Since November 2026, Cologne Game Lab (CGL) at TH Köln has been a partner of the Nova Games Foundation, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting emerging talent in game creation. As one of only 13 universities selected worldwide for the foundation’s launch year, TH Köln is part of an international network of university game programs whose graduating students and recent graduates are eligible to apply for the 2027 NOVA Fellows Program.
Supporting the Next Generation of Game Creators
Nova Games Foundation supports exceptional students and recent graduates of game programs at affiliated universities around the world through philanthropic grant funding, industry mentorship, and creator visibility. Its mission is to help visionary creators bring their original game ideas to life.
NOVA believes that games can be artistic, cultural, and deeply human. Rather than focusing exclusively on commercial potential or established industry conventions, the foundation is interested in what creators want to express through games. The NOVA Fellows Program seeks individuals with a distinct creative vision who approach game creation as a medium of artistic expression.
Selected fellows receive resources and support to develop an original idea into a playable prototype and beyond. The program offers a valuable opportunity for emerging creators to explore their artistic ambitions while benefiting from financial support, professional guidance, and increased visibility for their work.
Applications for the 2027 NOVA Fellows Program Open December 7
The application window for the 2027 NOVA Fellows Program runs from December 7, 2026, to January 10, 2027. Graduating students and recent graduates from all degree programs at the Cologne Game Lab (with graduation between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2027) are eligible to apply and are encouraged to explore this opportunity and begin preparing their applications.
Interested creators should review the application requirements and eligibility criteria in advance to ensure they are ready to submit all required materials during the application period.
Find out more about the NOVA Fellows Program, eligibility, and the application process: