The AIAS Foundation is Seeking Applications for Three $2.5k Scholarships

The AIAS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), has opened submissions for all three of its annual scholarship programs benefiting students pursuing a dream career in the video games industry.  The Randy Pausch, Mark Beaumont and WomenIn Scholarships are provided to talented students in game design, production or business who aspire to make a mark on the games industry through their dedication, passion and interest in pushing forward the medium of interactive entertainment.

These scholarships support aspiring game makers in undergraduate or graduate level programs who are planning on pursuing a career in development or leadership.  Included in their scholarship is a chance to participate in a yearlong mentorship program that will span touch points at the D.I.C.E. Summit, GDC and E3:

• The Randy Pausch Scholarship, which awards $2,500 scholarships, was established in 2008 to honor the memory of Computer Science Professor and Co-Founder of the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Randy Pausch. The Pausch Scholarships support students pursuing careers in the development of interactive entertainment, including art, animation, programming, engineering, game design, sound design, and music composition.
• The Mark Beaumont Scholarship, which awards $2,500 scholarships, was established in 2010 to honor the memory of the previous COO of Capcom North America and Europe, Mark Beaumont. The Beaumont Scholarships support students pursuing careers specializing in the business of interactive entertainment, including management, law, marketing, public relations, and business development.
• The WomenIn Scholarship, which awards $2,500 scholarships, seeks to support inclusion of more women in the interactive entertainment industry.  This scholarship supports women-identifying students pursuing game development or the business of interactive entertainment.  

Our programs are unique because we emphasize the ‘Scholar’ in Scholarships,” said Don Daglow, President of the AIAS Foundation. “We’re building a community of top-tier Mentors and highly-accomplished students and early-career professionals to spark future diversity, innovation and growth in the games industry. Regardless of a student’s craft or specialty, an AIAS Scholarship is not just the financial support they receive today. It opens the door to a network that holds the potential to enrich their careers over many years to come, including service as a Mentor themselves once they enter the industry.

Don Daglow, President of the AIAS Foundation

The Academy scholarships from the previous academic year honored students from a range of disciplines, including future designers, artists and programmers. Seventeen promising students hailing from esteemed programs at schools such as New York University, Carnegie Melon University, University of Southern California and Additional information on last year’s winners can be found here.

To qualify, applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.3, and be a full-time student and attend an accredited college or university in the United States during the 2017-2018 academic school year. 

For more information about the scholarships, qualifications and application forms, please visit this page. The deadline to apply is April 28, 2017.