Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley have teamed up to create the Nova Games Foundation, a charitable fellowship designed to give financial backing and mentorship to the next generation of video‑game creators. The initiative, which operates independently of both The Game Awards and Sony’s PlayStation brand, intends to award $100,000 grants to twenty promising designers annually.
About one‑quarter of those recipients will also be considered for a supplemental award of up to $500,000 for projects that demonstrate exceptional promise or ambition. The funding package is paired with direct mentorship from seasoned industry veterans, ensuring that awardees receive not only capital but also guidance on navigating the complex landscape of game development, publishing, and platform selection. Importantly, the fellowship respects the creators’ ownership rights; developers keep full control over their intellectual property and are free to approach any publisher or distribution platform they choose.
Nova will act as a connector, leveraging its network to introduce fellows to potential partners and opportunities. Applications for the inaugural cohort will open in December and will be available to graduates from the class of 2026 and 2027 who have completed one of the thirteen university programs affiliated with the foundation. These programs are spread across eight countries and include institutions such as TH Köln in Germany, RMIT University in Australia, Cnam‑Enjmin in France, Abertay University in Scotland, and the United States partnership between New York University and the University of Southern California. By targeting students from a diverse set of academic environments, Nova hopes to capture a broad spectrum of creative voices and cultural perspectives.
Both Cerny and Keighley are contributing substantial personal capital to seed the foundation. Cerny, renowned as the chief architect behind the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles, and Keighley, the long‑time host of The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest, and Opening Night Live, have each pledged multi‑million‑dollar investments. They have indicated that these contributions are only the beginning, and they plan to continue injecting funds as the program matures and demonstrates impact.
"Nova is philanthropy: we aren't taking equity or looking to recoup the grants," Keighley explained to Game File. "The return we're hoping for is creative – helping new voices make games and find their footing." This philosophy underscores the foundation’s commitment to nurturing artistic expression rather than pursuing commercial gain. The organization’s leadership includes John Maconga as executive director and former Game Developers Conference director Ashley Corrigan as head of grants.
Their combined experience in event production, community building, and grant administration equips Nova with the operational expertise needed to manage a sizable fellowship program. In addition, Josef Fares—director of acclaimed titles such as It Takes Two and Split Fiction—has pledged both a monetary donation and ongoing support for the initiative. "I'm proud to support Nova because it gives the next generation of creators the freedom to explore their creativity and hopefully bring their unique visions to life," Fares said.
His endorsement reflects a growing sentiment within the industry that independent creators need more than just funding; they require an ecosystem that validates and amplifies their artistic ambitions. Cerny articulated a clear artistic mission for the foundation, describing games as "an artistic medium" and citing exemplary works such as Neva, Abzu, Gorogoa, Stray, and Outer Wilds as the type of experiences Nova hopes to enable. These titles are celebrated for their innovative design, emotional resonance, and willingness to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling. By referencing them, Cerny signals that Nova aims to back projects that prioritize originality, craftsmanship, and narrative depth over formulaic, market‑driven productions.
Keighley's own path to the fellowship concept was shaped by personal experiences with prestigious scholarships. He cited his unsuccessful bid for a Rhodes Scholarship, the MacArthur Foundation’s famed "genius grants," and the career of Jenova Chen—USC alumnus and creator of the critically acclaimed games Flower and Journey—as key inspirations.
These examples illustrate a belief that extraordinary talent often flourishes when given the freedom to experiment without the pressure of immediate commercial returns. The Nova Games Foundation therefore represents a multifaceted effort to reshape the pipeline for emerging developers.
By coupling sizable, unrestricted grants with mentorship, industry connections, and a steadfast respect for creators' ownership, the program seeks to lower the barriers that traditionally hinder independent innovation. As the first application window approaches, students and recent graduates from the partner universities can anticipate a new avenue for turning ambitious concepts into fully realized games, potentially enriching the medium with fresh perspectives and daring artistic visions. In the broader context of the gaming industry, Nova’s model may inspire similar philanthropic ventures, encouraging other high‑profile figures to invest directly in talent development rather than relying solely on traditional publishing contracts or venture capital. If successful, the foundation could produce a wave of groundbreaking titles that not only entertain but also expand the cultural and artistic relevance of video games worldwide.