Two of Gaming’s Biggest Names Are Making a Big Investment in Gaming’s Future

The Nova Games Foundation, a newly established philanthropic initiative, aims to support the next generation of game designers through a university-affiliated fellowship program. Founded by industry figures Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley, the organization is designed as a standalone, non-commercial project intended to foster artistic, literary, and societal value in video games. By providing financial resources and mentorship, the founders seek to help emerging creators navigate the transition from academic environments to professional development without the immediate pressure of commercial viability.

The program will award $100,000 grants to 20 fellows annually, with approximately 25% of recipients eligible for an additional $500,000 in project-based funding. These grants are provided without equity requirements, allowing developers to retain ownership of their intellectual property. The initiative is open to graduates from 13 affiliated universities across eight countries, including institutions in the United States, Scotland, France, Germany, and Australia. Applications for the inaugural cohort open in December 2026, with the first fellows to be announced in March 2027.

The foundation is supported by multi-million-dollar personal contributions from Cerny and Keighley, who intend to build a lasting endowment through industry-wide participation. The program emphasizes a "no-strings-attached" approach, offering mentorship from established industry leaders to assist fellows in honing their craft and leadership skills. By facilitating connections between young talent and the broader industry, the founders hope to establish a sustainable model for nurturing creative visionaries, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the program persists for decades to come.