SAVE THE DATE: FEMALE SCIENCE TALENTS INTENSIVE TRACK 2026

Our mission is to inspire and empower talented women in science with a strong research background to take their next career step. We support early-career talents in exploring new pathways toward leadership and enhance the global recognition of exceptional talents, while furthering the overarching promotion of women in science.

With the Intensive Track, we offer a year-long support programme for 20 exceptionally talented women across all scientific disciplines, with the aim of guiding them toward achieving significant career breakthroughs. Through online events, mentoring opportunities, and participation in high-level events in Berlin, we support them in building an international network and increasing their global recognition. Through a series of skill-enhancement workshops, we boost their career vision and facilitate their exploration of related fields.

Throughout the year, we also foster an environment for the 20 Champions to engage with one another, promoting peer exchange, community building and mutual support among them. We invite them to become an active part of the Female Science Talents community and connect with peers across the Falling Walls programmes and partner networks. We ensure visibility for their work through the communication channels of Female Science Talents and Falling Walls.

*Falling Walls Female Science Talents uses an inclusive definition of women, including cis and trans women, genderqueer and non-binary people.

 Yes, after completion of the programme, you will receive a certificate of participation. 

We are committed to creating a respectful, inclusive, and diverse environment for all participants. 

• Be respectful: Treat everyone with dignity, regardless of gender, background, ethnicity, ability, or belief. 
• Value diversity: We actively welcome and support people from underrepresented and marginalized communities. 
• Create safe spaces: Share openly, listen actively, and respect confidentiality. 
• Engage constructively: Foster dialogue, encourage different perspectives, and support each other. 
• Address issues: Harassment, discrimination, or exclusion will not be tolerated. Concerns can be raised confidentially with the organizing team. 
• By participating, you agree to uphold these values and contribute to an empowering community. 

Thank you for your support! Male allies play a vital role in advancing gender equity in academia. You can contribute by: 

• Being a mentor or speaker who shares inclusive leadership experiences and opens doors for diverse talents. 
• Advocating for the visibility and recognition of women and gender-diverse scientists in your field or institution. 
• Creating inclusive environments in your teams and networks, and challenging bias where you see it. 
• Partnering with us on events, collaborations, or outreach efforts that promote equity and diversity in science. 

If you'd like to get involved, feel free to reach out — we value allyship and collaboration. 

We welcome applications from female or gender diverse PhD students in the final stages of their research, as well as from postdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD in 2020 or later. Candidates from all academic disciplines and from universities or research institutions worldwide are welcome to apply. We equally welcome applicants with qualifications equivalent to a PhD or postdoctoral experience — such as medical degrees or other advanced professional scientific training. 

We are especially seeking candidates who:

• Excel in their Scientific Field: Demonstrate outstanding research, innovative thinking, and a commitment to advancing knowledge in their discipline.
• Actively Contribute to the Programme and Community:
  • Engage in Peer-to-Peer Learning: Share skills and insights in interactive sessions and small group discussions.
  • Mentor the Next Cohort: Support future participants through mentorship, offering guidance to help them thrive in the cohort of 2027 (up to 6 times per year).
  • Initiate and Engage in Community Events: Organise engaging events like panel discussions or knowledge-sharing sessions that bring added value to the community.
  • Are Proactive and Collaborative: Enthusiastically participate in programme workshops, contribute ideas, and foster a positive and supportive atmosphere for all participants.
• Have Solid Communication Skills: Fluency in English, ability to communicate research and career goals to a wider audience, good self-presentation skills.

We are especially encouraging women* from the Global South to apply.  

Selection is based on submitted application materials and carried out by an expert panel. Criteria include scientific excellence, motivation, candidate potential and self-presentation. 

Your PhD does not have to already be completed. If you are a PhD student in the final stage of your research, you are also eligible to participate in the programme. 

Absolutely, we welcome and encourage applications from gender diverse applicants, including those whose gender fall outside of the traditional binary of male and female. 

The next call will be officially announced on this website, our newsletter and via our official social media channels in November 2025. Applications are submitted online via the cloud software Award Force. Usually we ask you to: 

• Tell us about yourself (300 characters limit incl. spaces).  
• Describe your research (300 characters limit incl. spaces). 
• Outline your career goals and vision (300 characters limit incl. spaces).  
• Describe how this programme can support your objectives (300 characters limit incl. spaces). 
• Explain how you can positively contribute to the programme (300 characters limit incl. spaces). 
• Upload your curriculum vitae (CV), which highlights the key stages and achievements of your career (tabular format). 
• Upload a short video introduction, where you share more about yourself and your motivation in a video (max. 2 min.). 

APPLICATION PERIOD: 1 November–21 November 2025 (tbc).   

DEADLINE: 21 November 2025 23.59 CET 

After the application period ends in November, a jury will select the participants. The final decision will be made by the end of December. Selected participants will be contacted via e-mail in January. The programme starts officially with a Kick-Off session in January or February, where participants receive a detailed introduction into the programme. 

You will share your unique skills and knowledge in interactive sessions with fellow participants. As long as the topics are related to the objectives of our programme, participants are free to choose their own topics. In the past, topics ranged from science communication to mental health & resilience. 

Our mentoring programme is peer-to-peer based, i.e. alumni of the programme mentor current participants. Mentors share their expertise in navigating the FST programme, while mentees contribute their own insights and experiences. The goal is mutual growth rather than direct career guidance. You’ll meet in 3 formal meetings (FST organised) and at least 2 informal meetings during the programme year.  

 We expect participants to actively contribute to the programme and community:  

• Engage in Peer-to-Peer Learning: Share skills and insights in interactive sessions and small group discussions. 
• Mentor the Next Cohort: Support future participants through mentorship, offering guidance to help them thrive in the upcoming cohort.
• Initiate and Engage in Community Events: Organise engaging events like panel discussions or knowledge-sharing sessions that bring added value to the community. 
• Be Proactive and Collaborative: Enthusiastically participate in programme workshops, contribute ideas, and foster a positive and supportive atmosphere for all participants.  

Furthermore, we expect you to follow our guidelines and contribute to the continuous evaluation of the programme (for example by filling in our surveys). 

No, you are not obliged to participate in all the programme components we offer. However, we expect participants to attend 80% of the programme, if your time zone allows doing so. Yes, we record the online sessions and/or document them on paper in case you couldn't attend a session. 

The Intensive Track is free of charge. Travel and accommodation costs are covered by the Falling Walls Foundation. 

Selected participants will attend two in-person Gatherings (Int. Spring and Fall Gathering) in May & November. The Falling Walls Foundation provides for accommodation & catering and reimburses your costs for trains, flights & public transportation. In case of overseas flights (from outside Europe) we’ll book the flights for you. Taxi travels as well as travel insurance are excluded from this due to budget restrictions.  

Extension of your stay in Berlin 

Arrival or departure up to 5 days before or 5 days after the event dates is possible if the offer is not more expensive than the original trip (comparison of offers is needed). 

Visa 

Falling Walls assists with the invitation and procedure. After receiving an invitation from us, participants start immediately applying for their visa, as it can take up to 8–12 weeks. We provide additional documents such as proof of accommodation. We do not cover for expenses related to visa applications. 

Travel Reimbursement – Process 

We reimburse your costs for trains, flights & public transportation. In short: You pay and keep the receipts, and we reimburse you after the event - after receiving your travel documentation. In case of overseas flights, we pay the flights for you.