Global Game Jam and Games for Change are launching two empowering student game jam initiatives through 2026: GGJ Next (ages 10-18), and G4C-GGJ Next Gen Expert Jam (ages 18-25).
GGJ Next is an annual event for teens and young people around the world who are interested in learning about video game development. By partnering with Games for Change Student Challenge, participants are encouraged to create social impact games while improving their coding, designing, creativity, and other STEAM skills.
Jam window is currently open for submission through March 15, 2026. Participants must register via the GGJ Next Interest Form. Games created during the jam may be submitted to the G4C Student Challenge, with the Game of the Year winner receiving a $10,000 scholarship.
Games should follow one of the three themes in this year’s G4C Student Challenge: Outgrow Hunger, Own the Road, and All in for Nature: Reefs & Rainforests. See links for more information, including specific game design prompts.
G4C-GGJ Next Gen Expert Jam supports virtual jammers (via a community itch.io page), as well as G4C Diversifiers, or in-person at a local university. Games must be playable on a web browser, and created using a free or open platform. Game submission should use one of the Student Challenge themes (above), and created by no more than four students.
Awards include a $10,000 scholarship, as well as category awards (such as Best gameplay, Best Unity game, Best theme, etc), and, new in 2026, the best game from each GGJ country.
“Collaboration is a core tenet of Global Game Jam,” said Maria Burns Ortiz, executive director, Global Game Jam. “Partnering with Games for Change allows us both to bring our youth jams to a wider international audience in support of our shared mission to empower the next generation of game creators.”
Games for Change recently announced its 23rd annual Festival, taking place at The Glasshouse in New York City July 21-22, 2026. The event is currently accepting speaker and award submissions, and will host its annual Games for Change Awards.
Game for Change is a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 to support, highlight, and encourage games that support social impact and serious causes.
Global Game Jam is a nonprofit that empowers and encourages developers around the world through its titular game jam.
