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Rules and Eligibility

Before You Submit

Please review this page before starting your submission. If you have questions, please email the Awards team at awards@catholicmediaassociation.org.

General Eligibility

The Catholic Media Awards is a recognition program for Catholic Media Association members. The following eligibility requirements apply:

Membership requirement: Entries must be from a Member Organization or Freelance Member in good standing. Member dues must be paid by March 31, 2027 to be eligible for an award. No refunds are offered after judging.

  • Entries must be the original work of a Member Organization or Freelance Member. Include bylines/credits on all submissions. Plagiarized or incorrectly credited entries are grounds for disqualification.
  • Member Organizations may submit the work of any employee or Freelance Member. The author/creator need not be a Staff Member or Freelance Member.
  • Freelance Members may enter all categories. Your work must appear in the print edition of, on the website of or in promotion of a Member Organization.
  • To avoid duplicate entries, we ask Freelance Members to consult with the Member Organization that printed the material before submitting it. Please confirm that the Member Organization is not submitting the same work in the same category as you.
  • All entries are for work published in 2026.
  • Unless otherwise specified, entries must be the work of someone on the staff of, or a freelance contributor to, a CMA member organization.

Key Dates

All Catholic Media Association awards programs operate on a single synchronized submission timeline:

  1. Submissions openNovember 2, 2026
  2. Regular deadlineJanuary 31, 202711:59 p.m. CT
  3. Late extensionFebruary 1 to 7, 202711:59 p.m. CT. Late fees apply.
  4. Final payment deadlineFebruary 12, 2027
  5. Awards presentationJuly 16, 2027Catholic Media Conference, The Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Fees, Free Entry and Judging

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

Each CMA Member Organization or Freelance Member is eligible for one free entry per year, when submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on January 31, 2027.

  • There are no free entries available during the extension period.
  • If your organization also has a publication/communication office that is a CMA member, please determine which one will redeem the free entry.
  • If someone else on your staff has already used the free entry prior to you using it, you will be invoiced for the difference once the program closes in February.

Judging

Entries are judged by selected 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.

Reasons for Elimination or Disqualification

Fewer than two submissions per category

Every category requires at least two submissions, by different entrants, to qualify for evaluation. Under this scenario we will refund your entry fee, if this was not your free entry.

Entry does not meet submission requirements

Entries must be submitted properly and include all required components to be evaluated by the judges. Please check the category descriptions to make sure your entries are correct.

Getting Started

Submitting your entries

Submit all entries through the CMA awards website beginning November 2, 2026. The website allows you to view categories, make submissions and pay in the same place.

  • Hard copies are no longer required for print submissions. You will simply upload a PDF of the work to the submission form.
  • To save time, you may duplicate your submission form. Once the entry is duplicated it copies all information. Then you only need to select a new category and make sure all files needed are appropriately updated.

If you are a first-time submitter, please use the link below to learn more about getting your profile account set up and operational.

Getting Started With Your Submissions

Questions?

Email awards@catholicmediaassociation.org or call (312) 380-6789.

Catholic Media Association
Attn: Awards Program
10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 875
Chicago, IL 60606