Engage Pitches
Falling Walls Engage Pitches
The Falling Walls Engage Pitches take place in Berlin on 7 November as part of the Falling Walls Science Summit from 7–9 November 2026, an event that reunites the science community internationally. It is a great opportunity for selected Science Engagement practitioners to gain international visibility and connect with other inspiring practitioners engaging audiences with science all around the world.
We are welcoming 15 inspiring Falling Walls Engage Finalists who pitch their project on stage in front of an international audience to compete for the title of the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year in Science Engagement.
Since 2024 we have been setting a special focus on climate change, sustainability and innovation. In particular, we are looking for creative projects focusing on sustainability and climate adaptation impacting target groups who are dealing with the effects of climate change. The projects applying for the Falling Walls Engage Pitches are required to address climate adaptation as a core element. Find more details in the information about the competition section below.
On 9 November, the Breakthroughs of the Year in 9 categories – including in Science Engagement – converge during the Falling Walls Science Summit on the anniversary of the historic fall of the Berlin Wall.
The Falling Walls Global Call closed on 15 May 2025. Thank you for you applications!
In 2025, we received a stunning 237 applications from 84 countries with participatory and interactive formats of all kinds – from co-productive research over public panels towards arts-driven or entertaining approaches. Congratulations to all Shortlisted Applicants!
The Falling Walls Global Call closed on 15 May 2025. Thank you for you applications!
In 2025, we received a stunning 237 applications from 84 countries with participatory and interactive formats of all kinds – from co-productive research over public panels towards arts-driven or entertaining approaches. Congratulations to all Shortlisted Applicants!
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Falling Walls Engage is calling for Science Engagement projects that address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: Climate Change Action and Climate Adaptation. Applicants are required to focus on innovative approaches to these critical topics.
Climate change, driven by both natural processes and human activities, is causing profound and long-term shifts in temperature, weather patterns, and ecosystems. As these changes intensify, climate adaptation (adjusting ecological, social, or economic systems to mitigate risks or leverage new opportunities) has become essential.
Science Engagement projects can play a transformative role by creating innovative solutions that prepare for and respond to climate impacts. By blending scientific accuracy with creativity, these projects inspire action, raise awareness, and engage communities in meaningful ways. They foster collaboration, empower knowledge-sharing and drive collective efforts toward sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.
Falling Walls Engage invites projects that champion these goals, demonstrating how Science Engagement can empower communities and lead the way to a climate-resilient future.
- Applications are being screened by a selection committee to receive an answer in June 2025 if they are selected as one of the 30 Finalists to be featured on the Falling Walls website and other channels.
- 15 Winners will be selected by an Advisory Board and invited to pitch their project on stage on 6 November 2025 in front of an international audience.
- The Science Breakthrough of the Year in the category Science Engagement will be selected by an international jury and announced on 6 November 2025, and present their project on the Breakthrough stage on 9 November 2025 together with other Science Breakthroughs of the Year.
- Unique networking-opportunities with like-minded Science Engagement practitioners & professionals and peers around the world.
- Hands-on pitch training session to refine your presentation and storytelling skills.
- Increased reach and visibility for you and your initiative on a global level.
- Access to a digital and global community networkplatform, to connect and collaborate with community members.
- Get a travel scholarship for Berlin from 5 – 10 November 2025 and a ticket for the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025.
- Showcase your project to an international audience and a distinguished jury on stage on 6 November.
- Have the chance to become the Science Breakthrough of the Year 2025, Science Engagement.
- Have in depth co-learning and peer exchange with Falling Walls Community members, partners and global leaders.
- Your live pitch published in our growing Falling Walls media library.
Pitch your project in front of a physical and virtual audience of global leaders, award-winning professionals, media, and industry-experts on 9 November on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Science Summit.
If you have further questions, please reach out to: engage@falling-walls.com.
Download our Falling Walls Engage Terms & Conditions 2025.
FAQ Engage
Falling Walls Engage Pitches will take place as a physical event on 6 November 2025 in Berlin as part of the Falling Walls Science Summit, which will take place on 6 – 9 November 2025.
Benefits for all 30 Shortlisted Applicants
- Unique networking-opportunities with like-minded Science Engagement practitioners & professionals and peers around the world.
- Hands-on pitch training session to refine your presentation and storytelling skills.
- Increased reach and visibility for you and your initiative on a global level.
- Access to a digital and global community network, to connect and collaborate with community members.
Extra benefits for the 15 Finalists
- Get a travel scholarship for Berlin from 5 - 10 November 2025 and a ticket for the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025 and showcase your project to an international audience and a distinguished jury on stage on 7 November.
