NPR's Public Radio Immersion Day competition 2026

Thank you for your interest in participating in the visual identity competition for Public Radio Immersion Day with National Public Radio (NPR). This opportunity invites students from Howard University, Bowie State University, and Morgan State University to create an original visual identity for Public Radio Immersion Day, themed “Public Radio Meets HBCU Excellence.”

Selected students will be asked to develop a brand identity for this year's theme, such as a wordmark, symbol, icon, or visual concept, that can sit alongside the official NPR and university logos. This is not a competition to redesign, combine, or reinterpret any institutional logos. All official logos must remain unchanged and used only as provided.

Up to three (3) students per university will be selected as Finalists. This form will help NPR learn more about your interests, creative experience, design perspective, and availability.

The deadline to submit this interest form is Friday, August 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

For additional contest deadlines and information, please refer to the Official Rules.

1. First and Last Name *This question is required.

2. University email address *This question is required.

5. Expected graduation year *This question is required.

6. Phone number *This question is required.

7. Major (please write N/A if no major declared) *This question is required.

8. Minor, if applicable

9. The visual identity competition timeline is as follows:

August 10-12: Top 3 selected students from each university will attend a kick-off meeting with NPR leadership to learn competition rules, deadlines and expectations.
August 12–August 19: Student design period
Wednesday, August 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET: Students submit their final visual identity concept, along with a short explanation of the story behind the design

Please indicate that you are available to adhere to this timeline. *This question is required.

10. I understand that by submitting my design, I give NPR, its member stations, and my Participating University permission to use, edit, adapt, publish, and display my work along with my name, likeness, and biographical information for Public Radio Immersion Day and other purposes as detailed in Section 9 of the Official Rules. This ensures the selected visual identity can be used consistently across event promotions, digital platforms, signage, social media, and future communications. *This question is required.

13.

The theme “Public Radio Meets HBCU Excellence” invites you to imagine what happens when the tradition, brilliance, creativity, and leadership of HBCU students connect with the storytelling, service, sound, and public mission of public radio.

If selected, what ideas, themes, or visual elements would you be interested in exploring for this competition?

*This question is required.

14. Please upload 1–3 examples of your creative work. This does not need to be published or professional work. Personal drawings, class projects, sketches, digital designs, social media graphics, or other creative pieces are welcome. *This question is required.

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15. Tell us why you should be selected as a student participant from your university? *This question is required.

16. Tell us about any experience you have in communication, journalism, graphic design, visual communication, digital media, marketing, public relations, art, or a related field. If you are self-taught, please indicate that as well. *This question is required.

By submitting this interest form, I agree to be bound by NPR's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.