Deadline: 03-Jul-2026
The Falling Walls Lab Pitch Competition is an international platform that invites students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and early-career professionals to present breakthrough ideas that can help overcome scientific, social, or technological challenges. Participants are given just three minutes to pitch an innovative concept that demonstrates how a specific “wall” can be broken to create positive impact for science and society.
The competition promotes interdisciplinary innovation and provides emerging talents with an opportunity to showcase ideas, gain visibility, and connect with a global network of innovators and changemakers.
About the Falling Walls Lab
Falling Walls Lab is designed to identify and support exceptional ideas from a wide range of disciplines and sectors. The programme encourages participants to communicate complex concepts in a concise and compelling format while highlighting solutions to real-world challenges.
Each participant delivers a three-minute presentation explaining a breakthrough idea, research project, innovation, initiative, or entrepreneurial solution that contributes to social, scientific, economic, environmental, or technological progress.
The competition welcomes ideas from all academic and professional backgrounds, reflecting its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Competition Objective
The programme aims to:
- Identify breakthrough ideas with the potential to create meaningful impact
- Promote innovation across scientific, social, and technological fields
- Encourage interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration
- Support emerging researchers and innovators
- Strengthen science communication skills
- Connect participants with international innovation networks
- Showcase solutions to global and local challenges
The central theme revolves around answering the question: “Which wall will your idea break?”
Pitch Format
Participants are required to present their idea in a concise and engaging format.
Key requirements include:
- A presentation lasting no longer than three minutes
- A clear explanation of the problem being addressed
- A description of the innovative solution or breakthrough
- Demonstration of potential impact on science or society
- Presentation delivered in English
- Individual participation only
The competition emphasizes clarity, originality, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively within a limited timeframe.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to students and early-career professionals from all disciplines who are at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Eligible applicants include:
- University students currently enrolled in a degree programme
- Individuals who completed a Bachelor’s degree within the last 10 years
- Individuals who completed a Master’s degree within the last 7 years
- Individuals who completed a PhD within the last 5 years
- Researchers
- Scientists
- Innovators
- Entrepreneurs
- Professionals from any academic or professional field
The competition encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Degree Equivalency Rules
Special eligibility rules apply to medical degrees.
These include:
- A medical degree without a doctoral dissertation is considered equivalent to a Master’s degree
- A Dr. med. degree with a doctoral dissertation is considered equivalent to a PhD
Applicants should use the appropriate eligibility category when applying.
Application Requirements
Applicants must comply with the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of submission
- Submit an individual application
- Prepare and present in English
- Apply to the nearest local Falling Walls Lab
- Meet the academic eligibility criteria
- Submit only one application
Only individual applications are accepted, and team submissions are not permitted.
Ineligibility Criteria
Applicants are not eligible if they:
- Previously participated in a Falling Walls Lab
- Submit more than one application
- Do not meet the academic eligibility requirements
- Apply outside the designated local Lab structure
- Submit presentations in a language other than English
The programme aims to provide opportunities to new participants and maintain a fair selection process.
What Makes a Strong Pitch?
Successful pitches typically demonstrate:
- A clearly defined problem or challenge
- An innovative and practical solution
- Strong scientific, social, or technological relevance
- Potential for measurable impact
- Clear and concise communication
- Originality and creativity
- A compelling explanation of how a specific “wall” can be broken
Participants should focus on communicating their ideas in a simple, engaging, and memorable manner.
Tips for Applicants
Before submitting an application, consider the following:
- Clearly identify the challenge your idea addresses
- Focus on the impact rather than technical complexity alone
- Practice delivering the pitch within three minutes
- Use simple and accessible language
- Highlight what makes your idea unique
- Demonstrate why the solution matters to society
- Structure the presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and conclusion
Strong communication can be just as important as the innovation itself.
Travel and Participation Information
Applicants should be aware that:
- No application fee is required
- No ticket purchase is required to apply
- Travel costs are generally not covered
- Accommodation costs are generally not covered
- Funding for travel or accommodation may only be available if explicitly stated by local organisers
Participants should review the conditions of their local Falling Walls Lab for any location-specific arrangements.
Why the Competition Matters
The Falling Walls Lab provides an opportunity for emerging innovators to gain exposure, develop presentation skills, and connect with a global community of researchers and entrepreneurs.
The programme helps participants:
- Showcase innovative ideas
- Strengthen science communication abilities
- Gain recognition for breakthrough concepts
- Connect with experts and innovators
- Build international networks
- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration
- Contribute solutions to societal challenges
By encouraging innovative thinking across disciplines, the competition supports the development of ideas that can create meaningful change.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Falling Walls Lab Pitch Competition?
It is an international competition where participants present breakthrough ideas in a three-minute pitch focused on overcoming scientific, social, or technological challenges. - Who can apply?
Students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and early-career professionals who meet the programme’s academic eligibility requirements and are at least 18 years old. - What language must the presentation be delivered in?
All submissions and presentations must be in English. - Can teams apply?
No. Only individual applications are accepted. - Can previous participants apply again?
No. Individuals who have previously participated in a Falling Walls Lab are not eligible. - Are travel and accommodation costs covered?
Generally, no. These costs are only covered if explicitly stated by the local organisers. - How many applications can an individual submit?
Only one application is permitted per applicant.
Conclusion
The Falling Walls Lab Pitch Competition offers students and early-career innovators a unique opportunity to present breakthrough ideas that address important scientific, social, and technological challenges. Through a concise three-minute pitch format, participants can showcase innovative solutions, expand their networks, and contribute to meaningful change. By bringing together talent from diverse disciplines, the programme continues to foster creativity, innovation, and impactful problem-solving on a global scale.
For more information, visit Falling Walls Foundation.
