Game Awards Host Geoff Keighley And PlayStation Architect Mark Cerny Launch $2M Fund
The Nova Games Foundation will provide grants to 20 students each year, with awards ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to support new voices in the game industry
Geoff Keighley, host of The Game Awards, and Mark Cerny, architect of the PlayStation 5, are launching the Nova Games Foundation, a philanthropic initiative that will provide grants to young game designers. The foundation aims to award $2 million annually to support new voices in the game industry.
The Nova Games Foundation will provide grants to 20 students each year, with awards starting at $100,000 and potentially reaching up to $500,000 for projects that meet development milestone requirements. The foundation is partnering with 13 university programs worldwide, including New York University and the University of Southern California, to support the next generation of game developers.
Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley have each made multi-million-dollar donations to establish the foundation, which will prioritize projects with artistic, literary, and societal value. The foundation will also provide mentorship to fellowship recipients, with the goal of helping new voices make games and find their footing in the industry.
The first recipients of the grants will be from the classes of 2026 and 2027, with applications beginning in December of this year. Hazelight founder Josef Fares will also participate in the program via donation and mentorship.
## Why it matters The Nova Games Foundation is modeled after programs like Rhodes Scholarships and the MacArthur Foundation’s “genius grants,” and aims to run for decades, providing a significant boost to the game industry by supporting new and innovative voices. By providing grants and mentorship, the foundation hopes to help young game designers bring their games to market and make a meaningful impact on the industry.
The foundation's focus on artistic, literary, and societal value also highlights the importance of games as a medium for creative expression and storytelling. With the game industry continuing to grow and evolve, the Nova Games Foundation's support for new voices and innovative projects will be crucial in shaping the future of the industry.
