The almost 8,000 present members of Grammy U will have the ability to submit recordings throughout the upcoming On-line Entry Course of (OEP) interval for the 2026 Grammy Awards. It’s the primary time that Grammy U members have been allowed to enter recordings, although they nonetheless received’t be eligible to vote.
“We’re thrilled to supply this chance to our members for the primary time ever in Grammy U’s almost 20-year historical past,” mentioned Jessie Allen, Grammy U’s managing director. “We’ve got so many extremely proficient members from all completely different backgrounds, fields and genres, and this particular alternative is not going to solely give them firsthand expertise with the Grammy Awards course of, but additionally a coveted probability to be listened to, nominated and perhaps even voted to win a Grammy Award by music’s greatest and most certified creators. I can’t think about a greater solution to kick off Grammy U’s upcoming twentieth anniversary.
Grammy U members can submit any recordings, however the academy encourages them to make use of this chance to submit their very own recordings.
Whereas the identical OEP eligibility necessities will apply to Grammy U members’ submissions as for Recording Academy voting {and professional} members and registered media firms, there might be a shorter window for submissions, a $20 charge per entry and a most of 5 entries per member.
Voting {and professional} members are allowed 5 “courtesy entries,” after which they have to pay a charge per entry, which climbs because the weeks go by. Early entry pricing (July 16-Aug. 1) is $40 per entry; customary pricing (Aug. 2-22) is $75; and closing deadline pricing (Aug. 23-29) is $125. Grammy U members don’t obtain any free of charge entries.
Grammy U member entries have to be submitted between July 16 and July 30. Against this, the entry interval for voting {and professional} members runs from July 16 to Aug. 29.
“Because the entry interval progresses, so does the each day variety of entries the awards crew processes,” says an academy spokesperson, by means of explaining the completely different submission interval. “A devoted two-week window for Grammy U submissions firstly of the entry interval permits for the awards crew to offer some additional consideration and assist to those first-time submitters.”
Grammy U members pay a charge of $50 for 4 years of membership. After these 4 years, the renewal charge is $50 yearly, if the particular person continues to be eligible. (They meet that check if they’re a full-time scholar of any age or are between 18-29 and actively pursuing a profession in music.)
Against this, voting {and professional} members pay an annual charge of $150. Media firms pay an annual charge of $180 to register with the academy.
The Recording Academy hasn’t determined if this might be a everlasting change or only a one-time alternative for Grammy U members. “This chance for Grammy U members to submit product is one thing we’re very excited to implement for this yr,” mentioned a spokesperson. “We’re taking it one step at a time and are trying ahead to assessing the way it goes for future years.”
Notable Grammy U alumni embrace three Grammy winners: Scott Hoying (Pentatonix), producer/engineer Sarah Tudzin and classical conductor Michael Repper, in addition to Grammy-nominated gospel singer Elyse Victoria Johnson and singer/songwriter Leland.
Grammy U members have particularly curated programming and alternatives year-round, geared towards rising artists and music professionals.
In April, Grammy U hosted its second New York Convention, which included a collection of panels and industry-focused networking and profession improvement alternatives for Grammy U members. The occasion featured Grammy winners Coco Jones and Laufey as keynote audio system, and closed with an unique artist showcase headlined by Grammy winner Samara Joy.
In 2024, Grammy U applied greater than 100 nationwide and chapter applications nationwide for Grammy U members. Applications included a Masterclass with Halle Bailey throughout Grammy Week; a New York convention with Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Remi Wolf and Beanie Feldstein; a Fall Summit with Charli XCX and Troye Sivan; and greater than 50 Grammy U Soundchecks – the place members get behind-the-scenes seems to be into how artists put together for excursions and concert events – with artists equivalent to Pleasure, Laufey, Gracie Abrams, Kacey Musgraves, Twenty One Pilots, Will Smith and Younger Miko.
Moreover, Grammy U facilitates a mentorship program that connects the rising music group with {industry} gamers. In 2024, Grammy U facilitated greater than 950 mentorship pairs, with 25 worldwide individuals in international locations together with Brazil, Canada, India, Nigeria, Romania and the U.Ok.
Learn extra about Grammy U member advantages here.