Entry Criteria 2026

Please read criteria carefully to ensure you qualify

Submissions Open TUESDAY 21st July - Monday 3rd August

 

The NI Music Prize aims to celebrate outstanding original music created by Northern Ireland artists. By submitting or nominating, you confirm that, to the best of your knowledge, the entry meets the eligibility criteria below.

A) Eligible singles and albums must have been released between 1st July 2025 - 30th June 2026 and can be submitted by bands, artists, management and/or fans.

B) The Live Act category is open for public nominations only. You must have seen a live act you are nominating between 1st July 2025 - 30th June 2026. Nominations should be based on a specific live performance that you witnessed during the eligibility period. 

  • You must detail which gig it was and where - so for example you saw X headline/support at the x venue/festival in insert date or month

  • We will not accept entries for cover bands or acts that do regular cover nights in pubs.

  • We will not accept club DJ nominations, but EDM/producer/live electronic acts with original live shows do qualify.

  • We are seeking original live music and the act you nominate should be gigging or touring original music.

  • Private events, weddings, corporate functions, showcase auditions and invitation-only industry performances are not eligible unless they formed part of a publicly promoted festival or ticketed programme.

  • The nominated performance must have been a publicly promoted live show featuring original music, taking place at a recognised music venue or as part of a festival programme during the eligibility period.

  • If a band covers a song as part of their set, that is fine, but the band/act you are nominating must be gigging original music.


C) Albums/Singles must consist of previously unreleased material. Album/Single reissues, multi-artist compilations, ‘Best Of’ collections, EPs and live albums (largely featuring previously released material) are ineligible. Albums must be clearly released or marked as albums and not EPs, and must consist of six or more tracks and/or a runtime of at least 30 minutes. All genres of music are eligible for the NI Music Prize.

D) All entries must primarily consist of original music. Albums and singles that are predominantly covers, tribute recordings or karaoke-style recordings are not eligible.

E) Entries must represent original artistic work by the artist(s). Music created entirely through automated or AI-generated processes without significant original creative authorship may be deemed ineligible at the organisers' discretion.

F) We can only accept one Album from the same act for submission. Where multiple eligible singles have been released during the qualifying period, the artist must nominate the single they believe best represents their work.

An album must have had a digital release and have been made available for purchase in Northern Ireland by the general public for the first time during the qualifying period through any of the following outlets: any high street music retailer, digital retailer, record label or artist website (including Bandcamp, social media etc.) We cannot accept physical-only releases; a digital online version must be available.

Fa) We can only accept one Single from the same act for submission. Where multiple eligible singles have been released during the qualifying period, the artist must nominate the single they believe best represents their work.

A single must have had a digital release and have been made available for purchase in Northern Ireland by the general public for the first time during the qualifying period through any of the following outlets: any high street music retailer; digital retailer, record label or artist website (including Bandcamp, social media etc.) We cannot accept physical only releases; a digital online version must be available.

G) The qualifying release date is the first public commercial digital release date. Earlier private, promotional or limited-access releases will not be considered the official release date.

H) If more than one album, single by the same artist is submitted for consideration by different people, the artist’s first preference will be the one that will be put forward for consideration.

I) For an entry to be eligible, you must provide a link to demonstrate its official release as an album or single. This can include a link to press coverage, a website, social media announcement, press announcement, or online review. Further details are provided on the entry form.

J) For the purposes of this award, albums/singles will be deemed to have been recorded by a “Northern Irish Artist” when: the artist was born in Northern Ireland; at least 50% of the band’s core members were born in NI (session musicians will not be considered); an artist or band, irrespective of nationality, has made their creative base in NI for the past two years. If you were born in NI but no longer reside in NI you are still eligible.

K) Oh Yeah Music Centre reserves the right to request further information or evidence to verify eligibility, release dates, residency, or any other aspect of an entry.

L) Eligibility relating to Northern Ireland residency or creative base will be determined by the organisers where circumstances are unclear.

M) The organisers reserve the right to reject or remove any entry that does not meet the eligibility criteria or where misleading or inaccurate information has been provided.

N) Artists may withdraw an entry from consideration by contacting the organisers before the close of Academy voting.

O) The decisions of the NI Music Prize organisers, Academy and judging panels are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding eligibility or judging decisions.

 

Any queries can be sent via the contact form, or by emailing info@nimusicprize.com