Take This and Riot are excited to announce that applications for the pilot season of the Accelerate Program are now open!
The application window is from June 3, 2024 – July 5, 2024.
Application Support
The Accelerate team has created several resources to make the application process as straightforward and transparent as possible. We’ve shared the basic eligibility criteria as well as a checklist of information to review and materials to prepare prior to starting the application process. There’s also a helpful FAQ at the end.
Eligibility Criteria
- 21 years of age by September 15, 2024
- You identify as an ally or member of a marginalized group
- You can commit to meeting twice a week for seminars over a six month time period
- You can commit to meeting once a month with a mentor
Application Checklist
Prior to beginning the application, it is recommended that applicants:
- Read the ideal candidate qualities overview
- Review the application questions
- Be familiar with the program’s mentorship and learning expectations
- Review information about the capstone project requirements
- Read about the program’s live event attendance opportunity
- Have a work sample prepared
- Have an up-to-date CV or resume
FAQ
When do applications open?
Applications for fellows are open June 3rd, 2024 through July 5th, 2024.
When does the program start?
The Accelerate Program season is roughly six months long and will run from September 2024 to April 2025. There is a multi-week break scheduled mid-season to accommodate the December holidays.
What are the benefits of being an Accelerate fellow?
Accelerate fellows receive a wide variety of benefits while in the program. In addition to one-on-one mentoring and educational and professional support from the Accelerate team, fellows will receive a $250 (U.S.) honorarium, up to $100 in equipment peripherals, a budget for traveling to an in-person industry event, and the chance for a portion of the $5,000 capstone project prize pool.
Who is running the program?
Accelerate was developed by team members at Take This and is funded by Riot Games. Kelli Dunlap, PsyD, MA is the Accelerate Program Director and Sarah Hays, PsyD, LMHC is the Accelerate Program Manager.
Kelli has a doctorate in clinical psychology, a masters in game design, and over a decade of experience in games community management. She’s an internationally recognized expert on the intersection of game design and mental health. Professional highlights incldue GDC Top 50 Speaker, collaborations with the National Institute of Mental Health and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and subject matter expert to US congressional staffers.
Sarah has a doctorate in counseling psychology and specializes in working with geeks, gamers, neurodivergent folks, and queer folks. She is an award-winning consultant for mental health accessibility in games as well as an internationally accomplished editor, author, speaker, and mentor. Sarah has extensive experience in developing and executing gaming-related mentorship curricula and managing programs that produce successful and accomplished graduates.
Do I have to live in the U.S. to participate?
No. Anyone 21 years of age or older is welcome to apply to be an Accelerate fellow. The program is run virtually – all workshops, seminars, and speakers (as permitted) will be streamed on the Accelerate Discord server as well as recorded and shared with all members of the Accelerate Program. However, please note that as this is a pilot program we are somewhat limited in terms of supporting multiple timezones. All live programming will be scheduled in alignment with the US Eastern time zone.
What does the application process look like?
The application will be via Google Form (a PDF copy will be made available, if requested). The first section will collect general demographic information about each applicant. Section two will ask questions about your interests, hobbies, and generally help us get to know you as a person. The third section asks questions about the program, specifically what you’re hoping to gain from the program as well as your career goals. In the last section, we’ll ask you to upload a work sample, your resume and/or CV, and any other documents you may want to share with us.
Will this get me a job with Riot Games?
No. The Accelerate Program is generously funded by Riot, however your interactions will be with Accelerate leadership (Dr. Dunlap and Dr. Hays), your peers, and your assigned mentor.
The original press release announcing the launch of the Accelerate Program can be viewed here.