Award program
International Songwriting Competition
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is a global song contest open to amateur and professional songwriters across all genres, judged by a panel of music-industry figures.
Submit original songs (released or unreleased) worldwide, each assigned to a genre category, with a per-entry fee and an audio recording or streaming link.
- Eligibility Window
- Annual entry period (Early Bird, Regular, Extended deadlines)
- Who Can Submit
- Amateur & professional songwriters worldwide
- Who It's For
- Songwriters • Artists • Bands • All genres
- Submission Method
- Online entry with a per-song fee at songwritingcompetition.com
Official requirements
Drawn from the program's published eligibility rules.
Submit an original song
OfficialSubmit an original song you wrote (music and/or lyrics); AI-generated entries are subject to ISC's AI rules and are reviewed separately.
Why it matters: Entries must be your original work, and non-original or improperly cleared songs are disqualified.
Meets open eligibility
OfficialOpen to amateur and professional songwriters worldwide, of any age (entrants under 18 need a parent or guardian signature); songs may be released or unreleased.
Why it matters: ISC is open to all skill levels and ages, but entrants under 18 need a guardian signature to qualify.
Assign a genre category
OfficialAssign each entry to one of ISC's genre categories; you may enter as many songs and categories as you wish.
Why it matters: Judging happens within genre categories, so a wrong or missing category can misplace an otherwise strong song.
Pay the per-entry fee
OfficialPay the entry fee for each song-per-category entry (2026: Early Bird $25, Regular $30, Extended $35).
Why it matters: Each song-per-category entry is only official once its fee is paid.
Provide audio and lyrics
OfficialUpload an MP3 or provide a streaming link (YouTube, Spotify, SoundCloud, etc.), and include the lyrics where the category requires them.
Why it matters: Judges evaluate a recording and, where required, a lyric sheet, so missing either leaves the entry incomplete.
Preparation Guidance
Music Awards Center recommendations based on official International Songwriting Competition eligibility requirements.
Present the song at its best
Music Awards Center RecommendationSubmit a clean, well-mixed recording and an accurate lyric sheet so judges evaluate the song's creativity, melody, and arrangement.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09Choose the strongest genre category
Music Awards Center RecommendationMatch each song to the genre category that fits it best, since judging happens within categories and placement affects how the song is evaluated.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09Prepare lyrics and metadata before submission
Music Awards Center RecommendationAssemble an accurate lyric sheet and entry details in advance, especially for categories that require lyrics.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09Verify streaming links and audio quality
Music Awards Center RecommendationCheck that your MP3 or streaming link works and the recording is clean and well-mixed before you submit.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09Submit before deadline pricing increases
Music Awards Center RecommendationEnter earlier in the cycle to use the lower Early Bird and Regular fees before Extended-deadline pricing applies.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09
Common submission mistakes
Music Awards Center guidance on what commonly trips up submissions — not official requirements.
- Assigning the wrong genre category, or leaving it unassigned
- Not paying the fee for each song-per-category entry
- Missing lyrics where the category requires them
- Poor-quality audio or broken streaming links
- Overlooking the AI-content rules
Ready to check your International Songwriting Competition readiness?
Run your free International Songwriting Competition Readiness Assessment and receive personalized recommendations based on the official eligibility requirements.