Deadline: 10-Jul-2026
Falling Walls Lab Zurich enables students and early-career professionals to present innovative ideas that address global challenges through a concise pitch format. The programme is open to eligible individuals across academic disciplines and focuses on interdisciplinary innovation, scientific problem-solving, academic research, and entrepreneurial presentation skills.
Programme Overview
Falling Walls Lab Zurich is a pitch competition designed for students, researchers, and early-career professionals who want to present breakthrough ideas in a clear and concise format.
The programme gives participants a platform to share innovative research, academic concepts, entrepreneurial ideas, and solutions that respond to global challenges. Selected participants are expected to present their ideas in English.
Falling Walls Lab Zurich is not a grant-providing organisation. It is a pitch-based platform that helps innovators communicate their ideas, demonstrate impact, and connect with a wider innovation and research community.
Purpose of the Programme
The purpose of Falling Walls Lab Zurich is to encourage new ideas that can contribute to science, society, research, technology, entrepreneurship, and global problem-solving.
The programme supports individuals who can present a strong idea in a short and impactful way. It helps participants improve their communication, pitching, and public presentation skills while showcasing interdisciplinary innovation.
Key Focus Areas
The programme focuses on breakthrough ideas across all academic disciplines and fields of study.
Key focus areas include:
- Interdisciplinary innovation
- Scientific problem-solving
- Academic research
- Entrepreneurial pitching
- Global challenges
- Breakthrough ideas
- Innovation across all fields of study
- Research-based solutions
- Early-career innovation
- Concise idea presentation
- Public communication of science and research
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is limited to individuals who are at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following academic conditions:
- Be currently enrolled as a university student
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree completed within the last 10 years
- Hold a Master’s degree completed within the last 7 years
- Hold a PhD obtained within the last 5 years
The programme recognises global variations in academic qualifications and applies equivalency rules where needed.
Medical Degree Eligibility
Medical qualifications are assessed according to degree equivalency rules.
Eligibility rules for medical degrees include:
- A standard medical degree without a doctoral dissertation is treated as equivalent to a Master’s degree.
- A Dr. med. with a doctoral dissertation is treated as equivalent to a PhD.
This framework helps ensure fair eligibility assessment for applicants from different academic systems.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Applicants may not be eligible if they do not meet the age or academic requirements.
Applicants should also note the following conditions:
- Participation is for individuals only.
- Selected participants must present in English.
- Applicants should apply to the Falling Walls Lab closest to their geographic location.
- Travel and accommodation expenses are not covered unless explicitly stated by local organisers.
- Falling Walls Lab Zurich is a pitch competition and does not provide grants.
Pitch Format
Falling Walls Lab Zurich uses a concise pitch format that requires participants to present their idea clearly and effectively.
A strong pitch should explain:
- The problem being addressed
- The proposed idea or solution
- The breakthrough or innovative element
- The relevance to global challenges
- The potential impact on science, society, research, or entrepreneurship
The pitch should be simple, structured, and easy for a broad audience to understand.
Travel and Accommodation Guidance
Applicants must apply to the Falling Walls Lab that is geographically closest to them.
Participation in Falling Walls Lab Zurich does not include travel or accommodation support unless local organisers explicitly state otherwise. Applicants considering participation from outside the local area should review this condition carefully before applying.
Why This Programme Matters
Falling Walls Lab Zurich matters because it gives emerging innovators a platform to present ideas that can address global challenges.
Many students and early-career professionals have strong research concepts, social innovations, scientific solutions, or entrepreneurial ideas but need opportunities to communicate them effectively. This programme helps participants refine their message, present their work publicly, and connect with broader academic and innovation networks.
The programme also promotes interdisciplinary thinking by welcoming breakthrough ideas from all fields of study and research disciplines.
How the Programme Works
Falling Walls Lab Zurich operates as a pitch competition.
The process generally includes:
- Eligible applicants prepare an innovative idea or breakthrough concept.
- Applicants submit their application in English.
- Selected participants are invited to present their idea.
- Participants deliver a concise pitch focused on the problem, solution, innovation, and impact.
