Catholic Media Awards
The Catholic Media Awards honor outstanding achievements in Catholic journalism, communications, and other forms of media.
Catholic Media Awards — 2026 Program
Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Catholic Media Awards. Details for planning your entries are below.
The Catholic Media Awards honor outstanding achievements in Catholic journalism, communications and other forms of digital media. This annual competition encourages media professionals to continually strive for the highest standards of faith-centered storytelling and communications, promoting a culture of excellence in media that serves the Church in its mission to spread truth and hope.
About the 2026 Awards Program
The Catholic Media Awards accepts work completed by its members in the previous calendar year. Awards are presented at the Catholic Media Conference, published in the prestigious Annual Awards edition of The Catholic Journalist, displayed on the CMA website, and shared on social media.
Divisions & Category Listings
This awards program has five divisions to reflect the varied work of its members; each division’s packet specifies eligibility requirements, submission instructions, and a full category list:
Newspapers
For print or digital work that is published in a member newspaper.
Newspapers Awards CategoriesMagazines & Print Newsletters
For work published in a member magazine or printed newsletter.
Magazines & Print Newsletters Awards CategoriesCommunications
For Organizational Communications members to submit work that is separate from any work that appears in a publication.
Communications Awards CategoriesSpanish Language
For content created for a Spanish-language member publication.
Spanish-language Awards CategoriesImportant Information
Dates
- Open Submission Period: Nov. 3 - Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT
- Extension Period: Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT
- Payment deadline: Feb. 10, 2026
Entry Fees
- Open Submission Period: $38.00 per entry
- Extension Period: $48.00 per entry
Free Entry
- One free entry per CMA member publication / organization or freelancer when submitted by 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Judging
Entries are evaluated by professionals knowledgeable about Catholic media, including faculty from prominent Catholic journalism schools. Our judges bring a wealth of experience in various media, ensuring a fair and informed evaluation of each entry, and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity throughout the evaluation process.
New to the submission process?
- Watch a video for instructions on how to submit an entry.
- Click here for a PDF of the submission instructions.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Questions?
Email Sarah Gronemus: Awards@CatholicMediaAssociation.org