- Have the chance to become the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year 2025 in Science Engagement.
- Have in depth co-learning and peer exchange with Falling Walls Community members, partners and global leaders.
- Your live pitch published on our growing Falling Walls media library.
Extra benefits for the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year
- Pitch your project in front of a physical and virtual audience of global leaders, award-winning professionals, media, and industry-experts on 9 November on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Science Summit.
- Organisations and individuals active in Science Engagement.
- All disciplines and project sizes with special attention to the realm of sustainability and climate adaptation are welcome.
- Your project must be running. You cannot participate if you are still at the idea AND/OR FUNDING stage.
- You must be 18 years or older when submitting your application.
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- Projects, which never have presented on (physical or digital) stage of Falling Walls Engage Pitches.
Selection Criteria:
- IMPACT (40%): Initiatives with measurable and significant, lasting and sustained impact that have long-term impact in people's lives and on climate adaptation as a result.
- INNOVATION (30%): New, unique, inspiring, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking projects that tackle the biggest challenges of our time, such as climate change.
- APPROACH (20%): Inclusive participatory formats of all levels: from public panels to arts-driven or entertaining approaches to co-productive research. The common ground is a two-way process with the goal to shape and co-create scientific knowledge together.
- OVERALL IMPRESSION (10%): Structure and quality of application. On 7 November: Structure and quality of pitch presentation on stage in front of an international audience.
Click here to see the whole pie chart on selection criteria.
- Organisations and individuals active in Science Engagement.
- All disciplines and project sizes with special attention to the realm of sustainability and climate adaptation are welcome.
- Your project must be running. You cannot participate if you are still at the idea AND/OR FUNDING stage.
- You must be 18 years or older when submitting your application.
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- Projects, which never have presented on (physical or digital) stage of Falling Walls Engage Pitches.
Selection Criteria:
- IMPACT (40%): Initiatives with measurable and significant, lasting and sustained impact that have long-term impact in people's lives and on climate adaptation as a result.
- INNOVATION (30%): New, unique, inspiring, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking projects that tackle the biggest challenges of our time, such as climate change.
- APPROACH (20%): Inclusive participatory formats of all levels: from public panels to arts-driven or entertaining approaches to co-productive research. The common ground is a two-way process with the goal to shape and co-create scientific knowledge together.
- OVERALL IMPRESSION (10%): Structure and quality of application. On 7 November: Structure and quality of pitch presentation on stage in front of an international audience.
Click here to see the whole pie chart on selection criteria.
The Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year, Science Engagement is an exemplary, inspiring, and impactful initiative that:
- breaks down walls between science and society with its individual approach on climate change;
- engages with people in the process of science, promotes opportunities for co-learning, co-leadership and co-creation and creates excitement for and trust in science;
- shows a project that is new, unique, innovative, forward-thinking and entrepreneurial.
You have the possibility to nominate other Science Engagement projects as well as to apply directly with your Science Engagement project.
Please note: You do not need a nomination to apply, but can also submit your application directly yourself.
To do so, please fill out our nomination / application form.
STEP 1: Click on “Nominate or Apply Now”
STEP 2: Register for our platform
STEP 3: Choose “I am nominating” or “I would like to apply”
STEP 4: Choose the category “Science Engagement”
STEP 5: Fill in your application
Get a confirmation email with further information regarding the competition process.
STEP 1: Fill in the online application form.
STEP 2: Get a confirmation email with further information regarding the competition process.
STEP 3: Receive an answer by June 2025 if you are one of the 30 Shortlisted Applicants that will be presented on the Falling Walls website and other channels.
STEP 4: Receive an answer by July 2025 if you are one of the 15 Finalists who will be invited to Berlin to present their project at Falling Walls Engage Pitches on 7 November in front of an international audience (November 2025).
The participation at Falling Walls Engage Pitches is a limited once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for projects. By applying, the applicant confirms that he/she has never presented the project on a (virtual or physical) stage at Falling Walls Pitches before. Exception applies only if the applicant presents a different project fulfilling the eligibility criteria mentioned above.
When submitting an application, we ask you to upload the following documents:
1) A portrait picture (max. size 10 MB)
2) At least one project picture (max. size 10 MB)
3) A simple 1-minute video (.avi or .mp4 format, max. 100MB) answering these questions:
- What is your name and where are you from?
- What is your project’s name, what is it about and how does it engage the public with science?
4) A voice recording of yourself spelling your name
For further information about Falling Walls Engage Pitches 2025, please consult our Terms and Conditions.
If you have further questions, please reach out to: engage@falling-walls.com.