Participation Grants Application


Grant Details

Gen Con Participation Grants will again be offered in 2025. Grants are awarded based on a submitted application and review process.

Eligibility for Participation Grants includes being part of a 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. Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

Grant recipients are expected to participate in Gen Con Indy 2025, held July 31 – August 3, in Indianapolis, IN.


Grant Recipients Receive

  • One (1) complimentary 4-Day badge
  • Stipend of $550 *

Key Dates

  • Jan 13 – Feb 10, 2025 - Application submission period
  • March 3, 2025 (week of) - Recipients notification - You will be contacted either way
  • May 13, 2025 – The stipend payment process begins


Application Submission Form

To apply, fill out the application (a Google form) and tell us why you want to come to Gen Con Indy! By applying for a Gen Con Participation Grant, you have read and agreed to the Terms of Service.


Applications are open! Submit your 2025 Grant application.

Rules and Guidelines

  • * 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.
  • Grant recipients will be expected to in Gen Con Indy and may be asked to complete a post-show survey.
  • You must have a Gen Con account to apply.
  • You must be at least 18 years old at the time of submitting your application to apply.
  • Grants are non-transferable and must be used in the year 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 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 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.)

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Housing

  • If you need housing, it is recommended that you purchase a 4-day badge before Housing Registration opens (February) to gain access to our housing portal.
  • If your application is accepted and you are awarded a grant, the purchased 4-day badge will be fully refunded in the manner it was purchased.

For more detailed housing information, visit Housing and Travel.