The Howard University Academy for Media Futures is a summer journalism program run by the Department of Media, Journalism and Film in Howard’s Cathy Hughes School of Communications. The Academy has organized workshops for high school students since 1975.
For two weeks, scholars come to the Washington, D.C. campus to learn news writing, audio, video, photography and social media while reporting on health and wellness in underserved communities. Their stories run on the Voices of Tomorrow news site.
Benefits & funding
- Free for admitted students: no tuition or fee.
- Continental breakfast and lunch each program day.
- Teaching by Howard faculty plus visiting journalists from outlets such as The Washington Post, CNN and ABC News.
- Day program only: Howard provides no housing.
Eligibility
- High school students in grades 9–12, plus graduating seniors entering their first year of college that fall.
- No citizenship or residence rule is stated.
- With no housing offered, you must be able to reach the D.C. campus each day, 10:00am–4:00pm.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
High School
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Application process
- 1Submit the online form with a teacher recommendation letter, a 250-word essay on what interests you most about health in your family or community, two journalism work samples and an unofficial transcript.
- 2Apply by the deadline (April 4 in the 2026 cycle).
- 3Only successful applicants are contacted; no reply means you were not selected.
Program timeline
Application deadline (2026 cycle)
Apr 4, 2026
Program starts
Jun 20, 2026
Program ends
Jul 3, 2026