SAMPLEDHow Does the Grammy Submission and Voting Process Work?
From eligibility windows to first-round and final-round voting, here is how a recording becomes a Grammy nominee, who can submit, and the 2027 dates and new categories.
The Grammy process runs on the same steps every year: eligibility, entry, screening, two voting rounds, and the show. Here is how it works, with the dates for the 2027 Grammys from the Recording Academy (opens in a new tab).
Step 1: Was the music released in the eligibility window?
Recordings must be released within a set period. For the 2027 Grammys, that was Aug. 31, 2025, to Aug. 28, 2026. They must be commercially available through general distribution or as otherwise defined in the rulebook.
Step 2: Who can submit?
Only Recording Academy members (Voting and Professional) and registered Media Companies can submit, per the Grammy submission guide (opens in a new tab). Media companies, which include labels and distributors, must register first: June 25 to Aug. 14, 2026, for this cycle.
Step 3: The Online Entry Process
Entries are filed during the Online Entry Process (OEP). For 2027 it ran July 7 to Aug. 21, 2026. The Academy can receive more than 20,000 entries in a season.
Step 4: Screening
Each entry is manually vetted by Academy staff for eligibility, and screening committees check that it is in the right category. For best new artist, committees also judge whether the artist already had a "high degree of impact" before the eligibility year. See Who Is Eligible for Best New Artist at the 2027 Grammys?
Photo: Ezra Jeffrey via Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Step 5: First Round Voting
Voting Members choose nominees. For 2027 this ran Oct. 12 to Oct. 22, 2026, determining nominees across the 100 categories, with nominees announced Nov. 16, 2026.
Step 6: Final Round Voting and the show
Final Round Voting (Dec. 10, 2026, to Jan. 7, 2027) picks winners. The 69th Grammy Awards air Feb. 7, 2027, on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu.
What changed for 2027?
The Academy added five categories (opens in a new tab), including Best Asian Pop Music Performance (K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and more), Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Traditional Folk Album. The limit on best new artist entries rose from three to four.
How can an independent artist get considered?
- Release within the eligibility window with proper distribution.
- Ask your distributor or label whether it is a registered Media Company, or become a Recording Academy member if you qualify.
- Submit in the right category during the OEP.
- Keep accurate credits. Producers, engineers and songwriters can be nominees too.
FAQ
Can fans vote? No, only Recording Academy Voting Members.
Can I submit directly as a nobody? You need membership or a registered Media Company.
Is the cycle always the same? The steps are; dates change each year. Check grammy.com.