[1] Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

[3] While the definition of "alternative" has been debated,[4] the award was first presented in 1991 to recognize non-mainstream rock albums "heavily played on college radio stations".

It may embrace a variety of subgenres or any hybrids thereof and may include recordings that don't fit into other genre categories.

[4] The award goes to the artist, producer and engineer/mixer, provided they were credited with more than 50% of playing time on the album.

Three female solo artists have won the award, Sinéad O'Connor and Fiona Apple; two bands with female members, The White Stripes and Alabama Shakes, have also won the award, as well as two all-female bands, Wet Leg and Boygenius.