Under the motto “Which are the next walls to fall?”, our regional scientific community is taking part in the annual FALLING WALLS season.
We are looking for outstanding ideas, innovative solutions and groundbreaking concepts to address current societal challenges.
The application period runs until 31 July
Die Teilnehmenden präsentieren ihre Idee in einem dreiminütigen Pitch auf der Bühne, an schließend werden die Gewinner:innen von einer interdisziplinären Jury gekürt. Teilnehmen können aktive Angehörige einer Universität, aber auch alle, die innerhalb der letzten Jahre einen akademischen Abschluss erreicht haben.
WHY APPLY?
- Present your breakthrough idea to a high-profile jury of experts from academia, business and society.
- Gain international visibility and sharpen your communication skills in a dynamic pitch format.
- Connect with like-minded peers and build a strong interdisciplinary network.
- Win the opportunity to embark on a six-day journey to Berlin (5–11 November) and join the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale, including travel and accommodation.
- Receive a ticket to attend the Falling Walls Science Summit (6–9 November) – a leading international conference for science and innovation.
- Take part in an exclusive winners’-programme featuring coaching, workshops and career-focused networking.
- Compete for the title of “Breakthrough Winner” in the Emerging Talents category of Falling Walls, including prize money and the opportunity to present on the grade stage of the Falling Walls Breakthroughs of the Year on 9 November, alongside leading scientists, including Nobel Laureates.
If you’re ready to present your idea to a global audience, apply now here!
What is a FALLING WALLS Lab?
The FALLING WALLS Lab is a global pitch competition that brings together an interdisciplinary community of students and early-career researchers by providing them with a platform on which to present their groundbreaking ideas in presentations lasting just three minutes. In 2025, more than 2,750 applications were received, and 82 FALLING WALLS Labs were held across 60 countries worldwide.
Every year, between February and September, renowned academic institutions organise their own FALLING WALLS Labs to showcase the quality, diversity and passion of the most innovative minds in their respective regions. The winners of these local competitions qualify for the global final in Berlin, which takes place as part of the FALLING WALLS Science Summit. There, they have the opportunity to network with leading figures from the worlds of science, business and politics.
During their stay in Berlin, which lasts several days, the international Lab winners take part in a comprehensive supporting programme. This gives them valuable insights into the German research landscape and introduces them to the wide range of opportunities that Germany offers to international researchers.
In the global final, the international winners will compete for the prestigious title of ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ in the ‘Emerging Talents’ category. In addition to the title, the winners will receive prize money and share the stage with leading experts, change-makers, Nobel laureates and Leibniz Prize winners.
Which wall will your research break?
The event is organised by JENAINNOVATION in collaboration with the Graduate Academy of Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
The FALLING WALLS Foundation is a non-profit organisation in Berlin, dedicated to supporting science and the humanities. It is a unique international platform for leaders from the worlds of science, business and politics, the arts, and society. Falling Walls fosters discussion on research and innovation, and promotes the latest scientific findings among a broad audience from all parts of society.