The AWM Foundation is accepting entries for the 51st Annual Gracie Awards. For more than five decades, these awards have celebrated outstanding programming by, for, and about women — while funding scholarships and programs that support the next generation of women in media.
“Each year, the Gracies spotlight extraordinary talent who are shaping the future of media,” said Becky Brooks, President of AWMF. “For more than five decades, these awards have honored powerful storytelling and representation while fueling the Foundation’s ability to invest in scholarships and programs that empower the next generation of women in our industry. As we open entries for the 51st Gracie Awards, we look forward to celebrating work that inspires audiences today and opens doors for tomorrow.”
The Gracie Awards will again shine a spotlight on exceptional talent across various media
categories, including television, streaming, radio and podcasting, from writers, journalists and actors to producers, directors and showrunners. Entries are invited from individuals, networks, and organizations, showcasing their dedication to advancing the portrayal and representation of women’s voices in media content.
National winners will be honored at the Gracies Gala on May 19, 2026, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.; local and student winners will be celebrated at the Gracies Luncheon on June 16, 2026, at Cipriani on 42nd Street in the City of New York.
Taking on the critical roles of co-chairs again for the 2026 Gracie Awards are Heather Cohen, President at The Weiss Agency; Annie Howell, Chief Communications Officer at Hallmark Media; and Mike McVay, President of McVay Media Consulting.
Key Information for Submissions:
- Eligibility Air Dates Period: January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025
- Early Bird Submission Deadline: December 11, 2025
- Deadline for All Entries: January 22, 2026
Submission Guidelines including updated Categories:
https://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/call-for-entries/
New Categories:
The 2026 Call for Entries includes several new and updated categories to better reflect today’s media landscape:
New Categories
Audio Podcast Host – Lifestyle (Digital Media)
Audio Podcast Host – Educational (Digital Media)
Audio Podcast Host – Sports (Digital Media)
Video Podcast (Digital Media)
Video Podcast Host/Co-Host (Digital Media)
Competition Series (Television National) – for competitive reality programming
Documentary – News/Investigative/Historical (Television Local)
Documentary – Sports (Television Local)
Updated Categories
Substack/E-Newsletter/Blog (Digital Media) – now accepts Substack content
Unscripted/Reality (Television National) – formerly Non-Fiction Entertainment; for non-
competition reality programming
NCTA – The Internet and Television Association, in partnership with the AWM Foundation, is
offering scholarships to cover the cost of a Gracie Awards entry for content creators. Scholarships are available to students and professionals.
