AWM Foundation Announces Call for Entries for 51st Annual Gracie Awards
The Gracie Awards, presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF), is proud to open the call for entries for the 51st Annual Gracie Awards.
“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 once 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 in Beverly Hills, California and local and student winners will be celebrated at the Gracies Luncheon on June 16, 2026, at Cipriani on 42nd Street in 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
All information related to the Call for Entries including entry descriptions and full list of categories can be found here: Call For Entries —
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.
Please join us in celebrating more than 50 years of advancing women in media by supporting the AWM Foundation. Whether through sponsorship, participation, or promotion, you and your company can help shape the future of media and storytelling. Contact becky.brooks@allwomeninmedia.org for ways to impact women in media.
About the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF): In 1960, the Alliance for Women in Media became the first professional broadcasting organization to establish an educational foundation. The AWMF supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities and scholarships to benefit the public and media industry. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including the Gracie Awards®, honoring exemplary programming created by, for or about women and individual achievement. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, educational organization. For the latest news on the Gracies, follow The Gracies on Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Facebook. For more information visit www.allwomeninmedia.org/gracies.
About The Gracie Awards: The Gracie Awards is the largest fundraiser of the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation which advances women in media through educational programs and scholarships. The Gracie Awards honors exemplary programming and individual talent created by, for and about women. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has created partnerships and joint initiatives with the Emma Bowen Foundation, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), NCTA – The Cable and Telecommunications Association and other organizations that are philosophically aligned with the mission of the Foundation. For more information about The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation and the Gracie Awards please visit allwomeninmedia.org. For the latest news on the Gracies, follow The Gracies on Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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Media Contact:
Jenny Rayyan
859.514.3008
jennyrayyan@allwomeninmedia.org