Girls Make Games scholarship fund announces 2024 cohort, supporting women and non-binary students in gaming

The Girls Make Games Scholarship Fund (GMGSF) has announced the second cohort of recipients for its four-year college scholarship programme. 

Established in 2022, the fund supports women and non-binary students pursuing careers in the gaming industry by providing financial support and professional development opportunities.

Financial support and industry access

Each scholarship recipient will receive a $10,000 grant over four years, with $2,500 distributed annually. The programme is sponsored by Humble Bundle, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Take-Two Interactive. 

The scholarships are named after the sponsors, with Kathleen Castellanos representing Humble Bundle, Samantha Cruz representing Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Ariana Walcott representing Take-Two Interactive.

Alongside the financial grant, recipients will benefit from industry mentorship, internship placement support, career readiness assistance, and job placement services, helping them build a foundation for future success in the gaming industry.

Girls Make Games was founded to address the gender gap in the gaming industry and to provide educational and professional opportunities for young women. The scholarship programme, launched last year, aims to give underrepresented students access to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education and career pathways.

Laila Shabir, founder of Girls Make Games, explained the importance of the programme:

“Girls Make Games was founded with a mission to support young women in their educational and professional journeys. Today, as we celebrate the International Day of the Girl, I couldn’t be more proud of announcing our second cohort of College Scholarship recipients and helping them take a step closer to realising their goals and ambitions.

“In an environment where offering support for young women is becoming increasingly difficult, I’m grateful to our three partners for their continued support and commitment to building a diverse and inclusive gaming industry for the next generation.”

Sponsor contributions

The scholarship fund is supported by major industry players, each of whom recognises the importance of fostering diversity in the gaming world.

“At Humble, we believe in the transformative power of games and the importance of nurturing diverse voices in the industry,” said Kamini Tiwari, Vice President of Social Impact at Humble Bundle. “Supporting the Girls Make Games Scholarship Fund is not just about funding; it’s about empowering young women to dream big and realise their potential.”

Sony Interactive Entertainment also expressed its commitment to improving diversity in gaming. Jennifer Clark, SVP Communications at Sony Interactive Entertainment, highlighted the need for a more equitable pipeline of talent: 

“We are excited to continue our support for the Girls Make Games Scholarship Fund to help ensure underrepresented talent have the help they need and look forward to seeing the impact for this year’s recipients as they embark on their new educational journey.”

Alan Lewis, VP of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Take-Two Interactive, reiterated the importance of empowering young women in the gaming industry. 

“Take-Two Interactive is a proud, longtime supporter of Girls Make Games and its mission to empower, inspire, and enable young women to learn game design skills and to pursue their passion.”