A group of women sitting in the audience together, smiling, and active listening to a speaker off-the-picture.

International Fall Gathering 2026

Inspiring women leaders from science, business, and society will come together in Berlin for the International Fall Gathering 2026—a vibrant and exclusive event hosted by the Falling Walls Foundation in cooperation with the Bayer Foundation, Elsevier Foundation, Volkswagen Foundation, German Research Foundation and EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg.

As in previous years, the International Fall Gathering will take place on 6 November 2026 in Berlin, bringing our community together for a full day of exchange, inspiration, learning and celebration. The Gathering takes place on the first day of the Berlin Science Summit, taking place from 6-9 November 2026. The event will bring together the 20 Intensive Track 2026 participants, Women’s Impact Awards laureates, programme partners, alumni and other members of our community, alongside esteemed guests and voices from academia, policy, business and civil society.

The day will provide a space to explore what it means to lead, collaborate and create change in academia and beyond. Through a diverse programme of keynotes, conversations, interactive exchanges and workshops, participants will engage with themes including leadership and institutional change, responsibility and care, allyship, visibility, strategic partnerships, gender equity, and engagement across sectors and communities. From exploring new approaches to leadership and male allyship to developing skills for high-stakes networking, collaboration and storytelling, the day is designed to move beyond inspiration towards practical exchange, shared responsibility and concrete commitments for the future. Through these conversations and shared experiences, participants will be invited to reflect on how we can collectively shape more inclusive, equitable and supportive environments for science and society.

This signature event is part of the Female Science Talents Intensive Track, a year-long career development programme that supports 20 outstanding early-career women* in science from all disciplines. Participants engage in skill-building workshops, mentoring, and community-building events designed to enhance leadership, expand professional networks, and increase visibility for their research. The programme culminates in two high-level in-person gatherings in Berlin: the Spring and Fall Gatherings.

We look forward to welcoming our participants, speakers, and partners to Berlin for an inspiring and empowering experience that celebrates excellence, fosters collaboration, and strengthens a growing community of women in science.

Stay tuned for further updates—more information will be shared closer to the event date!

* Female Science Talents recognises that gender is not binary and welcomes submissions from cis and trans women, as well as genderqueer and non-binary people.