Falling Walls Global Call

The Falling Walls Global Call is an international competition format that brings together science enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. We are looking for the most recent and innovative Science Breakthroughs of the Year! We encourage and invite nominations and applications from all over the world. To help make the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025 the celebration that excellent science deserves, we launch the Falling Walls Global Call each 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.

If you’re interested in participating in the Emerging Talents category (Falling Walls Lab) for students & early-career professionals, you can apply directly to an international Falling Walls Lab via the Falling Walls website by clicking here. Please note that the application process, as well as the deadlines, are different from the Global Call.

• 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 2025, a three-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 2025 on our stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin.

You can either nominate outstanding research or apply with your own project.

Our goal is to find excellent and groundbreaking research projects in the different categories. With recent “breakthrough research” we are specifically looking for projects that address global challenges and represent scientific knowledge in an innovative way. We encourage an interdisciplinary approach to science.

For nominations, we 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.

You can submit your nomination for the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year from 3 March – 15 May 2025. As a nominator, you need to register on our online platform. You will be asked to fill out some information about yourself, and the project you wish to nominate. We recommend submitting your nomination as early as possible, so the nominee is able to accept the nomination and submit further information about their project before the deadline.

Please note that applications have to be submitted in English. 

Life Sciences | Physical Sciences | Engineering & Technology | Social Sciences & Humanities | Art & Science
Yes, you can submit your own project. Please run through the nomination process on our online platform to nominate yourself. You will receive an email to confirm your nomination in order to give detailed information on your project.

Emerging Talents
If you’re interested in participating in the Emerging Talents category (Falling Walls Lab) for students & early-career professionals, you can apply directly to an international Falling Walls Lab via the Falling Walls website by clicking here. Please note that the application process, as well as the deadlines, are different from the Global Call.

Science Start-ups
A self-nomination is not possible. Start-ups must be endorsed by a nominating institution (e.g., university or a research institution). 

Science Engagement
You can apply directly with your own project.

Women's Impact Award
In addition to nominating someone else, you can apply directly with your own project. Please run through the application process on our online platform to apply. You will receive an email to confirm your application.

Please note that applications have to be submitted in English.

The selection process differs regarding the respective categories. To find out more about the selection criteria and evaluation processes, please visit the category pages.

If you have more questions about the nomination and application process for the Global Call, please do not hesitate to send us an email: breakthrough@falling-walls.com