MERIDIAN SUBMISSION RULES

Version 1.1

 

INTRODUCTION

The Meridian submission process exists to ensure clarity, transparency, consistency, and fairness throughout the awards process.

These submission rules have been designed to support:

  • efficient evaluation
  • technical consistency
  • category integrity
  • professional presentation
  • transparent administration

All entrants are responsible for ensuring submissions are:

  • accurate
  • complete
  • technically compliant
  • submitted within the official deadline period

Meridian encourages artists to approach submission with the same level of care and intentionality reflected within the work itself.

 

REQUIRED SUBMISSION MATERIALS

All entries must include the following materials at the time of submission:

Required Materials

  • final publicly released audio file
  • public DSP streaming link
  • cover artwork
  • press photograph
  • full credits
  • official release date
  • lyrics where applicable
  • genre tags/categories
  • AI disclosure information where relevant

 

Optional Supporting Materials

Artists may additionally provide:

  • artistic statements
  • conceptual notes
  • cultural context
  • production philosophy
  • immersive design notes
  • additional creative context

Supporting statements remain optional across all categories but are strongly encouraged where they may help contextualise artistic intent.

The submitted work itself remains the primary basis of evaluation.

 

AUDIO DELIVERY SPECIFICATIONS

Standard Audio Requirements

All non-immersive submissions must be delivered as:

  • WAV
    OR
  • FLAC

files.

Minimum specifications:

  • 44.1kHz
  • 16-bit
  • stereo interleaved

Maximum file size:

200MB per submission.

Submitted files must represent:

the final publicly released version of the work.

Demo versions, alternate mixes, incomplete versions, revised masters, or post-release alterations are not permitted.

 

Loudness & Mastering

Meridian does not impose loudness normalisation requirements or mastering restrictions.

Submissions are evaluated artistically rather than against technical loudness standards.

 

IMMERSIVE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Submissions to:

The Meridian Immersive Distinction

must be delivered in:

Dolby Atmos ADM/BWF format.

No alternative immersive formats will be accepted for assessment.

Additional immersive delivery specifications may be provided by Meridian where necessary.

 

CATEGORY SELECTION

Entrants are encouraged to submit works into categories that genuinely reflect the artistic nature and strengths of the submission.

Meridian reserves the right to:

  • review category suitability
  • reassign entries where appropriate
  • reject category placements deemed clearly unsuitable

Category reassignment decisions are made solely to improve alignment between the work and the category framework.

 

ENTRY FEES & PRICING

Standard Pricing

Submission pricing is structured as follows:

  • First category entry: £50 GDP
  • Additional category entries for the same submission: £30 GDP each

Entry fees apply per submission.

 

Early & Late Submission Pricing

Meridian may offer:

  • early submission pricing
  • standard pricing periods
  • late submission pricing

Specific pricing windows will be announced for each awards cycle.

 

Educational Pricing

Educational pricing is available exclusively for entrants submitting to:

The Meridian Ascent

who are currently enrolled in full-time education.

Applicants seeking educational pricing should refer to the education section of the Meridian website for current eligibility requirements and verification procedures.

 

Refund Policy

All submission fees are:

non-refundable.

This includes:

  • withdrawn entries
  • incomplete submissions
  • rejected submissions
  • disqualified submissions
  • duplicate submissions
  • user submission errors

Entrants are responsible for ensuring all submission details are accurate prior to payment.

 

SUBMISSION MANAGEMENT

Non-Editable Submissions

Once submitted and paid for:

entries cannot be edited or modified.

Entrants are responsible for verifying:

  • file accuracy
  • category selection
  • credits
  • metadata
  • supporting materials

before final submission.

 

Duplicate Submissions

Meridian is not responsible for accidental duplicate submissions.

Duplicate entries submitted in error remain subject to standard entry fees.

 

Incomplete Submissions

Incomplete submissions may be:

  • rejected
  • returned for correction
  • held pending additional information

at Meridian’s discretion.

Where time reasonably allows prior to submission deadlines, Meridian may attempt to contact entrants regarding missing information.

However, Meridian is under no obligation to provide correction opportunities.

 

Withdrawal Of Entries

Entrants may withdraw submissions at any time prior to the official finalist announcement.

Submission fees remain non-refundable following withdrawal.

 

OWNERSHIP & USAGE RIGHTS

Artists and rights holders retain full ownership of all submitted works and materials.

Submission to Meridian does not transfer ownership, copyright, or publishing rights to Meridian.

However, by submitting work to Meridian, entrants grant Meridian the right to use submitted materials for:

  • awards-related promotion
  • finalist announcements
  • winner announcements
  • editorial coverage
  • website display
  • social media promotion
  • marketing and publicity materials
  • event presentation
  • archival and historical documentation

This may include use of:

  • audio excerpts
  • artwork
  • artist images
  • titles
  • credits
  • promotional text

All usage will remain directly connected to Meridian-related professional and promotional activity.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE RIGHTS

Meridian reserves the right to:

  • extend submission deadlines
  • close submissions early
  • cap submission numbers
  • modify submission schedules
  • reject technically non-compliant files
  • request additional verification materials where necessary

These measures exist solely to maintain fairness, operational consistency, and effective administration of the awards process.

 

FINAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ENTRANT

The submitting party is responsible for ensuring:

  • all information provided is accurate
  • all collaborators have granted permission
  • all submitted materials are authorised for use
  • all files meet technical requirements
  • all eligibility rules have been satisfied

Submission does not guarantee:

  • finalist placement
  • nomination
  • award recognition
  • category acceptance

All submissions remain subject to Meridian review and eligibility verification.

 

Promotion of Recognition

Artists receiving Meridian recognition are strongly encouraged to share official Meridian certificates, announcements and promotional assets through their public channels in order to celebrate their achievement and support the wider Meridian community.

 

CLOSING STATEMENT

The Meridian submission process exists to support clear, transparent, and professional artistic evaluation across all categories.

These rules are intended not to create unnecessary barriers, but to ensure consistency, fairness, and integrity throughout the awards process.

Meridian believes artistic recognition carries weight and meaning.

The submission process therefore exists to protect the seriousness, transparency, and credibility of that recognition for every artist who chooses to participate.