Consensus 2015 is working with MIT Media Lab's Digital Currency Initiative to boost diversity in the cryptocurrency space by offering 50 Consensus Scholarships to young women and people of colour.

A recent CoinDesk study of bitcoin users highlighted the lack of diversity in the digital currency space, with fewer than one in 10 bitcoin owners (8.2%) stating they were female, and over 72% describing their ethnicity as “white”.

The Media Lab's DCI will work with local groups like Girls Who Code, the Microsoft-sponsored TEALS programme, CODE2040 and the National Center for Women and Information Technology to encourage applications for the scholarships.

Consensus Scholars will attend the digital currency summit on 10th September in New York City and a mentorship session with leaders in the industry. Mentors will be drawn from the high-level technologists, financial executives, public-sector officials, global aid workers and entrepreneurs speaking at the event.

“Our hope is to expose more young people, from a diverse set of backgrounds to the powerful potential of digital currency. The Consensus Scholarships will allow young people to ask questions, gain unique insights and meet with leaders in the digital currency movement,” said Brian Forde, director of the Media Lab’s DCI.

Here's the full press release announcing the Consensus Scholarships.