship
To be eligible for the AIAS Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria. These requirements ensure that the scholarship supports individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to game development and have the potential to make significant contributions to the field.
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be 21 years or older by February 1, 2026. Those under 21 must acknowledge they cannot participate in D.I.C.E. Summit activities, including onsite mentorship.
- GPA Requirement: A minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale is required.
- Citizenship: Applicants do not need to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to apply. However, U.S. citizens must not be on federal terrorism watch lists.
- Ineligibility: Family members of AIAS Foundation board, staff, or major donors ($1000+ contributors) are ineligible. Previous scholarship recipients are also not eligible.
- Accreditation: Academic institutions must be properly accredited. The Foundation reserves the right to determine eligibility based on accreditation.
- Field of Study: Applicants must intend to pursue a career or be working as an early professional in any aspect of game development including, but not limited to: art, animation, programming, engineering, game direction, game design, sound design, law, marketing, and business administration.
Required Documents for Application
Applicants must provide several documents to support their application. These documents provide the AIAS Foundation with a comprehensive view of the applicant's qualifications, aspirations, and potential.
Personal Statement: A personal statement (up to 2 pages) covering:
- Your studies and how they will benefit the game industry.
- Your service, leadership, character, and financial need.
Letters of Recommendation: Two current, signed letters of recommendation from professional or academic supervisors addressing your potential to contribute significantly to the gaming industry. Recommendation letters must come from someone who has served in an academic or professional advisory/supervisorial role. This means that only letters from professors and supervisors will be accepted.
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Academic Transcript and Proof of Enrollment (for students): Online transcript and proof of enrollment.
Proof of Employment (for early professionals): Proof of employment.
How to Apply for the AIAS Foundation Scholarship
The application process involves several steps to ensure that applicants provide all necessary information and documentation.
- Read Information: Carefully read all the information about the program details.
- Register: Click on the "Register" button to complete the registration with required details.
- Log In: After successful registration, use the received credentials to log into your account.
- Apply: Once logged in, click on the "Apply" button.
- Fill Application Form: You will be directed to the application form. Fill in all the required details accurately.
- Prepare Documents: Prepare the necessary documents as specified in the application requirements.
- Upload Documents: Upload these documents in the designated sections of the application form.
- Review Information: Before submitting, review all the information you have provided.
- Submit Application: After that, click on the "Submit” button to submit your application.
Application materials must be submitted electronically through the online application form.
Financial Assistance and Benefits
The AIAS Foundation Scholarship provides significant financial assistance and professional development opportunities to its recipients. Student scholarship recipients receive a $2,500 tuition reimbursement. Both student and early professional scholarship recipients receive an all-expense paid trip to the D.I.C.E. Summit.
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All scholars participate in a year-long mentorship program and are eligible to participate in a professional training and networking opportunity at the D.I.C.E. Summit. An industry mentor, specifically matched to help best suit each scholar, meets with the scholar at least once a month virtually and in-person at the D.I.C.E. Summit.
The scholarships have made a powerful impact for up-and-coming game developers and business professionals across a wide range of disciplines. The program includes over 200+ industry mentors in the mentor database, with many having been involved in the mentoring program as well as being workshop leaders both virtually and in-person with curated topics specific to each scholar and cohort. A sample of topics include AAA vs. Indie game development; Game Production 101; Resume/Portfolio Best Practices; Branding Yourself; and Soft Skills Tips and Tricks.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
While the AIAS Foundation Scholarship is a valuable resource, several other scholarship opportunities are available to students pursuing higher education.
- SEMA Memorial Scholarships: Offered by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).
- Kazakhstan Early Acceptance Scholarship: Available at Macquarie University.
- Byte Into STEM Scholarship: Supports students in Campbell Family Engineering Medical Bachelors programs.
- Global Development and Humanitarian Practice Scholarship: Offered at Oxford Brookes University.
- Heads of School Scholarship: Available at Bangor University (Prifysgol Bangor).
- Carsten Stoehr Scholarship: Supports students at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
- Jean Smith Mathy Arts Council Scholarship: Available at California State University, Northridge.
- Highdale Farms Arthur And Rosmarie Spoerri Scholarship: Offered at the University of Guelph.
- The Valley Foundation Nursing Scholarship: Supports students at San Jose State University (SJSU).
- Minority Women In LAS Scholarship: Available through Friends of Amabel University of Manitoba.
- Graduate Fellowship: Offered at the University of Manitoba (UM), Canada.
- K State Alumni Association International Student Scholarship: Available at Kansas State University.
- "Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship open to residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, age 17 or older.
- Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students seeking financial assistance for their education.
- Christian Connector Scholarship Drawings: Offered for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
- National Black Nurses Association Scholarships: Available to students at all levels (LPN to Doctorate).
- Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships: Scholarships and other monetary support are available to help with costs when you join Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).
Other AIAS Foundation Initiatives
The AIAS Foundation also supports other initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion within the gaming industry. The WomenIn Scholarships, supported by Intel, are a collaborative effort to attract, retain, and advance women in the interactive entertainment industry by supporting their education and professional development. The Girls for Gaming Scholarship honors individuals who help empower and educate girls and young women on the various roles within the gaming industry with the purpose of driving and normalizing gender diversity within gaming.
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