We are so excited to share that for the 25-26 program year we will be celebrating GRAMMY U’s 20th Anniversary! In honor of this milestone, GRAMMY U members can submit their music for 68th GRAMMY Awards consideration for the first time. Yes, YOU can win a GRAMMY!
There are videos below to guide you on what the Online Entry Process is, and where, when and how to submit your music for GRAMMY consideration. A final third video will also dive into the do's and don'ts of sharing after you submit.
The Awards team hosted a webinar on Tuesday, June 24 to further explain this process and answer any questions. If you missed the webinar, rewatch it below!
The Online Entry Process is now OPEN!
The submission period will remain open from July 16 - July 30
for GRAMMY U members.
We've included some FAQs below for any immediate questions you may have. Should you still have a question after reviewing the below, please email onlineentry@grammy.com.
We wish you the best of luck during the Online Entry Process.
-GRAMMY U Team
The Online Entry Process, also known as “OEP”, is where Recording Academy Voting & Professional Members, Media Companies, and this year only – GRAMMY U Members - can submit eligible recordings released during the eligibility window.
You must be an active GRAMMY U member and you must have released original music between August 31, 2024-August 30, 2025 that meets the basic eligibility requirements.
The Online Entry Process, also known as “OEP”, is where Recording Academy Voting & Professional Members, Media Companies, and this year only – GRAMMY U Members - can submit eligible recordings released during the eligibility window.
If you’re not a member yet, you must apply by July 11 at grammyu.com so we can review your application before the Awards process begins.
GRAMMY U membership is for college students of any age and those 18-29 pursuing a music career.
How long does it take for my GRAMMY U membership application to process if I submitted it close to or on July 11?
Typically, the GRAMMY U application process takes about 2 weeks. However, in preparation for the OEP period opening on July 16, our membership team will expedite all eligible applications to be approved in time to submit your music. Be on the lookout for next steps after you complete your application. All dues must be paid to enact the "active GRAMMY U member" status, which is pre-requisite for submitting during the Online Entry Process.
For any GRAMMY U membership application questions, please email grammyu@grammy.com.
Members can submit through the Online Entry Process, which opens for GRAMMY U on Wednesday, July 16 and closes Wednesday, July 30 at 6 p.m. PT.
Late entries will not be accepted. Make sure to complete the SUBMIT COMPLETED ENTRIES process. You will receive a confirmation email once entries are successfully submitted. The Awards team will reach out with any questions!
Between July 16-30 a button will appear in your member profile, which you can see after you login to the recording academy website.
1. Go to: https://members.recordingacademy.com/s/login/?language=en_US
2. The link will take you to the Online Entry Process site!
3. It will take you about 20 minutes if you have all the information readily available to you, so make sure to prepare!
4. Once you submit, you will receive an automated email confirmation, but will otherwise not receive any communications unless there is a question about your entries.
If you do have an eligible recording, the next thing you need to do is prepare to submit it in the Online Entry Process:
1. Your recording must be available on an eligible DSP, with streaming links ready to provide. For most categories, ONLY streaming links are accepted and a downloadable file is NOT valid for submission.
2. You will need to prepare information about your tracks or album in a liner notes document format.
This includes track names with credits including: Release dates, title of project, and featured musicians, producers, songwriters.
Your submission will not be valid without this information.
GRAMMY U members will be allowed up to 5 different entries. This will allow you to make an entry in genre categories like Best Alternative Music Performance, as well as general field like Album of the Year, and the craft categories like Best Engineered Album or Best Instrumental Composition.
Since GRAMMY U members only have 5 entries max, make sure to select the categories that are most applicable.
All entries are subject to the screening process to make sure the recordings are in the most appropriate categories.
There is a $20 fee for each entry.
There are many roles you can play in the recording in order to submit. This can be as a songwriter, artist, producer, engineer, instrumentalist, or similar. However, you do not have to be part of the recording in order to submit it. But you will need to make sure to have the proper liner notes/label copy and other important recording information, so typically it is someone heavily involved in the project.
What if my song or album is released by August 30, 2025 - which is after the entry period ending July 30?
You can still submit that entry! There will be an option to select to upload your track link after it is released as you complete your submission. You MUST still submit the entry by July 30 in order to be considered.
No. Only Voting members can vote in the GRAMMY Awards process.
This special limited-time member benefit for GRAMMY U members only allows members to submit your music for consideration.
Submissions are reviewed by the awards team to ensure they’re submitted to the correct category. A few days prior to the first round of voting, you will receive an email that shows the final category placement for your entries.
The first round of voting includes ALL eligible submissions. These are entries, not nominations. The Voting Period begins October 3rd and closes on October 15th
Only Voting members vote in the GRAMMY Awards process.
After first round voting, Nominees are announced online in November
If your recording is nominated, it will be included in the Second Round of voting, which is from December 12, 2025 to January 5, 2026.
Winners will be announced at the GRAMMY Awards.
During the voting process, any call to action to listen to your music is known as “For Your Consideration” communications, or FYC.
There are things you can do during this time and things that are not allowed and could result in your submission being disqualified. Let’s get into what the parameters are!
You can let voters know about your recordings, but make sure to be aware of the FYC Policies and what is allowed:
- Communications may include emails, mailings, invitations, social media, websites, and print ad - however these communications are prohibited unless they include an opt-out option.
- Members or their designated publicists are restricted to promoting only their own recordings.
- There shall be no lobbying on behalf of other members.
FYC Communications can include the following:
- Artwork related to product under consideration
- Brief, unembellished descriptions of the recording or creators
- Copies or links to product
- Links to websites that promote eligible recordings
- Link to Recording Academy website where Voting and Solicitation Guidelines are posted
- Lists of the creators who worked on the recording
- Reference to nominations, once nominations are announced. You must list the Category(s) by full name.
- Reference to the GRAMMY Award with proper registered marks. Use of logo is prohibited. Reference can be made by name only. See below for written usage allowed:
• GRAMMY®
• GRAMMY® Award
• GRAMMY Awards® (Only the plural GRAMMY Awards gets the ® on Awards instead)
FYC COMMUNICATIONS CANNOT:
- Include entry list numbers or Category numbers
- Cast a negative or derogatory light on a competing recording. Any tactic that singles out the “competition” by name or title is not allowed
- Exaggerate or overstate the merits of the music, an achievement or an individual
- Include any Recording Academy trademarks, logos or any other protected information: https://www.recordingacademy.com/legal. Logo use is reserved for paid Recording Academy sponsors or partners.
- Include chart numbers, number of streams, sales figures, or RIAA awards
- Include personal signatures, personal regards or personal pleas to listen to the eligible recordings
- Misrepresent honors or awards, past or present, received by either the recording or those involved with production
- Reference the year or the telecast number (i.e., 2022 or 65th GRAMMY Awards)
This is a special one-time opportunity for GRAMMY U members for this year only in celebration of GRAMMY U’s 20th Anniversary.
Are these guidelines for OEP the same as for Voting and Professional members at the Recording Academy?
No. There are special rules & guidelines for GRAMMY U members to submit their music for consideration as special member benefit. Please do not refer to any other guidelines not listed on this site.
Join the Awards team for a webinar just for GRAMMY U members on June 24 at 3 p.m. ET by registering HERE.
If you cannot attend, we will have the webinar available for viewing on this page afterward.
