Falling Walls Lab is a world-class pitch competition, networking forum, and stepping stone that brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary pool of students and early-career professionals by providing a stage for breakthrough ideas both globally and locally. Our multifaceted formats support our participants in driving their innovations and develop their communication skills, fostering collaboration and creating a space for our impactful and sustainable community to thrive.

The winner of each international Lab qualifies for the global finale in Berlin on 7 November, wins a ticket to attend the Falling Walls Science Summit, and takes part in an exclusive extended programme during their stay. At the global finale, the international Lab winners compete to become the Breakthrough Winner in the Emerging Talents category of Falling Walls, taking home the title and prize money, and receiving the opportunity to pitch their idea once again on the grand stage of the

Three minutes is all it takes!

Falling Walls Lab aims to reach a broad range of people from all professional backgrounds at the beginning of their careers. They are looking for university students and early-career professionals of all disciplines.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

You must be 18 years or older when submitting your application. There is no upper age limit for applicants.

You must fulfil at least one of the following formal requirements:

• You are currently enrolled in university and/or are currently a postdoc
• You received a Bachelor’s degree no more than 10 years ago
• You received a Master’s degree no more than 7 years ago
• You received a PhD no more than 5 years ago

APPLICATIONS

Before applying, please note:

• Applications must be submitted in English.
• Submitting multiple applications is not permitted.
• Travel & accommodation expenses for international Falling Walls Labs will not be covered unless otherwise stated by the local organisers.
• This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Past participants are no longer eligible to apply.
• No ticket purchase necessary when applying to an international Falling Walls Lab.

Before you apply, familiarise yourself with the application process here. Then, submit your application via the ‘Apply’.

After you have completed the application, you must send a screenshot and/or the mail where you certify that you have applied, along with your official credits, proof of enrollment, passport/identity card and CV, to the following e-mails: [email protected] cc [email protected]

THE PRIZE

International Falling Walls Lab Winners

• Win a trip to Berlin, Germany (travel and accommodation included)
• Participate in the global Falling Walls Lab finale (7 November 2024) in Berlin, where they will compete to become the Breakthrough Winner of the Year in the Emerging Talents category of Falling Walls.
• Receive a ticket to the prestigious Falling Walls Science Summit (7-9 November 2024), where leaders from science, industry, and policy-making meet and discuss which walls will be the next to fall in science and society
• Take part in an exclusive extended programme (extended programme events in past years have included a Springer Nature event on science publishing, an ‘Insights into German Research’ science excursion, a networking dinner, etc.)
• Interact with other Falling Walls Science Summit participants via various networking opportunities
• Increase their innovative project’s global reach and visibility with a pitch video in the Falling Walls content library
• Gain exclusive access to the Falling Walls Lab alumni network
  *Additional prizes vary by international Lab location.

Breakthrough Winners of the Year

• Win a cash prize!
• Are awarded the Breakthrough Winner of the Year title in the Emerging Talents category of Falling Walls
• Present their breakthrough projects on the Falling Walls Breakthroughs of the Year stage on 9 November 2024, which, throughout the day, hosts leading experts, changemakers, and luminaries

DEADLINE TO APPLY

25 April 2024

The presentation of the three-minute pitch will take place on May 30, 2024 at 2 p.m., in the Teatro Auditorio, Campus Metropolitano Victor Levi Sasso, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City.