Marine Corps leaders join Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s 2026 Annual Awards
winners at National Museum of the Marine Corps for awards ceremony.
Provided by Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Categories include journalism, photography, writing, art, poetry, historical displays and digital storytelling
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (MCHF) has opened nominations for its 2027 Annual Awards, recognizing exceptional work in 18 categories that deepen the public’s understanding of Marine Corps history, traditions, and service. Judged by Marines and civilian experts, the Annual Awards are a mark of distinction and achievement for journalists, writers, photographers, artists, and scholars.
Winners of the Annual Awards program will be honored during a ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps with active and retired Marine Corps leaders. Recipients also receive a gold medallion, a commemorative brick in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, and, in select categories, a cash prize. Previous winners include amateur artists and active-duty Marines, as well as best-selling authors, renowned historians, and the works of such national outlets as NPR, The Washington Post and HBO.
Online nominations are free and open through Dec. 15, 2026. Some categories will accept a limited number of submissions, so the Foundation encourages early nominations. All submitted works must have been created or released in the last three calendar years. Individuals may only submit nominations in a single category but may submit up to three works for consideration. Complete category descriptions and entry details are posted on the Foundation’s website.
About the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation:
Dedicated to the preservation and promulgation of Marine Corps history, the Foundation was established in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps. It provides grants for research and the preservation, restoration, and commissioning of Marine Corps art, artifacts, and landmarks. Having secured funding for the construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center, the Foundation’s current mission is to seek support that will strengthen programming at the Museum and beyond its walls. For more information, visit MarineHeritage.org.
