We are thrilled to once again offer Gen Con Participation Grants in 2024. Application submission is now closed. Thank you to all who submitted an application.

Participation Grants are awarded to help gaming enthusiasts from historically underrepresented communities attend Gen Con Indy. Participation Grants include complimentary 4-Day badge and a stipend ranging from $450 to $1000 for people who would like to attend the convention in Indianapolis but find the cost prohibitive.

Help make The Best Four Days in Gaming™ even better by bringing your perspective and passion for tabletop gaming to Gen Con Indy and learn about the latest games and trends to share with your gaming community back home or online.

We want to bring awesome folks to Gen Con Indy for whom attending will have a material impact on their career, their ambitions, or their community of fellow gamers. Participation Grants are awarded based on a submitted application and a review process. To apply, fill out the application (a google form) and tell us why you want to come to Gen Con Indy!

Key Dates:

• March 18 - April 15, 2024 - Application submission
• May 6, 2024 - Recipients will be contacted either way

Eligibility for Participation Grants includes being part of an historically underrepresented community, an active member of a tabletop gaming community and/or involved in gamer-adjacent/geek-culture communities that would benefit or learn from your participation at Gen Con Indy.

Examples of gaming or gaming-adjacent communities broadly include (but are not limited to):

• Activities at your local game store
• Business interest: Aspiring game designer, publisher, game store owner, or other industry aspirant
• Social media reach, active streamer, TikTok, Twitch
• Gaming group (online or offline): local, school, place of worship, club, community center, etc.
• Other groups: Cosplay, video games, LARPs, etc.

Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Grant recipients will be expected to participate in Gen Con Indy 2024, held August 1-4, 2024, in Indianapolis, IN.

By applying for a Gen Con Participation Grant, you have read and agreed to the Terms of Service.

Other things to know when applying (the fine print):

• Grant recipients will be expected to participate in Gen Con Indy and may be asked to complete a post-show survey.
• You must have a Gen Con account in order to apply.
• Gen Con is a for-profit company, therefore grant recipients will need to fill out a W-9 form and may need to claim winnings with the IRS.
• Must be 18 years of age or older to apply.
• Grants are non-transferable and must be used in the year in which they are awarded.
• Grant stipends are expected to be used for expenses related to attending Gen Con Indy.
• Grant recipients are responsible for making their own arrangements (i.e. travel, housing) to attend Gen Con Indy.
• Gen Con will make all reasonable attempts to provide grant recipients with the grant stipends. If, after two attempts and/or by the end of the current year, the grant recipient doesn’t sign up for direct deposit or cash the cash the check, Gen Con will consider the matter closed.
• Gen Con will not consider applications of those who have received grant awards for two (2) consecutive years.
• Grant eligibility excludes the following: companies, gaming groups, and individuals contracted in any way with Gen Con, LLC (i.e. Event Team members, contracted EOs, etc.)

Questions regarding this program can be found here or by using the yellow help bubble at the bottom of each of our website pages. You can also email Customer Service.