- Ideas are assessed based on originality, clarity, relevance, and potential contribution to science and society.
- Participants gain exposure to academic, research, entrepreneurial, and innovation networks.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear application that presents one strong breakthrough idea.
Application Preparation Steps
- Check age eligibility
Confirm that you are at least 18 years old at the time of application. - Check academic eligibility
Ensure that you meet one of the academic requirements related to current university enrolment, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, PhD, or recognised medical degree equivalency. - Choose one breakthrough idea
Select an innovative idea that addresses a meaningful problem or global challenge. - Write the application in English
Applications and selected pitches must be presented in English. - Apply to the nearest Falling Walls Lab
Applicants should apply to the lab closest to their geographic location. - Prepare a concise pitch
Structure the pitch around the problem, solution, innovation, and expected impact. - Check travel and accommodation conditions
Confirm whether local organisers provide any travel or accommodation support before applying from outside the area.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting ideas that are unclear, too broad, or difficult to explain in a short pitch.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying without meeting the age requirement
- Applying without meeting the academic eligibility conditions
- Submitting an idea that is too general
- Not explaining the breakthrough element clearly
- Failing to connect the idea to global challenges
- Using overly technical language without explanation
- Assuming the programme provides grant funding
- Assuming travel or accommodation costs are covered
- Applying to a lab that is not geographically closest without checking guidance
- Preparing a pitch that does not clearly show impact
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should present one focused idea with clear relevance and measurable potential.
Applicants should:
- Explain the problem in simple terms
- Present a clear and original solution
- Show why the idea is innovative
- Connect the idea to science, society, or global challenges
- Use direct and accessible language
- Avoid unnecessary technical detail
- Keep the pitch concise and structured
- Highlight interdisciplinary value where relevant
- Demonstrate potential impact
- Make the idea memorable for a broad audience
Key Terms Explained
Falling Walls Lab
Falling Walls Lab is a pitch platform where students and early-career professionals present breakthrough ideas in a concise format.
Breakthrough Idea
A breakthrough idea is an original concept, research insight, solution, or innovation that can create meaningful progress in science, society, entrepreneurship, or global problem-solving.
Pitch Competition
A pitch competition is an event where participants present ideas within a limited time and are assessed on clarity, originality, relevance, and impact.
Interdisciplinary Innovation
Interdisciplinary innovation refers to ideas that combine knowledge from different fields, disciplines, or sectors to solve problems in new ways.
Early-Career Professional
An early-career professional is someone in the early stage of their academic, research, or professional journey, often within a defined number of years after completing a degree.
Global Challenges
Global challenges are major problems affecting societies, economies, environments, health systems, or communities worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Falling Walls Lab Zurich?
Falling Walls Lab Zurich is a pitch competition that enables students and early-career professionals to present innovative ideas addressing global challenges.
Is Falling Walls Lab Zurich a grant programme?
No. Falling Walls Lab Zurich is not a grant-providing organisation. It operates as a pitch competition.
Who can apply?
Individuals who are at least 18 years old and meet the academic eligibility criteria can apply.
What academic conditions must applicants meet?
Applicants must be current university students, or they must have completed a Bachelor’s degree within the last 10 years, a Master’s degree within the last 7 years, or a PhD within the last 5 years.
Are medical degrees accepted?
Yes. A standard medical degree without a doctoral dissertation is treated as equivalent to a Master’s degree, while a Dr. med. with a doctoral dissertation is treated as equivalent to a PhD.
What language must participants use?
Applications and selected pitches must be presented in English.
Are travel and accommodation costs covered?
Travel and accommodation expenses are not covered unless local organisers explicitly state otherwise.
Where should applicants apply?
Applicants should apply to the Falling Walls Lab that is geographically closest to them.
Conclusion
Falling Walls Lab Zurich provides students and early-career professionals with a valuable platform to present breakthrough ideas that address global challenges. Although it is not a grant programme, it offers participants an opportunity to communicate innovative research, academic concepts, and entrepreneurial solutions in a concise English-language pitch format while connecting with broader science, innovation, and research communities.
For more information, visit Falling Walls Foundation.