Funding and programs
Grants, funds, accelerators, publishers taking pitches and platform programs for game developers. Each one says who can apply, the deadline, and when we last checked it. Programs change, so always confirm on their site before you apply.
Investment fund
Worldwide
Open all year; replies can take a while
What you get: Funding for indie games from the makers of Among Us, usually $50,000 to $2 million, paid back from sales (recoup and rev-share). They take no ownership of your game, IP or company.
Who can apply: Indie developers making an original premium game for PC, console or mobile that isn't released yet (Early Access games don't qualify). No blockchain or AI-generated games.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Grant
United Kingdom
Expressions of interest are paused and reopening soon
What you get: Grants of up to £100,000 (no equity) toward UK staff and contractor costs to build a prototype.
Who can apply: UK companies with 1 to 49 employees, registered at least 10 weeks, with early concept work done and a team with professional game development experience.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Publisher
Worldwide
Pitches accepted all year through their form
What you get: Publishing: funding, marketing and release support for indie games, in exchange for a share of revenue.
Who can apply: Indie teams with a playable build, a pitch deck (core loop, scope, vision), a launch window, a budget estimate and a trailer or gameplay video.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Showcase
Worldwide
Next fest: Feb 22 to Mar 1, 2027 (October 2026's runs Oct 19 to 26)
What you get: A week-long Steam festival of free demos for upcoming games, and one of the best ways to gather wishlists.
Who can apply: Developers with an upcoming game on Steam and a demo. Each game can take part once. Sign up in Steamworks before the registration deadline.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Platform program
Worldwide
Open all year
What you get: Sell on Steam for a $100 fee per game, paid back once the game earns $1,000. Valve keeps 30%, 25% past $10 million and 20% past $50 million in lifetime sales.
Who can apply: Anyone who completes Steamworks sign-up, identity and tax checks.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Platform program
Worldwide
Open all year
What you get: Keep 100% of the first $1 million in net revenue per product each year, then 88%. In effect since June 1, 2025.
Who can apply: Developers who self-publish PC games on the Epic Games Store.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Platform program
Worldwide
Open all year
What you get: Cash out Robux your experiences earn at $0.0038 per earned Robux (up 8.5% from September 5, 2025).
Who can apply: Roblox creators who meet the DevEx age, account and minimum-balance rules.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Platform program
Worldwide
Open all year
What you get: Engagement payouts for islands people play, plus in-island item sales: 100% of the V-Bucks value (about 74% of what players spend) through Jan 31, 2027, then 50% (about 37%).
Who can apply: Creators who publish islands with UEFN or Fortnite Creative through the Fortnite developer program.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Platform program
Worldwide
Open all year
What you get: Xbox's program for independent developers to self-publish on Xbox consoles and PC, with development kits for approved teams.
Who can apply: Independent developers and studios; apply with your game.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Crowdfunding
Worldwide
Open all year
What you get: Crowdfunding: backers pledge toward your goal, and you're paid only if the campaign reaches it. Kickstarter takes a fee from successful campaigns.
Who can apply: Creators in Kickstarter's supported countries with a project that follows its rules (a game you're making, with rewards for backers).
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Grant
Europe
Last round closed Feb 11, 2026 · One call a year
What you get: Up to €200,000 per project (a lump sum covering 60% of the budget) to develop a video game or immersive experience.
Who can apply: European game, XR or audiovisual production companies in MEDIA countries that have commercially released a game or immersive project since January 2023. Publishers can't apply.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Grant
Worldwide
Last round closed Feb 20, 2026 · Yearly
What you get: $600,000 shared among projects that use real-time 3D for social good.
Who can apply: Creators and studios making Unity projects that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Investment fund
Sub-Saharan Africa
Last round closed Jul 31, 2026
What you get: Investments of $50,000 to $200,000 for 10 studios from a $1 million fund, with mentoring and technical support.
Who can apply: Indie studios based in Sub-Saharan Africa that have already launched a game on Google Play, another mobile store, PC or console.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Grant
Worldwide
Last round closed Sep 4, 2026 · Two windows a year; 2026's ran Jan 12 to Mar 20 and Jun 29 to Sep 4
What you get: Cash grants for promising projects built with Unreal Engine 5 or Fortnite's UEFN, and for open source tools. Epic doesn't take a stake in your game.
Who can apply: Small and solo teams making games in Unreal Engine, UEFN creators, teams moving to Unreal, and open source projects. Open worldwide.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026
