International Songwriting Competition 2026: Extended Deadline Is November 23

What it is: ISC is an annual song competition judged by music-industry professionals, including record label executives and artists. For the 2026 cycle, ISC says 74 winners will share more than $175,000 in cash and prizes, including a $25,000 cash Grand Prize.

Who it’s for: Amateur and professional songwriters of any nationality. Only original songs are accepted. Entrants under 18 need a parent or guardian’s signature. Songs created entirely by AI without significant human authorship are not eligible, and AI use must be disclosed.

How it works: Enter through ISC Online by uploading an MP3 or sharing a streaming link; a mail-in form is also available. The extended deadline is November 23, 2026, at $35 per entry. Each song in each category counts as one entry, so one song entered in two categories costs $70.

Worth knowing: Songs are judged on melody, composition, originality and, where relevant, lyrics. The Unsigned and Unpublished categories carry extra eligibility rules and must be paired with at least one other category. ISC expects to announce semi-finalists and finalists in February or March 2027 and winners in April or May 2027.

Official sources: ISC Online entry · Official rules, deadlines and fees

EV checked the official call on October 13, 2026. Apply directly to the organizer using the application panel. Featured image is illustrative, from EV’s Opportunities collection.