ESA is the essential and inclusive community for all professionals working in sponsorship. In 2022 we created the ESA Diploma Scholarship to help grow the diversity of the sponsorship industry by offering at least one applicant based in Europe a place on the course each year.
We believe that together we can create an industry-wide movement that promotes an inclusive approach to dialogue and thought leadership, welcoming diverse perspectives and allowing each of us to be ourselves, while shaping the future of international sponsorship.
The ESA Diploma is the only official post-graduate qualification in sponsorship. Until 2022, all participants were fee paying. We now offer a full scholarship to at least one Europe-based applicant each year.
Deji Faremi
2024 ESA Diploma scholar
“I’m thrilled to have been selected for this incredible opportunity, diving into a subject that holds a special place in my heart. With nearly a decade in both sports and marketing, this feels like the perfect chance to put all those experiences together and lay the foundation for my future career.
“Throughout this journey, I look forward to not only learning and making new friends but also connecting with leaders in the sponsorship industry. Most importantly, I want to use this platform to support aspiring professionals in this field, showing them that reaching the pinnacle is within their grasp.
“My aspiration is for this scholarship to not just boost my own career but to pave the way for others with stories similar to mine. Here’s to the exciting road ahead!”
Read more: Meet Deji, 2024 ESA Diploma Scholar
Sinem Pozanti
2024 ESA Diploma scholar
“I am truly honoured and excited that I’ve been granted the ESA Diploma Scholarship! The ESA Diploma offers a unique platform for blending my finance background with new perspectives, enabling me to transfer my skills, transitioning from dealing with eight- to nine-digit figures in loan agreements to handling sponsorship agreements. This marks a significant step in redefining my career after relocating to a new country following a maternity break, propelling me towards new beginnings.
“My mission is to utilise this opportunity not just for personal growth but to inspire and empower women in the workforce who, for various reasons, had to temporarily pause their bright careers.
“I applied for this scholarship with the belief that education is a catalyst for a positive change, I am thrilled to be part of a community that values and fosters continuous learning. I feel like I’m out of my comfort zone and it’s exciting to be able to add new skillsets.
“I am committed to contributing to the narrative that encourages women to reignite their professional journeys to celebrate resilience, determination, and the limitless potential for career growth.”
Read more: Meet Sinem, 2024 ESA Diploma Scholar
Ashley Arthingal
2023 ESA Diploma scholar
“Applying for the ESA Diploma Scholarship was the perfect call for me and the whole experience has given me such a boost. I would recommend the Diploma to anyone but the honour of being a Scholarship recipient made me even more motivated, not only to study the course but to navigate the transition into sponsorship as an industry.
“Accessibility and diversity are vital in any industry – not only in terms of ethnicity and mixed cultural backgrounds but also people coming together from different fields of work. The industry benefits from having people with different perspectives.
“Before starting the course, I had no theoretical knowledge about sponsorship – only the practical application of speaking to brand partners and potential partners in my role as Project Coordinator of the World Ice Skating Day, a global initiative by the International Skating Union (ISU) to develop and grow ice skating across the world. It was great to learn right from the basics and discover how to form objectives and strategies, before going on to look at activation and evaluation. Now I find that I’m talking to sponsors in a very different tone and with a set strategy.
“I’ve never encountered such an interesting course and one that’s written in a way that is easy to understand. It can be hard to juggle the course work when you are working full-time, but it’s definitely manageable if you stick to the recommended timings for each module. It was nice to be broken into study groups and I travelled to London to meet up with my group. we still have an active WhatsApp chat and it’s great to have made friends and connections through the course.”
Read more: Meet the 2023 ESA Diploma Scholar
Nobandile Mutseyekwa
2022 ESA Diploma scholar
Nobandile has already stepped up a rung on her career ladder by joining MSL UK as Junior Account Executive while studying for the 2022 ESA Diploma.
“I’ve really enjoyed the course so far. As a newcomer to the industry, the biggest thing I’ve gained – apart from knowledge – is the confidence boost it gives you.
“Having access to expert seminars and resources is really insightful and helpful, and it feels as if the Diploma is like a door into the sponsorship industry. The support of the ESA team has been great too.
“As a recent graduate looking for job opportunities, I wouldn’t have been able to do the course without the Scholarship, so it has removed a lot of that stress. I’m proud to be the first recipient and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone starting out in the industry.”
The deadline for 2025 applications has now closed – thank you to all those who have applied, we will be in touch in the new year.