The Special Awards at the Grammys are handed out without nominees. The awards in the list are generally ones which honor and recognize achievements in the field of music for more than a year. The awards included in the list of special awards are:
- Lifetime Achievement Award - The Lifetime Achievement award is a special award given out by the Recording Academy to performers or artists who during their lifetimes or careers have made creative contributions of outstanding artist significance to the field of recording.
- Trustees Award - The Trustees Award at the Grammys was introduced to honor non-performers and individuals in the field of music who had made significant contributions to the field of recording.
- Technical Grammy Award - The Recording Academy introduced the Technical GRAMMY Award in 1994 to honor individuals who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.
- Grammy Legend Award - The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences founded the Grammy Awards in 1958, it was designed to honor and recognize outstanding achievements in the music industry.
- Grammy Hall of Fame Award - The hall of Fame Award is a special merit award given out at the Grammys since 1973, it was to recognize and honor recordings that were at least twenty-five years old and that have “qualitative or historical significance.”
- The MusiCares Person of the Year Award - In 1991, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences introduced Grammy viewers to an award titled MusiCares Person of the Year. It has been presented annually after its introduction; the award recognizes artistic achievement in the music industry and dedication to philanthropy.