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Rising Star Scholarship

Students from around the world are invited to apply for GALA's Rising Star Scholarship. One winner will  receive registration plus travel to attend the WorldReady Conference Berlin on 12-14 April 2026.

Why Apply?

  • Explore different pathways and responsibilities in localization and multilingual communications
  • Expand upon classroom learning
  • Connect with industry leaders and build your professional network
  • Receive global recognition of your winning application
  • A chance to visit Berlin, Germany!

How to Apply

With the rapid advancement of free AI tools for translation and/or interpretation, opportunities for global communication are more accessible. These technologies offer the bridge to what is often a barrier to communicate in various sectors like education, healthcare, and business. However, their use also raises questions about accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and over-reliance on automated systems.

Your task:

  1. Write an original essay discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of using free AI tools for translation and/or interpretation.
  2. Create a storytelling video to accompany the essay that shares a personal success and failure using free AI technology.

    SUBMIT YOUR RISING STAR APPLICATION

    Applications due 11 November by 5:00 pm PDT.

    Application Requirements

    To apply, you will need:

    • A GALA user account
      • You do not need to be a GALA member to apply
    • Essay exploring the question
      • 400-750 words excluding references
      • Include a reference section with citations or hyperlinks to sources
      • Written in English
      • Do not use personally identifying information
    • Video
      • 1-2 minutes in length
      • Adds to (does not repeat) the essay content
      • In English at a normal speech speed
      • No identifying information
    • A curriculum vitae (CV)
    •  Proof of current enrollment or graduation in 2025. Acceptable forms: an unofficial transcript, a signed note from university staff on official letterhead, or a photo of your diploma/certificate.

    Guidelines and Reminders

    • Do not use any personally identifying information in the essay, video, or file names (examples: your name, university, image, employers). 
    • Do not use AI to write the essay or video content. The application form will ask for the names of any AI tools used to create your essay and video.

    Applications that do not follow these guidelines and requirements and those stated on the application form may be automatically disqualified.

    By entering the scholarship contest you agree to all rules, regulations, certifications, copyrights, and disclaimers in the complete official rules. If you have any questions regarding the scholarship or your eligibility, contact us at events@gala-global.org.

    Scholarship Package

    One winner will receive a scholarship package to attend GALA's WorldReady Conference Berlin in Germany, 12-14 April 2026. The scholarship includes:

    • A full WorldReady Conference registration
    • A ticket to GALA's WorldReady Conference dinner
    • Hotel costs for one individual for 3 nights in the event hotel
      • Titanic Chaussee Berlin Chausseestraße 30 10115 Berlin, Germany
      • Check-in on Sunday 12 April 2026 and check-out Wednesday 15 April 2026
    • Reimbursement of travel expenses to attend the conference
    • The winning entry published by GALA
    Eligibility

    The Rising Star Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in or that graduated in 2025 from translation, localization,  interpreting, or related programs at the university level. Proof of enrollment is requested on the application form.  Examples:

    • Unofficial transcript
    • Signed note from university staff on official letterhead
    • Picture of your diploma/certificate

    You do not need to be a GALA member, but you will need to create a free user account to apply for the scholarship.

    Former winners are not eligible.

    Entries must adhere to the requirements for this year's application criteria. This includes not including personally identifying information in the essay or video. 

    All eligible submissions are reviewed by a GALA team member and the Rising Star Scholarship Committee. GALA reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason at its sole discretion. 

    Rules Summary

    Limit one entry per person; duplicate or multiple entries will not be considered. Team submissions will not be considered. 

    Content must be original. By entering the contest, you certify that the content you are submitting has no conflicting claims of copyright and that nothing related to your entry violates or infringes upon another person’s copyright.

    By entering the contest, you agree that GALA may use your content in publications, promotional materials, presentations, and websites.

    Application Review

    The Rising Star Scholarship Committee reviews the anonymous submissions and will select the winning entry based on the thesis, originality, and strength of argument. Entries are not judged on English language skills. 

    The winner will be notified by the end of January. The winner must confirm via email that they accept within one week of being notified. If you are unable to attend the WorldReady Conference or we do not receive your confirmation, a new winner will be selected.

    Read the complete official rules.
    2025 Rising Stars
    • Isslam Belgacem, MA in Multilingual Web Communication (CAWEB) at the University of Strasbourg
    • Yeoshua Bello Rivera, BA Translation and Interpreting (Spanish) at the Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR)

    Scholarship Commitee: Alexandra Santamaría Urbieta (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)), Edith Bendermacher (NetApp), George Zhao (Boffin Language Group Inc.), Mohamed Mousa (Contentech Localization Solutions), Oleksandr Bondarenko (Translatel), Paul Barlow (Blackbird.io), managed by Alicia Deadrick (GALA).

    2024 Rising Stars
    • Simone Visentin, Masters student in Technical Communication and Localization at the University of Strasbourg
    • Alexandra Santamaría Urbieta, Senior Lecturer at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)

    Scholarship Committee: Alexandra Proca (NetApp), Aki Hayashi (Dell Technologies), Gwenola Trystram (Dell Technologies), Johan Botha (Folio Online), Laura Ramírez Polo (Rutgers University), and Oleksandr Bondarenko (Translatel), managed by Alicia Deadrick (GALA).

    2023 Rising Stars
    • Peixi Ren, student at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (United States)
    • Soren Eberhardt, instructor at the University of Washington (United States)
      Scholarship Sponsor: Welocalize 

    Scholarship Committee: Oleksandr Bondarenko (Translatel), Gwenola Trystam (Dell Technologies), Johan Botha (Folio Online), George Zhao (VideoLocalize.com), and Carme Tronchoni (Welocalize), managed by Alicia Deadrick (GALA).

    2022 Rising Stars
    • Kemel Karim Cobresle, student at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Lenguas (Argentina)
    • Claudia Wiesinger, faculty member at the University of Vienna (Austria)
      Scholarship Sponsor: BeatBabel

    Scholarship Committee: Oleksandr Bondarenko (Translatel), María del Mar Sánchez Ramos (Universidad de Alcalá), Vicenta Ten Soriano (RWS), Burckhardt Rueffer (BeatBabel), Patrick Nunes (Rotary International), managed by Alicia Deadrick (GALA).

    About the Rising Star Scholarship

    GALA's Rising Star Scholarship supports an individual each year with registration and travel funding to attend the annual WorldReady Conference. The winning entry is also published by GALA. 

    The scholarship is open to students in translation, localization, interpreting, and related programs such as computational linguistics and international business (for example). It is managed by GALA's program manager and the Rising Star Scholarship Committee, a group of volunteer members who are industry professionals. 

    The committee develops the theme, reviews the submissions anonymously, and selects the winner(s). Member organizations are able to sponsor the scholarship.

    Please contact us at events@gala-global.org with any questions.