Submission Deadline Extended for the International Women’s Podcast Awards

The International Women’s Podcast Awards (IWPAs), presented by Tink Media, has extended the submission deadline until August 14, 2026, giving creators a little more breathing room to submit their work. By acknowledging that indies, freelancers, and small teams are often making the best stuff wearing twelve hats each, the IWPAs ensure that great work doesn’t miss out just because of time.

This means all 11 categories remain open for submissions and creators can share up to 10 minutes of audio that best reflects the moments of their show, their mission, and their talent.

This year also includes a new category for “Moment of Artistry in Advertising” that recognizes podcast ads from paid sponsors and also cross promotions, like promo swaps and feed swaps.

“We get it…small teams are working under impossible deadlines (and production schedules, childcare, being a person/partner/friend…) and submitting to an award could end up last on the priority list, ” said Lauren Passell, Tink’s founder.

“If that sounds like you, here’s your message from the universe: it’s OK and we still want to hear your best stuff.”

The 2026 International Women’s Podcast Awards are being presented by a new team, with new branding, a new location, and all the same love of the art of podcasting. With Tink stepping in as this year’s host, the event will expand its reach and visibility while staying true to its founding purpose of championing international women creators in audio both behind the mic and behind the scenes, from podcast hosts and producers, to editors and writers.

The IWPAs have become a cornerstone event celebrating the creativity, innovation, and impact of women in podcasting across genres and geographies. Proudly queer and trans inclusive, the IWPAs showcase creative excellence across multiple categories, recognizing the best in the business from around the world, from those who are self-taught and producing shows solo, to those who form part of larger teams at established audio companies.

• All categories are open to shows from any genre or style (fiction, non-fiction, narrative, interview, panel discussion, investigative, etc.).
• Submissions can come from independently produced shows, solo podcasts, large-scale productions, and everything in between — every submission is treated equally.
• The IWPAs are queer and trans inclusive, allowing submissions from any creators who feel represented by the awards.
• With each entry you can submit up to 10 minutes of audio that you feel best fits that category and will impress our panel of judges.
• The audio you enter must have been released to the public between June 10th, 2025 and July 31st, 2026.
• Entries to the IWPAs are $50 each, inclusive of all platform and processing fees.

This year’s IWPAs are being supported by CBC, RSS.com, Lower Street, True Native Media, Podchaser, and Women in Media, who recognize the value of celebrating and platforming the work of underrepresented creatives in the podcast industry. With their support, the awards are able to offer initiatives like the IWPA Scholarship Program, a tradition started in years past.

The IWPA Scholarship Program helps underfunded, marginalized independent creators submit to the awards when they may have financial constraints that make applying a difficult decision to make. The IWPA Scholarship Program is available for covering entry fees to the awards, as well as tickets to attend the event in person in Toronto, for anyone worldwide who would not otherwise be able to participate. Scholarship codes will be given out on a rolling basis through the end of the awards submission period or until the scholarship cap has been reached. Those interested in applying for scholarship entry to the IWPAs can learn more and apply on the Tink website at tinkmedia.co/awards#scholarships.

You can submit your podcast to this year’s IWPAs on the IWPA website or write in to awards@tinkmedia.co for any queries.