, Senior Director of Awards for the Recording Academy. “The Online Entry Process marks the first step in the Grammy Awards process, and we look forward to having these emerging music creators and professionals participate by submitting their own product for the very first time.”

One of several major developments to debut at the 2026 Grammys, this update marks a historic moment for Grammy U. The change follows Grammy U’s membership expansion in 2023, which saw the Recording Academy open its eligibility to allow all individuals ages 18-29 who are actively taking an alternate path toward a career in music to apply for Grammy U membership.

While the same OEP requirements will apply to Grammy U members’ submissions as Recording Academy voting and professional members and registered media companies, there will be a shorter window for submissions. There will also be a $20 fee per entry and a maximum of five entries per member. Voting and professional members are allowed five “courtesy entries,” after which they must pay a fee per entry. Grammy U members do not receive any gratis entries.

To help guide Grammy U members through the submission process, the Recording Academy has put together a quick guide on the Grammy website, covering essential information like key dates and deadlines. The Recording Academy’s Awards team is also hosting a special webinar on Tuesday, June 24 at noon PT to help Grammy U members navigate the submission process. Grammy U members can also visit the Grammy U OEP resource hub for helpful videos and tips on the process.

The expansion of Grammy U is a reflection of the Recording Academy’s ongoing mission to diversify its membership and commitment to evolving with the changing musical landscape. Currently, Grammy U has nearly 8,000 members, representing over 500 schools in more than 50 countries. Grammy U also facilitated more than 950 mentorship pairs in its 2024-2025 Mentorship Program, including 25 internationally.