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Applications Now Open for the Accelerate Program!

By  Take This · June 3rd, 2024 · Video Games
Accelerate logo and text with multicolor gradient

Take This and Riot are excited to announce that applications for the pilot season of the Accelerate Program are now open!

Apply now!
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
Download Application Checklist Packet

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.

Image contains the Accelerate logo which is a shield with a sword down the center. The logo is periwinkle and is aligned with header text accelerate program leadership. Below, text reads Kelli Dunlap Psy D accelerate program director. 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. Beside the text is a picture of Kelli - a femme-presenting woman with natural red hair in gentle waves down her shoulders. She is smiling and has one arm behind her head. The image is of her from the waist up and she is wearing a black and white striped shirt under a black jacket. The background is a solid royal blue. In the bottom corner are two decorative awards declaring Kelli to be a nominee for outstanding teaching from the american university game center and an xbox most valuable professional by microsoft.

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.

Image contains the Accelerate logo which is a shield with a sword down the center. The logo is periwinkle and is aligned with header text accelerate program leadership. Below, text reads Sarah Hays Psy D accelerate program manager. 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. Beside the text is a picture of Sarah - a femme-presenting woman with blue and purple hair in gentle waves down her shoulder. She is sitting in a high-backed chair and the background is neutral but dark. The image is of her from the chest up. In the bottom corner are two decorative awards declaring Sarah to be an award winner for The Game Hers aspirational allies award and the most inclusive organization award.

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.  

accelerate program application timeline. june 3 applications open; july 5 applications close; august 9 round 1 notifications go out; august 12 - 22 round 2 interviews; august 23 final fellows selected; september 1 onboarding; september 13 fellow mentor match; september 16 program begins
Download Application Checklist Packet

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.

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We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit mental health organization providing comprehensive resources and support that is tailored for the unique needs of the game development community and embraces the diverse cultures and issues of the game community. We combine clinical best practice with a love of all things gamer, providing a safe, accepting space for gamers and developers. We work in a spirit of partnership with other organizations addressing these issues among game enthusiasts, streamers, and creators.

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