Catholic Media Awards
The Catholic Media Awards honor outstanding achievements in Catholic journalism, communication and digital media.
2027 Awards Program
Thank you for your interest in the 2027 Catholic Media Awards. Details for planning your entries will be available on October 15, 2026.
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.
The Catholic Media Awards accept work completed by CMA 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.
2026-2027 Competition Schedule
All Catholic Media Association awards programs operate on a single synchronized submission timeline:
- Submissions openNovember 2, 2026
- Regular deadlineJanuary 31, 202711:59 p.m. CT
- Late extensionFebruary 1 to 7, 202711:59 p.m. CT. Late fees apply.
- Final payment deadlineFebruary 12, 2027
- Awards presentationJuly 16, 2027Catholic Media Conference, The Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Divisions and Categories
This awards program has five divisions. The All Member division is open to every eligible member type, while the other four are for specific types of members and work. Each division's packet specifies eligibility requirements, submission instructions and a full category list.
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All Member Categories
All Member
Open to every CMA organizational member type and freelance members, with categories for individual excellence, advertising, video, podcasts, social media and websites.
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Newspapers Categories
Newspapers and Digital-only Publications
For Organizational Media: Newspapers and Digital-only Publications members and their freelance contributors, covering writing, design and photography published in print or online.
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Magazines & Newsletters Categories
Magazines & Print Newsletters
For Organizational Media: Magazines & Print Newsletters members and their freelance contributors, covering writing, design and photography from their magazines and print newsletters, in print or online.
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Communications Categories
Communications
For Organizational Communications members, covering appeals, pastoral messages, campaigns, annual reports, press releases and interviews produced outside a member publication.
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Spanish Language Categories
Spanish Language
For Spanish-language member newspapers and magazines and their freelance contributors, covering writing, design and photography published in print or online.
Entry Details
Entry Fees
- $38 per entryOpen submission period, November 2, 2026 to January 31, 2027
- $48 per entryExtension period, February 1 to 7, 2027
Free Entry
One free entry per CMA member publication, organization or freelancer when submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on January 31, 2027.
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?
Results and Past Winners
2026 Catholic Media Awards
See this year's winning entries, or browse the official archive of Catholic Media Association award winners dating back to 2013.