Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley have launched a funding program for student game designers
Two stars of the gaming industry have established a structure designed to help budding specialists in the field of game design get on their feet. It is called the Nova Games Foundation.
This philanthropic non-profit organization will implement a program in collaboration with educational institutions worldwide, focusing on funding and professional development for students studying game design.
Annually, it will work as follows:
▫️20 young game designers with the most compelling applications will be selected;
▫️Each of them will receive $100,000 to implement their own project (not all at once; funds will be disbursed in separate payments according to development milestones);
▫️The amount can increase to $500,000 if a project proves to be particularly successful;
▫️Rights to the game will remain with the developer after its completion;
▫️Nova Games Foundation will provide free assistance with promotion and, upon request, help with contacts to publishers.
According to Keighley, the stated goal of the program is to help new voices create games and find their footing.
Nova Games Foundation is already collaborating with 13 educational institutions from 8 countries worldwide, whose 2026 and 2027 graduates can apply for the grant.
▫️Mark Cerny — lead architect of PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as a game designer for Ratchet & Clank, God of War III, Knack, and many other games.
▫️Geoff Keighley — media manager, host, and producer of some of the largest gaming shows, including The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest.
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