Awards Process

Awards are retrospective (awarded in one year for work/artistic output in the preceding year). For the 2025 awards, applications will be accepted from Nov. 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. Other key dates are outlined below.

1. Applications for awards (recognizing 2025 work: Nov 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026)
   • All professional members of the Academy are eligible to apply.
   • Applications will be submitted online, and will include all relevant information for consideration, such as publication information for a book; video footage, photographs, music, and testimonials for male/female vocalist & duo/group awards; audio files for song and recording of the year; photographs of artworks, saddles, and other items; etc.
   • There is no application fee for an award.
2. Nominations for awards (for 2025 work: April 1-30, 2026)
   • Each Academy member (professional, associate, and fan) can nominate one of the award applicants in each category. Academy members may review the relevant information provided by the applicant before nominating.
   • All nominations will be submitted online.
3. Voting by peers (for 2025 work: May 1-31, 2026)
   • Current professional members of the Academy will vote on all awards in their own category, with one vote per award.
   • Voting will take place via online login.
   • Voters will have access to all information submitted for consideration.
   • We reserve the right to withhold an award in any category where the quality or number of entries does not meet the Academy's standards.
   • Three finalists for each award will be announced.
4. Winners for 2024 will be chosen from the three finalists by a panel of expert judges and announced at the award shows in Fort Worth on December 2.
   Winners for 2025 will be chosen from the three finalists by a panel of expert judges and announced at the AWA award shows (fall, 2026).