Odyssey of the Mind
2026 World Finals Judges
DEADLINE TO APPLY: 1/28/2026
Letters of intent will be sent from Odyssey HQ in February/March.
The actual Invitations will be sent in March/April.
World Finals will take place from May 27-30 at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. As in past years, lodging and meals will be provided. You are responsible for your own transportation costs.
If you want to be nominated by Michigan to work as a judge or official at World Finals, you must meet each of the following prerequisites:
Non-Judging Role Volunteers - Please apply if you are interested in working at World Finals. Contact me if you have questions.
TO COMPLETE YOUR NOTIFICATION OF INTEREST/MI APPLICATION by January 25,2026. The link to the Google form is provided below.
Steps following your application:
If you have questions about serving as a World Finals judge or official or about this process, please contact Pamela Gombert, Michigan Association Director at 616-698-1864 or [email protected].
If you want to be nominated by Michigan to work as a judge or official at World Finals, you must meet each of the following prerequisites:
- Be 18 years of age;
- Have served as a certified Michigan judge or official for the past two years;
- Be certified in one of this year’s problem; and
- Have registered and will serve as an official at both our 2026 Regional and State Finals MI Tournaments.
Non-Judging Role Volunteers - Please apply if you are interested in working at World Finals. Contact me if you have questions.
TO COMPLETE YOUR NOTIFICATION OF INTEREST/MI APPLICATION by January 25,2026. The link to the Google form is provided below.
Steps following your application:
- Once your application is received, the AD sends your name to the State Problem Captains and Regional Directors for approval. If they do not approve of your nomination, you will be contacted directly. If you do not hear from the AD, your name will be submitted to CCI.
- CCI's part of the process is still being developed but should run similar to the below steps.
- After submission to CCI, you will receive a Letter of Interest via email from CCI. This is NOT your invitation to judge. Please follow the instructions and return this promptly. Judges and Officials are selected only from those who return the Letter of Interest. Do NOT make airline reservations you cannot cancel until you have been invited and return your acceptance (See Step 3). NOTE: Please understand that a large number of people apply so not all applicants will be asked to serve every year.
- Invitations to judge or serve at World Finals usually arrive in late-February to late March. Respond RIGHT AWAY. This process continues in rounds until all judging and officials positions are filled.
If you have questions about serving as a World Finals judge or official or about this process, please contact Pamela Gombert, Michigan Association Director at 616-698-1864 or [email protected].