Award program
Grammy Awards
Presented by the Recording Academy, the Grammy Awards are a peer-voted honor recognizing outstanding achievement in the recording arts across genres and crafts.
New recordings commercially released and nationally distributed in the U.S. during the annual eligibility period, each carrying an ISRC or UPC, entered through the Recording Academy's Online Entry Process by a member or registered media company with complete credits and correct category placement.
- Eligibility Window
- Annual (official dates published each year)
- Who Can Submit
- Recording Academy members or Registered Media Companies
- Who It's For
- Commercially released artists • Independent artists • Labels • Registered media companies
- Submission Method
- Recording Academy Online Entry Process
Official requirements
Drawn from the program's published eligibility rules.
Released during the eligibility period
OfficialThe recording is released to the public during the Grammy eligibility period, an annually announced 12-month window (69th Grammy Awards: August 31, 2025 through August 28, 2026).
Why it matters: Recordings released outside the official eligibility window cannot be submitted.
Commercially released and nationally distributed in the U.S.
OfficialThe recording is available for sale or streaming via general distribution — brick-and-mortar stores, third-party online retailers, and/or approved paid-subscription streaming services — nationwide in the United States, from a date within the eligibility period through at least the final-round voting deadline.
Why it matters: A recording that is not in genuine nationwide commercial release does not qualify as an entry.
Assign an ISRC or UPC
OfficialEvery recording entered carries an assigned International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) or UPC number.
Why it matters: Without proper identifiers, releases cannot be matched and verified correctly.
Meet digital audio quality and format standards
OfficialDigital recordings are at least 16-bit / 44.1 kHz quality with proper label credits (producer, mixer, songwriter, etc.) in the metadata and a verifiable online release date; recordings meet the Academy's running-time and format standards for their field.
Why it matters: Recordings below the Academy's technical and format standards can be rejected at entry.
Original, authorized recording
OfficialThe recording is a non-infringing, original work of authorship; any third-party copyrighted material it incorporates is properly authorized.
Why it matters: Unauthorized or infringing material can disqualify the recording at any stage.
Complete and accurate credits
OfficialAll eligible creators (artists, songwriters, producers, engineers) are correctly credited on the entry.
Why it matters: Incomplete or incorrect credits may delay review or cause submission issues.
Correct category and field placement
OfficialThe recording is entered in the appropriate genre field and category under the current rules.
Why it matters: The wrong category placement can invalidate an otherwise eligible entry.
Submit through the Online Entry Process
OfficialThe recording is entered during the Recording Academy's Online Entry Process for the 69th Awards (open July 7 through August 21, 2026) by a Recording Academy member or an approved registered media company, with the required per-entry fee, before the August 21, 2026 deadline.
Why it matters: Entries not filed through the official process before the August 21, 2026 deadline are not considered.
At least 66% new recordings
OfficialTo qualify as a new album, at least 66% of the release's total playing time must consist of newly released recordings; a release below that proportion is treated as a compilation or reissue rather than a new album.
Why it matters: A release below the 66% new-recording proportion competes as a reissue, not a new album.
Meets the album length definition
OfficialAn album contains at least five distinct tracks and at least 15 minutes of total playing time, or at least 30 minutes of total playing time regardless of track count.
Why it matters: Releases that fall short of the album definition are entered as singles, not albums.
Meaningful human authorship (AI-eligibility review)
OfficialOnly work with meaningful human authorship is eligible, and that authorship must be relevant to the specific category entered. Material produced solely by artificial intelligence is not eligible; AI-assisted work is assessed by review, and eligibility is never automatically assumed.
Why it matters: Without meaningful, category-relevant human authorship the work is not eligible, and any AI involvement is reviewed case by case.
Submitter path: Recording Academy member
OfficialOne way to enter is as a Recording Academy Voting or Professional member. To take part in the 69th Online Entry Process through the member path, Academy membership must be in place by the July 31, 2026 membership deadline. Membership is one of two submitter paths and is not required if you enter through an approved registered media company.
Why it matters: Members can enter directly, but the member path needs Academy membership in place by the July 31, 2026 membership deadline.
Submitter path: approved Registered Media Company
OfficialThe second way to enter is through an approved Registered Media Company. Media-company registration runs June 25 through August 14, 2026 and carries a $180 annual registration fee, and the company must be approved before the Online Entry Process opens. Registration is separate from entry and per-entry fees apply separately. Each recording needs its ISRC or UPC, final track listings and credits, and streaming links, and credits should be treated as final and important at entry. Creating or registering a company does not by itself guarantee approval.
Why it matters: The media-company path avoids individual membership but needs approved registration by the August 14, 2026 deadline plus the $180 annual fee before entry.
Preparation Guidance
Music Awards Center recommendations based on official Grammy Awards eligibility requirements.
Secure membership or a submitting partner
Music Awards Center RecommendationPlan how you will submit: join the Recording Academy as a member or partner with a member or registered media company who can enter your recording.
Prepare a metadata sheet before the window opens
Music Awards Center RecommendationHave ISRCs, the release UPC, and full credits assembled before the entry window so submission is fast and accurate.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09Verify every contributor credit
Music Awards Center RecommendationConfirm that all artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers are named and spelled consistently across your distributor, DSPs, and metadata before you enter.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09Decide your category before submission
Music Awards Center RecommendationResearch the current fields and categories and choose the best fit ahead of time so category placement is deliberate rather than rushed at entry.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09Prepare submission assets before the window opens
Music Awards Center RecommendationGather artwork, verifiable release dates, credit documentation, and links in advance so nothing blocks you once the entry window is live.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09
Common submission mistakes
Music Awards Center guidance on what commonly trips up submissions — not official requirements.
- Missing contributor credits
- Wrong category selection
- Incorrect release dates
- Metadata inconsistencies
- Waiting until the submission deadline
Ready to check your Grammy Awards readiness?
Run your free Grammy Awards Readiness Assessment and receive personalized recommendations based on the official eligibility requirements.