The U.S. National Science Foundation Game Maker Awards is an exciting opportunity for students in grades K-12 to showcase their creativity, technical skills and passion for game design.
Now inviting entries
Entries for the NSF Game Maker Awards are due by Jan. 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST. Register your team today to get started.
Get startedAbout the challenge
The NSF Game Maker Awards for grades K-12 commemorate NSF's 75th anniversary by engaging students in a video game design challenge.
The competition aims to make STEM subjects exciting and accessible, encouraging students to imagine life in the year 2100 and the role science and technology will play in shaping the future.
Why should I enter?
Contestants will have the chance to win prizes, gain recognition and explore the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics while developing a video game.
Win up to $8,500 in various prize categories
Get featured in NSF publications
Connect with other innovators and industry leaders in gaming
How it works
Who can enter?
Students ages 5–18 who are U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents are eligible to enter the challenge.
What kind of video games can be submitted?
Video games submitted to the challenge should be inspired by the theme "Life in 2100" and align with NSF focus areas.
How are winners selected?
Video game entries will be judged based on educational value, creativity, impact, technical quality and alignment with NSF themes.
Resources
Explore tools like codeSpark, Scratch, Unity and Unreal Engine to create your game.
Explore resourcesPrizes
Best-in-Class Awards
These awards acknowledge various aspects of game development:
- Best educational game.
- Best STEM discovery.
- Best technical skill.
- Best storytelling.
- Best art and design.
- Best K–6 game award.
Prize amount per entry: $5,000
Total prizes: 1 for each category
Merit Awards
These awards honor exceptional overall quality and innovation in video game development.
Prize amount per entry: $2,500
Total prizes: 20
Mentor Support Awards
These awards honor mentors, teachers or parents who aid teams in application and video game development.
Prize amount per entry: $1,000
Total prizes: 20
This award is only eligible for individuals/teams that win an award.
Outreach toolkit
Social media
Sample social media
The NSF Game Maker Awards for K-12 are now live! NSF is looking for students to create video games imagining life in 2100. Learn how to get involved and discover how students and mentors can win a share of the $100,000 prize pool: nsf.gov/75years/game-maker-awards
Download a high-resolution version of this image (PNG, 0.9MB)
Credit: Seila Sarun / Ensemble Government Services LLC
Download a high-resolution version of this image (PNG, 0.7MB)
Credit: Seila Sarun / Ensemble Government Services LLC
Download a high-resolution version of this image (PNG, 0.7MB)
Credit: Seila Sarun / Ensemble Government Services LLC
About the challenge
Learn about the Game Maker Awards challenge theme, game design prompts and prizes.
How to enter
Learn how to prepare an entry for the Game Maker Awards challenge.
Eligibility and legal rules
Learn who can participate in the Game Maker Awards challenge.
Judging
Learn how your video game will be evaluated.
