Screen Australia Emerging Gamemakers Fund: February 2027 round
Screen Australia grants up to AU$30,000 to emerging Australian gamemakers for prototypes or micro scale games. The next round opens December 14, 2026 and closes February 25, 2027.
The Screen Australia Emerging Gamemakers Fund offers grants of up to $30,000 (Australian dollars) to emerging independent games practitioners. Established gamemakers who want to explore creative and artistic experimentation can apply as well. The fund can pay for a prototype or for the completion and release of a micro scale game.
Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, or incorporated Australian companies. They need an ABN, must be registered for GST where required, and must control the rights needed for the project. The project budget may not exceed $500,000 at the time of application.
The current round closed on August 27, 2026. The next round opens on December 14, 2026 and closes on February 25, 2027. Applicants hear back about 12 weeks after the deadline.
Screen Australia assesses proposals on creative originality and experimentation, on the scope and budget of the project, on its commercial and cultural impact on Australian games, and on equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
Applications are submitted through the Screen Australia SmartyGrants portal, linked from the fund page. Questions go to games@screenaustralia.gov.au.