Overview

The SOCAN Polaris Song Prize honours the Canadian Song of the Year, judged solely on artistic merit—not genre, sales, or popularity.

Launched in Polaris’ 20th season in partnership with SOCAN, the Song Prize awards $10,000 to the winning work, split between the song’s Canadian performers and the credited Canadian songwriter(s). The winner is revealed at the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony each September in Toronto.

Current winner (2025): Mustafa — “Gaza Is Calling.”

Key points:

• Scope: Canadian Song of the Year
• Cash prize: $10,000 to the winning work (shared by Canadian performers and credited Canadian songwriter(s), courtesy of SOCAN)
• Judging: Independent Canada-wide jury of 200+ music experts
• Annual reveals: Song Long List (20 nominees, June) → Song Short List (5 nominees, July) → Winner (1, September)
• Where crowned: Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony, Toronto
• Why it matters: National visibility for songs and songwriters; artist-first recognition based on artistic merit

Quick actions:
Donate  ·   Submit your song   ·   Concert & Award Ceremony   ·   Subscribe

Jump to:   How it works   ·  Eligibility   ·  Timeline   ·  This year’s nominees   ·  FAQs ·  Get involved

How it works

1. Listening & recommendations — A Canada-wide, independent jury listens broadly across releases and Music Submissions entries, sharing recommendations in a closed forum.
2. Song Long List vote (June) — Jurors submit ballots; the top 20 nominated songs (and their performing artists) form the Song Long List.
3. Song Short List vote (July) — Jurors vote again from the Long List; the top 5 nominated songs (and their performing artists) form the Song Short List.
4. Winner (September) — From the Short List, the jury votes to determine the Song of the Year. (No Grand Jury is used for the Song Prize.)
5. Conflict-of-interest standards — Jurors disclose conflicts and cannot advocate or vote for directly represented artists.

Read the Official Rules

Eligibility (snapshot)

• Artistic merit only: No regard for genre, sales history, or affiliation.
• Release window (current cycle): For #Polaris2026, songs must be released April 1, 2025 – May 1, 2026. (Always confirm the current season in the Official Rules.)
• Song length: 19:59 or shorter.
• Canadian eligibility: ≥50% Canadian performed and ≥50% Canadian song-written.
• Release definition (Canada): Public availability via streaming services, digital purchase (retailer or artist site), physical retail, free release with the artist’s consent, or for sale/giveaway at performances. (Promo advances/media-only streams don’t count until publicly released.)
• Authority: Eligibility interpretations are at the sole discretion of Polaris leadership; all rulings are final.

For artists, labels, managers, and publicists

• Who can submit? Artists, record labels, managers, and publicists may submit eligible songs via the Music Submissions Portal.
• Submit early: We recommend submitting early so jurors have adequate time to evaluate; the jury receives a high volume of music each season.
• Submissions ≠ nominations: A submission is not a nomination – the jury determines nominations.

Submit your song 
Full rules & definitions

Timeline

June: Song Long List announced (20 nominees)
July: Song Short List announced (5 nominees)
September: Winner revealed at the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony (Toronto)

Concert & Award Ceremony  ·  Subscribe for exact reveal dates 

This year’s Winner & Nominees

• Winner (2025): Mustafa — “Gaza Is Calling.” (Prize: $10,000 shared between the Canadian performers and credited Canadian songwriter(s).)
• Short List (5) — 2025
• Long List (20) — 2025
• Past years: 2025 was the inaugural year of the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize

Looking for other prizes?

Polaris Album Prize (Album of the Year, artistic merit)

Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize (classic Canadian albums made before 2006; public + jury)

Artist impact (over time)

• Career advancement: 48% credit their Polaris nomination/win with advancing their careers
• Audience growth after first nomination/win (average): +126% social following; +157% revenue-platform followers; +90% live audiences
• Income growth: 82% saw increases in music income and live performance income; 78% saw increases in sync revenue
• Visibility & opportunities: 47% reported more media attention; 57% grew their professional networks

The above data was obtained via an independent study of Polaris Album Prize Winners.

Media enquiries

aaron.brophy@polarismusicprize.ca • Press Releases

FAQs (Song Prize)

1. What is the eligibility window?
   Typically April 1 of the previous year to May 1 of the current year. Check the Official Rules for the current season.

   Can I submit my song? Who can submit?
   Yes. Artists, record labels, managers, and publicists may submit via the Music Submissions Portal. Submission does not guarantee a nomination; it ensures jurors can fairly evaluate your song.

   What kind of music is considered?
   All genres and styles. Jurors evaluate artistic merit only.

   Who are the jurors? How are they selected?
   An independent jury of Canadian music writers, broadcasters, bloggers, curators, and programmers from across the country. Individuals with direct financial ties to artists are ineligible. Jurors are selected annually by Polaris staff and the Jury Foreperson.

   How is the winner decided?
   From the Song Short List (5 nominees), the jury votes to determine the Song of the Year. (There is no Grand Jury for the Song Prize.)

   Can I lobby the jury or contact them?
   Overt lobbying is discouraged to maintain fairness. You may make jurors aware of your record via their public media channels. We do not publish jurors’ contact details; see their media affiliations on our site.

   What are the benefits of being nominated or winning?
   National visibility, career momentum, and community connection. The Song Prize winner receives a $10,000 cash prize (shared by Canadian performers and credited Canadian songwriter(s)).

More questions? See the broader FAQ 

Get involved

Polaris is a registered Canadian charitable arts organization. Your support keeps artist-first programming thriving.
Donate to Polaris  ·  Subscribe for announcements  ·  Submit your music for consideration   ·   Jury Application