“CTN Foundation Drops Its Biggest Animation Scholarship Lineup Ever – Are You Ready?”
The Creative Talent Network (CTN) and its philanthropic arm, the CTN Foundation (CTNF), have raised the bar in their mission to nurture the next generation of animation and visual storytelling talent. Announcing their largest-ever lineup of scholarships for 2025, CTN continues to champion its motto: “No Artist Left Behind.”
A Record-Breaking 15 Scholarship Opportunities
For 2025, CTN is offering 15 scholarships, a mix of discipline-specific awards and global exchange programs designed to mentor and uplift young creatives. This year’s selection is a mix of 11 scholarships dedicated to specific animation disciplines—each named after industry legends—and four newly introduced International Creative Exchange Program (ICEP) opportunities. These scholarships aim to support and preserve, protect, and perpetuate the art of animation and visual storytelling.
Spotlight on the 2025 Scholarships
Each of the following scholarships honors a trailblazer in the animation industry and supports artists in specific disciplines:
- Aaron Blaise – Filmmaking: Aimed at filmmakers crafting compelling stories through animation.
- Christopher W. Gee – Technology: Honoring digital innovation and visual storytelling tech.
- Fabrizio Mancinelli – Music: Encouraging aspiring composers in film scoring.
- Kent Melton – Sculpting: Supporting sculptors in character maquette design.
- Mary Blair – Women Designers: Empowering female designers in animation and illustration.
- Mel Milton – Illustration: Guiding illustrators in dynamic character design.
- Mike Kunkel – Cartooning: Fostering talent in cartoon and comic storytelling.
- Sam Koji Hale – Puppetry & Stop Motion: Dedicated to the art of puppetry and stop-motion filmmaking.
- Stephan Franck – Comics & Graphic Novels: Encouraging graphic novelists and comic artists.
- Torsten Schrank – Character Design: Recognizing innovation in character design.
Additionally, the Andreas Deja Character Animation Scholarship, which launched in 2023, enters its third year, continuing its mission to support emerging character animators.
Expanding Horizons with ICEP Scholarships
The CTN Foundation is also expanding its global footprint through the International Creative Exchange Program (ICEP), which offers students a chance to study and collaborate with international animation institutions.
Following a successful inaugural ICEP South Korea exchange in 2024, which saw six CTN members travel to Seoul to learn under Master Animator Mike Nguyen, three new exchange programs are being added:
- ICEP Hungary Scholarship with Ion Art Studios: Hands-on experience in animation and VFX in Budapest.
- ICEP Italy Scholarship with The Nemo Academy of Digital Arts: Study in Florence in fields such as 2D/3D animation, entertainment design, and illustration.
- ICEP Burbank Scholarship: A local mentorship program in the “Animation Capital of the World.”
A Community Committed to the Future
Tina Price, founder of CTN, expressed her excitement about the growing scholarship program:
“I’m incredibly grateful to the patrons, artists, and industry leaders who are making these scholarships possible. These programs ensure that no artist is left behind and that talent continues to thrive, regardless of background.”
How to Apply
Submissions for all CTN scholarships, including the second ICEP South Korea/CK Animation School Scholarship, are now open. The deadline for applications is March 16, 2025. Interested artists can find more information and apply here.
With its most ambitious scholarship lineup yet, the CTN Foundation is ensuring that the next generation of animation talent has the resources, mentorship, and global exposure needed to thrive.
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