TLDR: CARAS has officially opened submissions for Canadian artists to enter the 2025 JUNO Awards, with exciting new categories like South Asian Music Recording of the Year and Songwriter of the Year (Non-Performer) available for nominations. There is also a change to the eligibility criteria for both rap categories, so make sure to take note of that if you’re submitting.
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has officially opened submissions for the 2025 JUNO Awards, which will be held in Vancouver, BC from March 27 to March 30. Canadian artists can submit their work between October 15 and November 7, 2024, marking the beginning of another celebrated season for the country’s most prestigious music awards.
The 2025 JUNO Awards bring with them notable changes to both categories and eligibility rules. CARAS has introduced two new categories—Songwriter of the Year (Non-Performer) presented by SOCAN and South Asian Music Recording of the Year. The Songwriter of the Year category will now separate non-performers, celebrating those behind the scenes, while the South Asian category reflects the increasing prominence of the South Asian music scene across Canada.
Other changes include the merging of the Breakthrough Artist and Breakthrough Group categories into one. The International Album of the Year has been removed, while Rap and Indigenous music categories have been updated to better reflect trends in data consumption and audience engagement.
If you’re on the fence about submitting, check out the article “,” by Canadian music executive and industry veteran Kyle Kraft. Submissions are now open at junosubmissions.ca and must adhere to the eligibility period of September 1, 2023, to November 1, 2024. All nominees will be revealed prior to the event, which will broadcast live on CBC.
The 54th Annual JUNO Awards promise to celebrate the finest talent across the Canadian music landscape, making it a night to remember.
