How the Creative Writing competition works

International Conference 2026
The following information has been updated for the 2026 world finals. Coaches and competitors invited to the International Conference for 2026 should review this page for specific competition details.

Overview

We invite affiliate champion scenario writers to compete at our world finals. Writers have two hours to write a new creative scenario of up to 1000 words. This new story is based on this year’s International Conference topic and inspired by the future scene provided during the competition.

Writers may work directly within FPSOnline or work offline and submit a handwritten scenario on paper. Students are responsible for bringing their own laptop and/or pens or pencils to the competition room. Only writing submissions completed during the official International Conference two-hour competition period will be considered.

Awards
The awards ceremony recognizes the 1st – 7th place writers in each division. Following the conclusion of the ceremony, individual scoresheets are available in FPSOnline.

Competition rules
When competitors register for the event, they must complete the International Conference Publication Release and Competitor Rules Contract, which indicates a violation of any rules may result in disqualification. This is required for all competitors. Student work must be original. Evaluators and Future Problem Solving staff will review student work and hold discussions to confirm authenticity of student work. Submission of student work during a Future Problem Solving competition indicates that competitors will adhere to all posted rules and room instructions.

Helpful Link

9 Creative Writing submissions tips dos and don’ts

2026 World finals competition information

When students arrive at their competition room, they will receive important instructions from the competition leads. We recommend that all competitors and coaches review the information below carefully before attending the International Conference. Students will receive their competition time and room assignments on-site during International Conference check-in.

1. Future scene

At the start of the official competition time, competitors will receive a paper copy of the future scene developed to explore the International Conference topic. The student’s creative writing submission must have a connection to the future scene’s parameters of time, place, and topic.

2. Competition format

Students will have 2 hours to read the provided future scene and then develop and write an original short story of up to 1000 words. The student-author is responsible for completing all work on their scenario during the 2 hours, including any editing or revising.

• Each scenario should have a title. The title will not count toward the scenario’s 1000 word maximum.
• The scenario should contain no identifying information (name, affiliate, school, etc.).
• Students will only be evaluated on the first 1000 words of their scenario.

3. In the competition room

All scenarios must be written in the official competition rooms, as assigned.

Monitors will be present to ensure that students do not use prohibited items and that they adhere to Future Problem Solving rules for the duration of the competition.

Competition staff will not be able to provide technical support for students electing to type their work.

4. Writing method

Students must decide whether to complete their scenario electronically (typed) in FPSOnline or traditionally (handwritten). Only student work entered as the official scenario (paper or electronic) will be scored.

Electronic (Typed)

• Students electing to complete their scenario in FPSOnline must close all other programs, applications, browsers, etc. Only a single FPSOnline page will be permitted. All other windows/tabs/etc. are prohibited. Having prohibited pages open may result in disqualification.
• Students who complete their scenario electronically are responsible for providing their own laptops.
• Students are responsible for bringing their International Conference FPSOnline login credentials with them to their competition room.
• Students will have access to campus wi-fi. Students may elect to use personal hotspots. 
• No power sources (outlets) will be provided. Students are responsible for ensuring that their electronic devices will have sufficient power for the competition.

Paper (Handwritten)

• Students handwriting their scenario will receive a paper copy of the official scenario pages. 
• Students should make sure their writing is legible and dark enough to be read. 
• Conference staff will handle the upload process for all handwritten scenarios.

5. Supplies

Students must provide their own pens, pencils, highlighters, and/or laptops. Students can bring a paper dictionary and thesaurus to use during the competition. No other materials are permitted. Students should leave all unnecessary items with their chaperone.

All competitors will receive a paper copy of the future scene and scrap paper for notes. Students handwriting their scenario will receive a paper copy of the official scenario pages. 

6. Outside resources

Students cannot utilize outside resources. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to; student notes prepared before the competition, AI tools, research, references, coach/parent advice, and internet searches.

7. Translation and accommodations

All requests for translations or educational accommodations must be made during registration. Any need for translation of written work should be noted during registration. All evaluations will be completed in English.

