A new philanthropic effort, Nova Games Foundation, was announced by Geoff Keighley and Mark Cerny to fund and mentor aspiring game designers.

Nova partners with 13 institutions worldwide, including NYU and USC, with first grant recipients coming from the 2026 and 2027 graduating classes who can apply starting in December.

Recipients will receive $100,000, and about a quarter may be eligible for an additional $500,000 for promising projects if development milestones are met.

The story emphasizes Nova’s formation, objectives, and initial participants, with brief author bio and site promotion included.

Keighley frames the motivation as personal, aiming to support future generations in an industry that has defined his life.

Nova grew from the friendship and ongoing conversations between Cerny and Keighley about backing aspiring game directors amid industry challenges.

The initiative signals the creators’ intention to nurture new voices and sustain long-term growth in game development.

Nova seeks to build a pipeline for experimental, auteur-driven projects that struggle to secure traditional funding.

Nova aims to become a lasting endowment with broad industry ownership and a community of creators contributing time and expertise.

Mentorship is central, with support for creators whose work has artistic, literary, and societal value and who can lead small development teams.

The backstory highlights the Keighley-Cerny friendship and positions the foundation as a response to ongoing funding barriers for creators.

Funding targets projects with artistic, literary, and societal value, helping graduates move from school to professional development while enabling independent creative direction.