CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, hosted in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority (CMA), has officially opened applications for its sixth annual cohort, continuing its commitment to develop the next generation of journalists and storytellers from the UAE. Aligned with the UAE’s Year of the Family, a section of the 2026 programme will include a news assignment with human-focused storytelling which draws on unique experiences, meaningful connections, community and society.
In 2026, the programme introduces an updated agenda format designed to train more regional participants, further enhance the learning experience and incentivise high achievement. CNN Academy will deliver two separate in-person training cohorts, running for two weeks in Abu Dhabi, with one in September and the other in October. This will enable more students to take part by offering approximately 60 participants in each cohort the same immersive curriculum led by CNN’s global experts and outstanding guest speakers.
Following the completion of both training sessions, a select group of top-performing participants from each cohort will be invited to take part in the programme’s final Simulation Week which replicates a breaking news environment and tackles newsgathering with technological advancements and AI. This culminating experience will bring together the strongest candidates to collaborate in a dynamic, real-time newsroom environment, working alongside international CNN Academy students from around the world and guided by CNN professionals.
Building on the success of last year, the CNN Academy Career Fair will return in 2026 as part of the programme. First introduced during the fifth edition, the Career Fair brought together current participants and alumni, providing exclusive access to recruitment leaders, creative industry partners and major media companies. Designed to support the transition from training to employment, the initiative offers opportunities for direct networking, industry exposure and preliminary interviews for future roles and internships.
Aysha Al Jneibi, Director of Talent Management at Creative Media Authority, said: “This next annual phase of CNN Academy Abu Dhabi reflects our continued commitment to nurturing future media talent in the UAE. The introduction of an enhanced programme format ensures that more aspiring storytellers have access to world-class training, encouraging participants to explore meaningful narratives that resonate deeply within our society and across generations.”
Becky Anderson, Managing Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi and anchor of Connect the World, said: “Playing a central role at the heart of the creative community here in Abu Dhabi is hugely important for us at CNN, so it feels especially apt that this 6th annual cohort of CNN Academy coincides with the UAE’s Year of the Family. At a time when journalism here in this region is perhaps more important than ever, we are also immensely proud to be expanding the programme to enable even more storytellers to build their skills and make lasting connections that will strengthen the community here in the UAE and beyond.”
Open to dedicated students and emerging professionals aged 18 and above, the programme offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in multiplatform storytelling, newsroom operations, and content creation.
Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open online and will close on 14 June 2026.
For more information and to apply visit: https://www.cma.gov.ae/cnn-academy
