FAQs

Answers to common questions about the 2027 National Magazine Awards. For detailed requirements, consult the categories, rules and eligibility and dates and fees.

Planning your entry

What are the key dates?

• Entries open: December 1, 2026.
• Early-bird deadline: January 11, 2027.
• Final submission deadline: January 18, 2027.
• Optional hard copies due: January 25, 2027.
• Payment deadline: March 1, 2027.
• Outstanding Achievement nominations: March 1, 2027.

What work is eligible?

The 2027 awards recognize eligible work published in 2026. Print eligibility is determined by the issue date; digital-only work must first have appeared during the eligible calendar year. Special rules apply to issues spanning two years. Review the complete eligibility rules before entering.

Do all contributors have to be Canadian?

Every creator receiving a cash prize must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, with that status held when the work appeared. Other contributors may be non-Canadian. Publications must meet the program’s Canadian magazine eligibility requirements.

What qualifies as a magazine?

A print or digital publication must self-identify as a magazine, have permanent editorial staff in Canada, publish in English, French or both, have a clear editorial mandate and be the product of an editorial process. The judges may determine whether a publication qualifies.

Which category should I choose?

Review each category definition and submission requirements. Work may be entered in more than one category unless a restriction applies; each entry has a separate fee. Fiction cannot be entered in other categories. A magazine may enter no more than two of the four Best Magazine categories. Entries that do not fit a category may be disqualified.

Can I submit work published online?

Yes, eligible work published by a Canadian magazine may be submitted whether it appeared in print or online. Follow the PDF and other requirements for the selected category. For awards specifically recognizing digital publishing, consult the Digital Publishing Awards.

Can I enter an entire issue?

Most writing categories accept individual articles. An issue comprising a single article may be considered if it meets the category definition. Best Editorial Package accepts a collection of articles on a related theme in one issue; an entire issue may qualify when it is one editorial package. The judges determine eligibility.

Do I need to mail hard copies?

Hard copies are optional for the categories identified on the categories page. If you send them, follow the quantity and mailing instructions there and ensure they arrive by January 25, 2027. Required digital files must still accompany your submission.

Where can a freelancer find the publication’s editorial mandate?

Look on the publication’s website or ask an editor. If you no longer have an editorial contact, email staff@magazine-awards.com for guidance.

Fees and support

How much does it cost?

Writing and Visual entries cost $115 at the early-bird rate or $125 at the regular rate. Editorial and Best Magazine entries cost $130 or $150 respectively. HST is additional. See dates and fees for payment instructions and special-award information.

Can freelancers enter their own work at a reduced rate?

Yes. The Freelancer Support Fund applies to eligible independent creators submitting their own work in cash-prize Writing and Visual categories.

Select the option matching your total number of entries; the options cannot be combined. The discount applies only to the first two entries. Additional entries are charged at the regular submission rate. Review the fund’s full eligibility and application instructions.

Is there support for small magazines?

The Small Magazine Rebate is for eligible publications with annual revenue of $200,000 or less. It covers one early-bird entry fee on the first two entries. If you enter at the regular rate, the rebate is still calculated at the early-bird rate. Funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

What if a freelancer and a magazine submit the same work in the same category?

We will contact you to see whether one entry should move to another category. If neither party wishes to move the entry, we will refund the freelancer’s submission fee.

Where do entry fees go?

The National Media Awards Foundation is a registered Canadian charity. Entry fees support prize money, submission administration and the judging process.

Judging and recognition

Who judges the awards?

Volunteer professionals with relevant editorial, visual and industry expertise evaluate the entries. Jury composition, language representation, scoring and deliberation procedures are set out in the Judging Process. Judges do not see who submitted an entry, such as an editor or freelancer.

What do judges look for?

Judges use the criteria for each category, including quality, creativity, content and impact where applicable, and consider the publication’s editorial mandate and intended audience. Read the criteria in the category descriptions.

What happens in a small category?

For categories with fewer than 15 entries, the Foundation may limit the finalists to five and present only Gold. A category may be cancelled if there is insufficient competition or no entry of sufficient quality; fees are refunded if the category is cancelled. See the rules and judging procedures.

Who receives the cash prize? What happens if Gold is tied?

Gold in cash-prize categories carries a $1,000 prize for the eligible creator or creators, not the publication. Where multiple eligible creators share one winning entry, its prize is divided equally among them. If separate entries tie for Gold, each winning entry receives $1,000.

How are Editor of the Year and Publisher of the Year recognized?

Each award recognizes one Gold winner and three Honourable Mentions. No Silver award is presented.

Where can I find past winners?

Explore the 2026 winners and the historical awards archive.

Still have a question?

Email staff@magazine-awards.com.