2026 Summer Innovation Program
The 2026 MassDigi Summer Innovation Program (SIP) is an eleven-week program that includes mentoring, guidance, awards (aka stipends) and support** to help student teams finalize an original game and prepare it for launch.
- A chance to work on a game prototype from the ground up
- Work with a team of peers to help create the next big hit
- Industry mentors to help guide you
- Taking place at WPI.
- An award (aka a stipend) but no housing**
This is not just another program but a chance to hold the fate of a game in your hands. There are industry mentors and faculty to help you – but in the end it is up to your team to build a successful game.**
- Expressions of interest due by February 27, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Notifications regarding expressions of interest will be sent on or before March 13, 2026.**
- SIP 26 is scheduled to run from May 21 to July 30.**
- Please read the FAQ’s before applying.
** Pending funding and approvals, all is subject to change including stipend, duration etc.
FAQs
Who can participate?
The Summer Innovation Program is open to all but we give preference to students who will be entering their sophomore, junior or senior year (and graduate students, too) at a regionally-accredited college or university.* Students must be able to commit to a typical work week for the entire duration of program – from onboarding (May 21-22) to the core program (May 25-July 30)**. This year, the studio will be at WPI. Certain eligibility requirements, as noted below and in the application, must be met. Housing is not part of the program this year. **
The SIP process is very competitive. For example, in 2023, 326 students attending 94 different colleges and universities from around the world applied for the 25 available slots. For more information on previous SIP, please visit our blog
What disciplines can apply?
Students studying game design, development, programming, animation, art, production and computer science will make up most of the teams, but there is room for marketers, writers and musicians, as well as others, too.
What will you build?
In addition to team-generated projects, on occasion, MassDigi also works with a number of sponsors that are building everything from mobile entertainment games to educational titles. You will work on a team that is focused on one title – though you will have a chance to help out on some of the other titles.
Is housing included?
No. Housing is not included.
Wait, does this include food?
No, MassDigi does not have the ability to provide meals. There are a number of local restaurants and grocery stores.
What does this cost?
Nothing. In fact, you will receive a very modest award for your participation.
What is an award (aka a stipend)?
Money. You will receive an award of $1000. You must be properly authorized in the US to receive an award.**
Where have SIP alumni gone on to work?
SIP alumni have gone on to work or intern at a range of companies and organizations including Sony, Google, 2K, Nickelodeon, Harmonix, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, MIT Lincoln Lab, EA, Amazon, Turbine/Warner Bros., Wooga, Blizzard, Uber, Pilot Studio, SAP, Wizards of the Coast, Wayfair, Mightier, Filament Games, Epic, Rockstar New England, Magic Leap, Disney, Adult Swim, OtherSide Entertainment, Riot, Teach for America, Roosterteeth, Unity, Zapdot, HakJak, Maxis, Insomniac Games, Epic Games, Hi-Rez Studios, Kongregate, Philips, Fanbyte, Niantic Labs, Zynga, Goldman Sachs, Wellington, Bungie, Disbelief, Velan, Other Ocean, Toys for Bob, Legends of Learning, Zenimax, Proletariat, Larian and Hasbro or startup their own studios such as Shattered Journal, Zephyr Workshop, Snoozy Kazoo and Petricore.
What games have come out of SIP in past years?
In SIP24, the teams built Uh Oh, AI!, No Party In Paradise, Hamster Ball Blitz, while the ESIP cohort built Distant Desert, Ninja Camel, Camel vs Pirate and Bedouin Ride. In SIP 23, the teams built Aliens Want Our Mascot!, Rodent Rampage, Milo’s Magical Adventure, and Rock On, Raccoon! while the Summer Studio 23 team built Merge Monastery. In SIP22, the teams built Cafe Cat, Hellfire Hair, Demigod Daycare and Get Low, Grandpa. Most prior year games that are still updated can be found by searching for MassDigi in the Apple App and Google Play Stores while a few can also be found on Steam.
Do I have to be a student at WPI to participate?
No. The program is open to all but preference is given to college and university students who will be entering at least their sophomore, junior or senior year (and graduate students, too) at a regionally-accredited college or university.* In past years students from institutions such as MIT, USC, Carnegie Mellon, Smith, Champlain, Tufts, Clark, Mt. Holyoke, RIT, RPI, NYU, Wellesley, Swarthmore, Emerson, BU, UMass Lowell, UMass Boston, UMass Amherst, UMass Dartmouth, MassArt, Brandeis, Acadia (Canada), Vassar, Amherst, Parsons, Fitchburg St., Union, Colby, Hampshire, Union, Temple, Brown, Vassar, Cornell, Bryn Mawr, Pratt, LYIT (Ireland), IUPUI, WIT, Quinnipiac, Northeastern, Swarthmore, Lesley, SVA, RISD, Southern Maine, MECA, Penn, Framingham St., Becker and Berklee have been accepted.
How many students are accepted into the program?
We hope to accept 15-20 students into SIP.
* The regional-accreditation requirement may not apply for applicants enrolled in non-US institutions. International students must handle their own visas and documents as required.
** Pending funding, all is subject to change including stipend, duration etc.
Are you a company looking to sponsor the program? All sponsors receive:
- Branding on the MassDigi website and at events
- Opportunity to provide inserts for attendees to the Game Challenge event
- Prominent branding in all messaging related to the program
- Invitations to the SIP Open House
- And more!
Please contact info(at)massdigi.org if you would like more information on SIP or sponsorship.
