Falling Walls Science Summit
6-9 November, Falling Walls Science House | Karl-Marx-Allee 34 | Berlin or Online
Discover groundbreaking research, innovative ideas, and transformative global leaders from academia, business, politics, the media, and civil society, and the 2025 Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year Laureates.
Since 2009, the Falling Walls Science Summit has united the world’s greatest minds to break down barriers in science and innovation. We bring together global science leaders, business pioneers, and public sector visionaries to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and shape the future of the international innovation system—creating meaningful impact for humanity.
"Meet the brightest minds on the planet." - BBC
SPEAKERS & PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Meet Science Leaders and Academic Peers
Get to know the Speakers bringing their scientific breakthroughs to the Falling Walls Science Summit. Hailing from sectors as diverse as Physical Sciences and Art & Science, these world-leading academics share the insights and research redefining tomorrow.
Explore the full programme and meet our confirmed attendees.
Director General
Mark Thomson
CERN
German Research Minister
Dorothee Bär
Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space
Director General
Pietro Barabaschi
ITER Organization
Chairman & CEO
Antoine Petit
CNRS
Laboratory Director
Kimberly Budil
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Former Minister
Manuel Heitor
Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Portugal
Editor in Chief of Nature
Magdalena Skipper
Springer Nature
President of the Foundation Council
Wolfgang Ischinger
Munich Security Conference Foundation
President
Joël Mesot
ETH Zurich
INSIDE THE FALLING WALLS SCIENCE SUMMIT
What’s in Store
- Four days of scientific breakthroughs, networking, debate and innovation
- 80+ events: panel discussions, interviews, pitches, round tables, plenary tables and executive tables
- 500+ speakers and active participants
- 2,000+ international attendees—32% C-level, 43% expert level, 22% early career level
- 3,500+ nominations
- 150+ nominated countries
- 150+ winners
- 60+ hours of science video footage
The highlight of the Falling Walls Science Summit is the announcement of the Science Breakthroughs of the Year, which takes place on the final day. This award recognises the outstanding projects seeking to solve the greatest challenges of our time across nine categories:
Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Social Sciences & Humanities, Art & Science, Women’s Impact Award, Emerging Talents, Science Startup-Ups and Science Engagement.
PRESS ACCREDITATION
Press Accreditation for the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025 is available to journalists of all media (print, online, TV, radio, web TV, photography).
PRESS ACCREDITATION
Press Accreditation for the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025 is available to journalists of all media (print, online, TV, radio, web TV, photography).
FAQ
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 2025 is set to take place from 6 to 9 November 2025.
The Falling Walls Science Summit 2025 takes place at the Falling Walls Science House, Karl-Marx-Allee 34, 10178 Berlin.
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.
The tickets for the Falling Walls Science Summit are available in our ticket shop
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 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 Falling Walls Foundation is supported by numerous acclaimed academic institutions, foundations, companies, and non-governmental organisations. To become a partner, contact us via the E-Mail: info@falling-walls.com
The Falling Walls Science Summit showcases the latest breakthroughs and hosts discussions on pressing global issues. Events are organised into thematic clusters: Art & Science, Climate Crisis & Sustainability, Discovering Earth & Space, Emerging Talents (Lab), Engineering & Technology, Health & Wellbeing, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Science & Innovation Management, Science Engagement, Sciencepreneurship, Science Start-ups, Social Sciences & Humanities, and Planetary Health.
For a glimpse into last year's Falling Walls Science Summit, visit our YouTube channel.
The events are held in English.
The first confirmed speakers and topics will be revealed in our newsletter and on our social media channels. You can find this year's programme on our website.
Some events will be livestreamed. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media for updates.
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SCIENCE SUMMIT 2025