2026 National Magazine Awards
The National Media Awards Foundation jury is now evaluating entries for the 2026 National Magazine Awards. Thank you to everyone who entered work this year.Â
There are three special categories that are still accepting entries:
- Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement, recognizing an individual’s innovation and creativity through contributions to the Canadian magazine industry.
- Best Branded Content Collaboration, recognizing collaborative storytelling created with a brand, agency, or client.
- Best Integrated Branded Campaign, celebrating multi-platform branded initiatives spanning at least two channels within a magazine’s ecosystem.
The deadline to submit to the special categories is February 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Entries should be emailed to staff@magazine-awards.com. Incomplete submissions will be disqualified.
Submissions are open to Canadian print and digital magazines, and to Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents (landed immigrants) whose work appeared in eligible publications during the 2025 calendar year.
Full category details and submission requirements for the special categories are available on the Categories page.
Deadlines
- Special Categories Final Submission Deadline: February 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.Â
Digital Publishing Awards
If your content does not fit the National Magazine Awards, consider submitting to the Digital Publishing Awards, which recognize digital storytelling across numerous formats.Â
Submissions are currently open for two categories:
- Digital Publishing Leadership Award, recognizing an individual whose career contributions to Canadian digital publishing deserve recognition and celebration.
- General Excellence in Digital Publishing: Small, Medium, and Large Publications, recognizing the publications that most successfully fulfill their editorial mandate, represent the highest journalistic standards, and effectively serve their intended audience.
National Magazine Awards: B2B
For trade, professional, or alumni-association publications, explore the National Magazine Awards: B2B, which celebrates excellence in trade publishing.
Submissions are currently open for two categories:
- Best Branded Content Collaboration — B2B, recognizing outstanding branded content created with or by a B2B publication or content studio.
- B2B Leadership Award, recognizing outstanding career achievement, contributions to the industry, and overall leadership of a member of the Canadian B2B media industry.
Acknowledgements
The National Media Awards Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada, the Ontario Arts Council, and Ontario Creates.
Introducing J-Launchpad: Building Careers in Journalism and Media
The National Media Awards Foundation is proud to launch J-Launchpad, a career hub for the next generation of Canadian media professionals.
J-Launchpad brings together internships that provide hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities (details coming in 2026), and job listings curated from across the industry and updated regularly. It also includes the Editorial Skills Lab, offering practical training to help emerging professionals strengthen their editing and storytelling skills.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take the next step, J-Launchpad is designed to help you gain experience, build connections, and find meaningful work in Canadian journalism and media.
🔗 Explore J-Launchpad
Support Us
As a charitable organization, the National Media Awards Foundation is dedicated to acknowledging, fostering, and championing excellence in Canadian print and digital content creation. The Foundation produces three distinct, bilingual award programs: the National Magazine Awards, the Digital Publishing Awards, and the National Magazine Awards: B2B.
You can help support our important work by donating today through Canada Helps. Donations have a direct impact on our ability to serve the magazine publishing sector through award programs and professional development activities. You’ll receive a tax receipt for any donation of $25 or more. Thank you for your support!