Deadline: April 15, 2026
Applications are open for the Falling Walls Global Call for Science Breakthroughs 2026. The Falling Walls Global Call for Science Breakthroughs is an international competition format that aims to identify the most groundbreaking scientific achievements of the world. They are looking for the most recent and innovative Science Breakthroughs of the Year!
The Falling Walls Global Call is composed of the following categories:
- Life Sciences: The scientific study of life and organisms e.g. biology, neuroscience, zoology.
- Physical Sciences: The observation and understanding of natural phenomena of the earth, atmosphere and space, e.g. chemistry, physics, astronomy.
- Engineering & Technology: The practical application of science and mathematics to every-day life, e.g. artificial intelligence, information technology, mechanical engineering.
- Social Sciences & Humanities: The institutions and functioning of human society and the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of society, e.g. politics, economics, philosophy.
- Art & Science: Artists whose work is inspired and influenced by science, which sheds light on societal issues, natural phenomena or simply the wonder of scientific discoveries.
- Science Start-ups (Falling Walls Venture): Innovative start-ups that have translated breakthrough scientific thinking into promising business models.
- Science Engagement (Falling Walls Engage): Forms of participatory science engagement initiatives that generate mutual learning between, and mutual benefits for, science and society.
- Women’s* Impact Award (Female Science Talents): Excellence in interdisciplinary research and engagement contributing to gender equality, diversity in science and academia, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. *Falling Walls Female Science Talents uses an inclusive definition of women and welcomes submissions from cis and trans women, genderqueer and non-binary people.
Benefits
- Get international visibility for your project.
- Be a part of the Falling Walls network and interact with a wide range of decision-makers, innovators and emerging talents from all over the world. Join an interdisciplinary community that is committed to bringing down barriers to address common challenges.
- Get the opportunity to take part in the Falling Walls Science Summit 2026, a four-day conference with inspiring keynotes, discussions, exciting pitches and a lot more on topics related to science, its communities and the opportunities connected to science and society.
- Take your chance to become one of the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year and present your breakthrough work to a global audience on 9 November 2026 on our stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin.
Eligibility
- You can either nominate outstanding research or apply with your own project.
- Their goal is to find excellent and groundbreaking research projects in the different categories. With recent “breakthrough research” they are specifically looking for projects that address global challenges and represent scientific knowledge in an innovative way. They encourage an interdisciplinary approach to science.
- For nominations, they invite leading academic institutions, universities, research organisations, companies, private and public research centres, academies, research funders, foundations, and individuals to nominate the bright minds behind the latest breakthroughs and outstanding science projects.
Application
For more information, visit Falling Walls Global Call for Science Breakthroughs.
