About the Snap Academies

Are you ready to jump in? Below, you’ll find an overview of our program details, application timeline and answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to learn more!

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The 2026 Snap Academies applications now open closed. Join our mailing list to to be notified about 2027 Snap Academies application and event updates.
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Program Details
FAQs

The Snap Academies are ambitious programs designed to provide meaningful career opportunities for community college students and youth who may have experienced homelessness, foster care, or the juvenile justice system. Through these programs, the Snap Academies strive to prepare our young scholars for careers that may have been otherwise inaccessible to them.

Snap Inc., in partnership with Next Shift Learning, have built curricula and designed instruction for nine years, engaging 360+ Scholars in an instructor-led, paid learning experience. Through instruction and skill sharing from Snap Inc. team members, these Scholars have leveled up in design, software engineering, communications, marketing, and augmented reality.

This year, Snap Inc. will be hosting the Snap Design Academy, Snap Engineering Academy, the Snap Storytelling Academy, and the Snap Lens Academy. 

Dates to remember

When do applications open? March 2, 2026
When is the deadline to apply? April 10, 2026
When do the academies start? The four Snap Academies start on June 15, 2026 and end on August 14, 2026. There will be a Final Showcase tentatively held on August 12, 2026.

Sign up on our mailing list so you don't miss a deadline ↗

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Quick Facts

  • Receive an academy payment to develop your skills
  • Designed for community college (or recent transfer) students and opportunity youth
  • This is a full-time commitment, Monday - Friday (9:30 am - 4:30 pm PT) learning from June 15, 2026 - August 14, 2026
  • All learning equipment provided
  • There are four Snap Academies:
    • Snap Design, Engineering and Storytelling Academies are held in-person in Santa Monica, CA
    • Snap Lens Academy is held virtually via Zoom, and is open to all eligible US applicants

Applications for each Academy are live on Monday, March 2, 2026 and are due by Friday, April 10, 2026.

‍All application materials can be found in the Apply Tab↗

Want to learn more about the program?

Attend a
Recruitment Event‍

Meet our team, join a hands-on workshop, and connect with alumni. Sign up for a Skills Lab or Info Session to get your questions answered before you apply.
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Frequently Asked Questions

From eligibility requirements to program details and payment information, we’ve compiled the most important answers in one place to help you move forward with confidence.

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Read FAQs

Contact the
Team

Can't find what you're looking for? Still have questions? Reach out to the Snap Academies team for personalized support — we’re here to help you every step of the way.
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Email Us

We cannot emphasize how excited we are to receive your applications! The Snap Academies applications are now open and will close on April 10th. Find the link to apply here.

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We know some other questions might have popped up as you were reviewing our website. Take a look below at some commonly asked questions - please read carefully.

Who is eligible to apply?

  • Candidates must be:
    → 18 years or older
    → Currently enrolled in school with a graduation date no sooner than Fall 2026
  • We specifically recruit talent from three groups:
    → Community College Students
    → Recent Transfer Students: Students who have moved to a four-year university within the last 18 months
    → Opportunity Youth: Young adults (18+) with lived experience in foster care, housing insecurity, or the justice system.
  • For the Snap Design Academy, Snap Engineering Academy, and Snap Storytelling Academy, candidates must reside in Southern California and have reliable transportation to participate in-person at the Santa Monica offices
  • For the Snap Lens Academy, applications are open to all US-based candidates

NOTE: Students currently at 4-year universities who did not transfer from a community college are not eligible for this program.

What is the selection process?

We use a holistic, four-stage review process:
  • Initial Application (Resume, Transcript, and Work Samples)
  • On-Demand Video Interview (Recorded responses to specific prompts)
  • Project Assessment (A practical exercise to evaluate your technical/creative skills)
  • Final Interview (A 30-minute virtual session with a Snap team member).

What is the time commitment?

The Snap Academies are a full-time commitment for nine weeks. Every academy is entirely instructor-led; it is not a self-paced program. Attendance is required Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm PT.

Because the curriculum is fast-paced, we strongly recommend that Scholars do not enroll in additional summer courses or outside internships. 

Punctuality is vital; in-person Scholars should factor in commute times to ensure they arrive in Santa Monica by 9:00 am.

What will I learn?

The Snap Academies offer an immersive, instructor-led, project-based learning environment. This program is designed as a space for hands-on growth, where you are encouraged to experiment, iterate on your ideas, and learn through the process of building. We prioritize a curriculum that rewards curiosity and development, ensuring you have the support to work through technical and creative challenges in a way that prepares you for the industry.

Key pillars of the experience include:
  • Direct Instruction: You’ll learn from industry-leading instructors and subject matter experts who provide the foundational frameworks and advanced techniques used at companies like Snap Inc.
  • ‍Mentorship: You’ll be paired with mentors who offer professional guidance and industry insights, helping you bridge the gap between being a student and a professional.
  • ‍Iterative Feedback: Learning happens through a continuous loop of feedback. You’ll participate in regular critiques and check-ins, helping you refine your work to meet professional standards.
  • ‍Project-Based Portfolio: Everything you learn is applied to a final capstone project. You’ll leave the Academy with a polished piece of work that demonstrates your skills to future employers.
  • ‍Professional Readiness: By the end of the program, our goal is for every scholar to be internship-ready, equipped with both a professional-grade portfolio and the confidence to navigate a tech environment.

Is this program self-paced?

No. The Snap Academies are 100% instructor-led. Scholars are required to attend synchronous daily sessions and workshops Monday through Friday.

Will the academies be in-person or virtual?

  • The Snap Design Academy, Snap Engineering Academy, and Snap Storytelling Academy will all be held in-person at the Snap offices in Santa Monica.
  • The Snap Lens Academy will be held virtually via Zoom.

How many Scholars will be chosen for the academies?

Each Academy accepts 15 Scholars, for a total of 60 Scholars in the 2026 cohort.

Do I get paid?

Yes. All Scholars receive an academy payment to cover their participation, program completion, and related expenses. Scholars are onboarded as independent contractors (1099 tax form) and they are responsible for any applicable taxes. Additionally, Snap provides all necessary learning equipment (laptops, etc.) for the duration of the program.

Can I apply to more than one academy?

Yes, you may apply to more than one academy; however, please review the minimum requirements and preferred qualifications to ensure you are a good fit for each program.

Can I participate in more than one academy?

No. Each Snap Academy is a full-time commitment and they are held concurrently.