How to submit music to the Grammy Awards

Let’s be real, the Grammy Awards are still one of the most powerful stamps of recognition in the music industry. Whether you're aiming for a golden trophy or just want your work taken seriously by the industry’s top gatekeepers, music awards visibility matters and Grammys are the easiest way to create a ripple.

You’ve made a track you’re proud of. You’ve done the work. But how do you actually submit music to the Grammy Awards? Can you do it without a label, without a huge team, without a clue what OEP even stands for?

Yes. You just need to understand the process, and that’s exactly what we’re here for.

This guide walks you through everything: eligibility, deadlines, how independent artists can get in, and how the submission system really works.

But before we go any further, if you're serious about submitting your music to the Grammys and need some help, we're members of The Recording Academy and offer a specialized service to help you with the submission process. If you're interested in taking your music to the next level, get in touch with us today!

In this blog, we’re breaking it all down:

1. How do you submit music to the Grammy Awards?
   
   
2. Can independent artists submit to the Grammys?
   
   
3. What are the eligibility rules for the 2026 Grammys?
   
   
4. Step-by-step Grammy Awards submission guide
   
   
5. How to find a member of the Recording Academy?
   
   
6. FAQs
   
   
7. Our Final Thoughts
   
   

How do you submit music to the Grammy Awards?

Submitting to the 2026 Grammy Awards isn’t as mysterious as it sounds, but it’s not totally open to the public either. Let’s break this down further:

Who can submit music to the Grammys?

Not just anyone can hop in and upload a track. The only people allowed to submit entries are:

• Recording Academy voting or professional members
• Registered media companies (labels, PR firms, etc.)
• Artists working with a member

So if you're not part of the Academy yet, you’ll either need to apply for membership or collaborate with someone who is, like a member you know, or a trusted platform that offers that service. 

How much does it cost to submit music to the Grammys?

Submitting music itself is free. But Recording Academy membership, which you need to submit, costs about $100/year. That’s the price to get your foot in the door.

If you’re going through a media company or a rep, they might charge a service fee. That part’s up to them.

What’s the deadline to submit music for the 2026 Grammy Awards?

Submissions for the 67th Grammy Awards (that’s the 2026 edition) will likely open in mid-July 2025 and close by late August 2025. The Academy hasn’t confirmed exact dates yet, but based on past years, that’s the window you want to watch.

And heads up! Your music also needs to be released during the official eligibility period (usually August 16 of the previous year to August 15 of the current year). 

Can independent artists submit to the Grammys?

Absolutely. You don’t need a label deal or a million-dollar budget or the strongest footing in the music industry to get on the Grammy radar.

In fact, indie artists (not signed to major labels like Sony, Warner or Universal Music) have been making serious waves. Think Chance the Rapper who made history in 2017 by winning Best Rap Album for Coloring Book, a project released independently and available only via streaming or Tank and the Bangas who rose from NPR Tiny Desk fame to earn a Grammy nomination without a major label.

So, if you're an independent artist wondering if you stand a chance? The answer is yes, your music hits the mark and follows eligibility rules.

What are the eligibility rules for the 2026 Grammys?

To submit your music to the 2026 Grammy Awards, here’s what you need to tick off:

• Release window: Your music must be commercially released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025.
  
  
• Public availability: The release must be available via digital streaming platforms or physical distribution. No exclusive drops on obscure websites. It has to be accessible to the public.
  
  
• Proper format: Singles, EPs, albums, and eligible video content (original music videos) can be submitted  as long as they meet the Recording Academy's criteria. Submissions must also include proper metadata like release dates, credits, songwriter/producer info, ISRC codes, etc.
  
  
• Genre-inclusive: Grammys don’t just recognize pop stars. With dozens of music award show categories (from jazz to spoken word to global music), almost every genre has a lane. If you think your genre is niche, Grammy might still have space for you.
  
  
• Check the fine print: Every year, the official Grammy rules get a few tweaks. We’d certainly suggest reading carefully through those yourself. Check the official Grammy rules and guidelines. 
  
  

Step-by-step Grammy Awards submission guide

The Grammy submission system sounds more mysterious than it actually is. Here’s a clean breakdown of how it works. No gatekeeping, no fluff.

