With a newly extended December 5 deadline, the World Landscape Architecture (WLA) Awards is inviting professionals to judge its 2026 competition, a role that involves evaluating the highest standards of global design and sustainable practice.

The WLA is seeking design professionals, academics and professors in landscape architecture and related disciplines, such as urban design and architecture, to apply. Serving as a juror offers a platform to influence the profession’s international discourse and to champion projects that set new standards for excellence.

There are two distinct juries with specific eligibility requirements. For the Professional Awards, jurors must have a minimum of five years of demonstrated expertise, with previous judging or extensive university critique experience preferred. Applicants must be available for independent review during the May-June scoring period, have a good command of English, and be able to use standard digital files. Notably, individuals from firms that had a juror on the 2025 panel are ineligible to apply. Furthermore, if successful, the juror’s employer cannot enter the 2026 Professional Awards.

For the Student Awards, applicants must currently hold an academic position at a recognized institution. A commitment to impartiality and the promotion of excellence in student work is essential. While students from a juror’s university may enter the awards, the juror will be recused from scoring those specific entries.

The judging process involves three rounds. The initial stages are self-managed, requiring jurors to review PDF submissions and complete score sheets independently. A final roundtable discussion is held via video conference. All jurors are expected to exercise impartial professional judgment, declare any conflicts of interest and sign a Juror Declaration. The positions are voluntary and unpaid, though jurors will receive a profile on the WLA website, a certificate and a letter of recommendation.

Interested parties are required to submit a PDF containing a short biography, a 300–500-word statement of interest and a two-page CV, along with a separate headshot. The submission deadline has been extended to December 5, at 11:59 PM Honolulu Time. Applications should be emailed to awards@worldlandscapearchitect.com.