The Television Academy Foundation today announced applications are open for its 2026 Summer Internship Program in Los Angeles for media arts college students nationwide offering over 40 paid, eight-week internships at top Hollywood production companies and studios.
The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accredited colleges and universities as well as students graduating in spring 2026. Internships may be in person, hybrid or remote — depending upon the opportunity. Online applications are being accepted through Jan. 7, 2026, at 5 p.m. (PST) at TelevisionAcademy.com/Internships.
“The Summer Internship Program is one of the most exciting gateways into the entertainment industry,” said Tina Perry, chair of the Television Academy Foundation. “We’re proud to offer students across the country unparalleled access to industry leaders and hands-on experience that can shape their future careers in television.”
The Foundation’s internship program is celebrated as one of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious programs for students seeking careers in television. It gives students in-depth and professional experience working in a variety of television careers and disciplines at top entertainment studios and production facilities.
Internship categories include opportunities for animation, cinematography, development, directing, editing, production, news and writing. Participants gain behind-the-scenes insight into the business and the opportunities to expand their professional network through various career-development events.
Finalists are selected by members of the Television Academy with final selections made by participating host companies.
The Foundation also offers Getting Real: Unscripted Internships for students from the Greater Los Angeles Area and Central Valley of California interested in nonfiction television careers. In addition, internships for foster youth in the Greater Los Angeles Area are available with support from the Wolf Family Foundation.
Students selected for the 2026 Summer Internship Program will be offered the chance to also apply for the Bob Bennett Future Leaders program. Established by a gift from the Robert M. and Marjie A. Bennett Foundation, the Future Leaders program provides additional financial support for intern housing and transportation as well as leadership training for the 10 students selected. To be considered, applicants must submit a 350-word essay on what innovation and leadership mean to them and how they plan to apply those qualities in their internship and future careers in television.
Since 1980, the Internship Program has been instrumental in launching the careers of prominent writers, producers, directors, executives, and Emmy nominees and winners. Notable Foundation alumni include Shrinking executive producer Neil Goldman, The Last of Us executive producer Craig Mazin, Shondaland’s Vice President of Creative Content Marco Esquivel, Sinners producer Sev Ohanian, Genius: MLK/X executive producer Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Vice President of Nonfiction Series and Sports at Netflix Brandon Riegg.
All selected interns become members of the Television Academy Foundation’s alumni network, gaining access to exclusive networking opportunities and year-round industry events.
About the Television Academy Foundation
Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Television Academy Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of television while educating and inspiring those who will shape its future. Through renowned educational and outreach programs such as The Interviews: An Oral History of Television Project, College Television Awards and Summit, Student Internship Program, and the Media Educators Conference, the Foundation seeks to widen the circle of voices our industry represents and to create more opportunity for television to reflect all of society. For more information on the Foundation, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com/Foundation.
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