Sony Online Entertainment's Games in Real Life (G.I.R.L.) program is now accepting applications for its 2013 game design and scholarship competition.
The initiative, which launched in 2008, aims to encourage more women across North America to enter the games industry. The G.I.R.L. program supports both men and women over 18 years of age in the U.S. who are currently studying in an undergraduate program relating to video games. Successful applicants receive a $10,000 scholarship toward their college tuition as well as a 10-week paid internship at SOE's headquarters in San Diego for hands-on experience working on one or more of the developer's games.
Past scholarship recipients have gone on to attain careers in game development and art design.
"At SOE, we believe that diversity is one of our keys to success and it is truly woven into the fabric of who we are as a company," said Laura Naviaux , Senior Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing at SOE. "We want to help make the games industry even that much more approachable and our goal with the G.I.R.L. Scholarship is to provide an easy way to usher even more women into the industry."
Those interested in applying can read the application guidelines here.
Update: The G.I.R.L. program is also open to male applicants.