8. No self-identification

The scenario must not contain identifying information (name, affiliate, school, etc.).

9. Good judgment

Watch Out
Students are encouraged to think creatively and futuristically. Taking conceptual risks is part of the creative thinking process, but these risks may not pay off or may push the boundaries too far. All participants should consider the impact of their work and words on others, accounting for the diversity of age, ethnicity, religion, culture, and experience that make up the Future Problem Solving community. Students should use good judgment and remember that all submitted work should be appropriate for all audiences.

FPSOnline

Competitive submissions for the International Conference will be processed using our virtual platform FPSOnline.

Whether you use FPSOnline throughout the year, or this will be your first time, we recommend that you review the Quick Start Guide for video walkthroughs of using FPSOnline.

FPSOnline at the International Conference

Be sure to review the updated rules for using FPSOnline during the 2026 International Conference. 

• Scoresheets for all competitions will be released after the International Conference Awards Ceremony via FPSOnline.
• On May 21, 2026, we will share login credentials for coaches and students directly to coaches. We will use the coach email noted during IC registration to send this information.
• For Creative Writing, all work must be typed directly in FPSOnline – competitors are not allowed to upload files or work in a separate document and then transfer (copy/paste) work.
• International Conference staff will be present to monitor the competition. They will not be able to provide technical support. In the event of device failure, the timer will not be stopped. Students will be provided with paper to continue their work.

FPSOnline practice session

On Friday, May 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT, we will host an FPSOnline practice session. The session will stay open until Wednesday, May 27 at 8:00 PM EDT. Coaches will receive login information on May 21, 2026. This information will be sent directly to the email listed on the IC registration. Use our IC help form if you have questions or need support during the practice session.

A future scene related to the International Conference topic will be provided for students. Future Problem Solving will not review or evaluate any work submitted during the practice session. 

The goal is to help students become familiar with the FPSOnline system.

• Logging in
• Entering text

Students will have two options available during the practice session:

1. Option 1 will have no timer, unlike the official competition window. This will provide students with unlimited time to become acquainted with FPSOnline, prior to their competition.
2. Option 2 will have a 2-hour timer, reflecting the official competition setting. 

Please refer to the Quick Start Guide for best tips when using FPSOnline. This article includes important information about logins, browsers, devices, formatting, and more..

Competition Integrity

All work submitted by students for their competition must be their own original work, and completed within the 2-hour competition timeframe in accordance with posted rules and competition instructions. The use of outside materials is prohibited, this includes, but is not limited to: AI tools, websites, coach/parent advice, research, references, or content prepared before the competition. Submitted work will be scanned for authenticity (including AI-generated content and plagiarism). All competitors must follow all competition rules and room instructions. Failure to follow competition rules may result in disqualification. For more information, please review the Competition Integrity page.

Evaluation

Evaluators use the official Creative Writing Evaluation Guidelines to assess all International Conference submissions. Future Problem Solving evaluation applies rubrics (with expectations) for corresponding point point values for a range criteria, including:

• Creative and futuristic thinking
• Idea and character development
• Style/voice
• Mechanics
• Relation to the future scene

Each competitive submission receives multiple evaluations. Each evaluator uses total points to determine the scenario’s rank. Points and ranks from each evaluation are used to create a composite score (values are assigned to a set range of points and ranks). Placement is determined using the composite score:

• In round one, each scenario receives two evaluations. Based on the composite score, the top scenarios in each division advance to the final round.
• In the final round, each scenario receives two additional evaluations.
• The two round one evaluations are processed with the two final round evaluations to determine a final round composite score.

While there are guidelines and descriptions of expectations, Future Problem Solving evaluation is based on subjective scoring. Because there is no single “right” answer, varying interpretations of student work are possible. Each evaluator determines the points that will be awarded for each section of a score sheet. For more information and a sample score sheet, see the how Creative Writing is evaluated article.

Questions?

If you have any questions related to this competition at the International Conference, fill out our IC help form.