Falling Walls Science Summit 2024

The observation and understanding of natural phenomena of the earth, atmosphere and space, e.g. chemistry, physics, astronomy.

Go to Category Page.

Artists whose work is inspired and influenced by science, which sheds light on societal issues, natural phenomena or simply the wonder of scientific discoveries.

Go to Category Page.

Throughout the year, renowned academic institutions around the world host international Falling Walls Labs to showcase the quality, diversity, and passion of their region’s most innovative minds. In three minutes each, participants are given the opportunity to present their solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time to peers, a high-calibre jury of experts from academia and business, and the general public.

At the global finale, the international Lab winners compete to become the Breakthrough Winner in the Emerging Talents category of Falling Walls, taking home the title and prize money, and receiving the opportunity to pitch their idea once again on the Falling Walls Breakthrough Day stage, which, throughout the day, hosts leading experts, changemakers, and luminaries.

Innovative start-ups that have translated breakthrough scientific thinking into promising business models. This category is related to Falling Walls Venture.

Go to Category Page

Innovative start-ups that have translated breakthrough scientific thinking into promising business models. This category is related to Falling Walls Engage.

Go to Category Page.

Excellence in interdisciplinary research and engagement contributing to gender equality, diversity in science and academia, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This category is related to Falling Walls Female Science Talents. *Falling Walls Female Science Talents uses an inclusive definition of women and welcomes submissions from cis and trans women, genderqueer and non-binary people.

Go to Category Page.

The Falling Walls Science Summit is a leading international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral forum for scientific breakthroughs. It commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall and aims to promote dialogue between science and society. 

The Falling Walls Science Summit 2024 is set to take place from 7 to 9 November 2024. 

New Venue: Falling Walls Science House

With our change of venue in 2024 to the Falling Walls Science House, Karl-Marx-Allee 34, 10178 Berlin – we are opening up new perspectives, bright rooms and a historically characterised space in Berlin for partners, scientists and guests. With steadfast solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine, we are transitioning into the heritage-listed buildings of Café Moskau and Salon Babette.

Falling Walls Science Summit is open to all science enthusiasts. It brings together leading researchers and decision-makers from business, academia, and government to address global challenges. 

Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year is a title awarded annually. It recognizes the most prominent scientific breakthroughs across various categories of the Falling Walls Global Call. The laureates present their breakthrough work to a global audience on 9 November 2024 on our stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin. 

To become a Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year, start by participating in the Falling Walls Global Call across various categories. The successful nominations are shortlisted as finalists, which are then assessed by a panel of judges to determine the winners. From these winners, the juries select the Science Breakthroughs of the Year. The laureates are highlighted at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin on 9 November. 

There are several ways to participate in the Falling Walls Science Summit:  

• Purchase the ticket and partake as an audience member.  
• Participate in our Global Call for a chance to present your breakthrough on stage.  
• Join us online from anywhere in the world via the livestream. 
• Become a partner and help us shape the Falling Walls Science Summit. 

The events are held in English. 

The first confirmed speakers and topics will be revealed in our newsletter and on our social media channels. The online programme will be published in September.