Step-by-step guide to the Online Entry Process (OEP)

• Step 1: Be eligible: Make sure your music was released within the official Grammy window (for 2026, likely August 31, 2024 – Aug 30, 2025). It needs to be available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
  
  
• Step 2: Get access to the OEP: Only Recording Academy members, registered media companies, or approved submitters can log in to the Online Entry Process (OEP) portal. So either:
  • Log in yourself (if you’re a member)
  • Work with someone who can do it on your behalf.
    
    
• Step 3: Upload your entries: Inside the portal, you can:
  • Choose which category your track/album fits into
  • Upload release info, credits, links, etc.
  • Confirm all your metadata is correct
    
    
• Step 4: Submit before the deadline: The portal usually opens in July and stays open for about 2 weeks. For the 2026 Grammys, keep an eye on announcements around July 2025.
  
  
• Step 5: Wait for screening + voting: Once your music is submitted, it goes through a screening process to confirm it fits the category. Then comes first-round voting (by Academy members), and finally, nominations are announced later in the year.
  
  🗣️Submissions don’t guarantee nominations, but they’re the only way to get in the running. No submission = no Grammy nod.
  
  

What happens after you submit your music?

So, you've submitted your track or album to the Grammys. Now what? Here’s what goes down behind the scenes once your entry is in:

• Screening: A committee checks if your entry fits the rules and is in the right category. If not, they move it to a better one.
  
  
• First-round voting: Recording Academy members vote to decide the official Grammy nominees.
  
  
• Nominations announced: Usually around November the list of nominees is announced. fingers crossed your name’s on that list.
  
  
• Final-round voting: Members vote again, but this time only among the nominees to decide the Grammy award winners.
  
  
• The ceremony: If you’re nominated, you’re invited to the main Grammy Award Show event in February– red carpet, the best of the music industry including the brilliant Grammy Nominees from that year along with former and future Grammy Award Winners, the whole deal! So, the general glitz and glam that you would expect at Music Award Shows, but made better with the golden gramophone.
  
   

How to find a member of the Recording Academy?

If you’ve made it to this point in the blog, you are certainly serious about submitting your music to the GRAMMYs. However, if this whole process looks overwhelming to you, or if you’re not a member of the Recording Academy yet, don’t worry. You’re not stuck.
In case you are looking to submit your music to the Grammys for you, look no further.

FAQs

1. How do I become a Recording Academy member?

You can apply online via the Recording Academy’s official site. You’ll need credits on at least six released tracks (as a songwriter, producer, artist, etc.) and endorsements from existing members.

2. How many Grammy categories are there?

There are over 90 categories across genres, from Pop and Hip-Hop to Global Music and Spoken Word. Each category has its own criteria and submission nuances.

3. Can I submit unreleased music for Grammy consideration?

Nope. Only commercially released music that falls within the eligibility window qualifies.

4. How are categories decided for each submission?

Submitters select a category, but a screening committee can move your track if it fits better elsewhere.

5. Do streams or chart performance matter for Grammy submissions?

Not directly. While commercial success helps with visibility, the Recording Academy focuses more on artistic merit, creativity, and production quality.

6. What’s the difference between Grammy Awards and other music awards like MTV or Billboard?

The Grammy Awards are peer-voted by Recording Academy members, focusing on artistic and technical excellence and not sales or popularity charts like many music award shows (e.g., music awards MTV, AMAs). A fun way to put it would be that it makes every Grammy Award Winner be music industry approved in some way.

Our Final Thoughts

The Grammy Awards might seem like a far-off dream, but getting your music in front of the Recording Academy is a real, actionable step, and you can take it now.

It might be your first year submitting, but that’s how most Grammy Award winners have started their journey. You don’t need to be famous to get noticed. You just need to make your mark.

So if you're ready to submit music to the Grammys, know that every great artist started somewhere. If you want in on the next round of Grammy nominees, now’s the time. We can help you submit music to the Grammys the right way, from eligibility to potential nomination.

Grammy submissions aren’t magic. They’re music, paperwork, and persistence. And if you’ve made it this far, you’re already halfway there.

If you’ve got the music, you’ve got the chance. And we are rooting for you!

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!