YOUR
IDEA
WILL BREAK
THE
WA
L
L
L
L
Present your research project
to an illustrious panel of jurors,
impress them
and get to the global stage!
to an illustrious panel of jurors,
impress them
and get to the global stage!
The Falling Walls Lab showcases the next generation of top researchers. In 3-minute talks, outstanding talents and innovative thinkers share their research projects, business models and social initiatives with an interdisciplinary audience and jury, competing for a monetary prize, worldwide recognition of their ideas and a chance to develop their projects.
HOW IT WORKS
Participants get the opportunity to present their research work, business model, or social initiative to a panel of high-calibre experts from academia and business - in a 3-minute pitch
The winner of Falling Walls Lab Moscow wins a trip to Berlin where he/she will present the same idea at the Grand Finale in front of a distinguished jury among 100 Finalists from all over the world
All finalists win a ticket to attend the Falling Walls Conference (the next day after Grand Finale) where they meet the world's movers and shakers of science, business, and policy-makers
Three winners of the Berlin Lab Finale receive a cash prize and the opportunity to give their talk on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Conference in front of 600 institution leaders and decision makers
I would HIGHLY recommend this event. Presenting your scientific work on an international level is an amazing experience. People of different mentalities and backgrounds with very enquiring minds will ask you so many questions about you, your professional development, field of research, You will see yourself from a completely different angle and find answers to what you haven't answered or confessed to yourself before.
Daria Buklesheva
Winner, Falling Walls Lab Moscow 2019
Finalist, Berlin 2019.
Finalist, Berlin 2019.
I consider the Falling Walls Lab 2019 the most influential conference in my career. The strict format forced me to reshape the way of presenting research results. After dozens of rehearsals, I reached the desired level of clarity and engagement and was able to give the best talk in my life. Moreover, watching the pitches of other participants, I realized how multifaceted research presentations could be. This is an inspiring event that simply takes you to the next level.
Andrey Churkin
2nd place, Falling Walls Lab Moscow 2019
Finalist, Berlin 2019
Finalist, Berlin 2019
HOW TO APPLY
1
Complete the application form to get further instructions on how to submit your idea (which will take no more than 10 minutes). Then, submit your idea before September 2, 2021.
2
A committee will make a pre-selection of candidates and we will get back to you within two weeks
3
If you are selected as one of the participants, we will invite you to the Moscow Round
(October 4 at 4pm)
(October 4 at 4pm)
4
The winner of the Moscow round will get a free ticket to the Grand Finale to present the idea
Three winners of the Berlin Lab Finale receive a cash prize and the opportunity to give their talk on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Conference on November 7-9, 2021 in front of 600 institution leaders and decision makers.
INNOVATION WEEK
Winners of the Falling Walls Labs who wish to establish a scientific start-up business in a STEM field will also be invited to join the Falling Walls Innovation week on November 15-19.
Innovation Week is a five-day program in which participants are comprehensively prepared for setting up a startup business. They will receive individual coaching, feedback, and an insight into the German start-up scene.
How to register: This event is only open to 15 Falling Walls Lab finalists worldwide. To apply for Innovation Week, you must first submit and present your idea to the Falling Walls Lab Moscow. If you become one of the winners, you must apply for Innovation Week within two weeks of the Falling Walls Lab (by October 15).
Innovation Week is a five-day program in which participants are comprehensively prepared for setting up a startup business. They will receive individual coaching, feedback, and an insight into the German start-up scene.
How to register: This event is only open to 15 Falling Walls Lab finalists worldwide. To apply for Innovation Week, you must first submit and present your idea to the Falling Walls Lab Moscow. If you become one of the winners, you must apply for Innovation Week within two weeks of the Falling Walls Lab (by October 15).
FAQ
Who can apply for the Falling Walls Lab?
The Falling Walls Lab addresses a broad range of people from all professional backgrounds and disciplines.
We are looking for:
If a person has a Bachelor's degree, the degree should not date back more than 10 years.
If a person has a Master's degree, the degree should not date back more than 7 years.
If a person has a PhD, the degree should not date back more than 5 years.
Postdocs and students currently enrolled in university are also eligible to apply.
The applicant has to be of legal age (18 years or older) in order to participate in the Falling Walls Lab.
We are looking for:
- Scholars, researchers and scientists (BA-students, MA-students, PhD-/ doctoral candidates and post-docs)
- Entrepreneurs, engineers and young professionals (Start-ups, inventions, initiatives and business ideas)
- Innovators from all areas – science, the humanities, arts, business and technology
If a person has a Bachelor's degree, the degree should not date back more than 10 years.
If a person has a Master's degree, the degree should not date back more than 7 years.
If a person has a PhD, the degree should not date back more than 5 years.
Postdocs and students currently enrolled in university are also eligible to apply.
The applicant has to be of legal age (18 years or older) in order to participate in the Falling Walls Lab.
We are working on a project as a group. Can we apply for a Lab as a group?
You cannot apply for a Lab as a group, as individual grades and the curriculum vitae of the applicant are important factors in the evaluation process of your application. If you are a member of a project group, please choose one representative to apply for the Lab. If you are selected to participate in a Lab, your group representative will present your project. You are obviously free to include the names of the group members on your presentation slides in order to acknowledge and appreciate the group effort behind the project. However, it is important that you clearly highlight the extent of your individual contribution to the project.
Are there any costs for participating?
After applying, the selected participants will be invited to join the Falling Walls Lab. There are no costs/fees for participating.
If you apply for an international Falling Walls Lab and you don't live near the city you selected, you will have to make your own arrangements for travel and accommodation. The Falling Walls Foundation and international Lab organisers cannot cover any of your costs.
The winners of each international Falling Walls Lab qualify for the Falling Walls Lab Finale on 8 November in Berlin. The hosting institutions for each Lab cover your travel epenses to Berlin. A scholarship will cover your accommodation expenses at our partner hotel from 8 to 9 November and a ticket to the Falling Walls Conference on 9 November.
If you apply for an international Falling Walls Lab and you don't live near the city you selected, you will have to make your own arrangements for travel and accommodation. The Falling Walls Foundation and international Lab organisers cannot cover any of your costs.
The winners of each international Falling Walls Lab qualify for the Falling Walls Lab Finale on 8 November in Berlin. The hosting institutions for each Lab cover your travel epenses to Berlin. A scholarship will cover your accommodation expenses at our partner hotel from 8 to 9 November and a ticket to the Falling Walls Conference on 9 November.
What does a day at the Lab look like?
All Falling Walls Labs start with a short welcome and introduction speech. The moderator introduces the jury members and addresses the participants with a final briefing on the schedule of the event. The presentations will take place in a certain order, which is indicated on a list handed out to all candidates in the beginning of the event. Each presenter has three minutes to deliver their idea to the audience and the jury. The presenters can visualise their concepts using a PowerPoint template, which will be provided by the organisers. After each presentation, the audience can ask questions and make comments. When the time has run out, the next presenter takes over the podium.
After the last session, the jury evaluates the presentations and announces the winners. The day will be concluded with a reception and the opportunity for further discussion and networking.
After the last session, the jury evaluates the presentations and announces the winners. The day will be concluded with a reception and the opportunity for further discussion and networking.
I don't have a breakthrough yet. Can I participate anyway?
By breakthrough we understand an idea, a research project, a business model or social initiative, which is at the same time original and new, innovative (overcoming old ideas and concepts) and relevant to the problems of the world today. This means that your breakthrough could be a project you already realised, a research topic you are developing or a business idea yet to be built up. Our jury members will appreciate authentic presenters with a vision and proof of concept.
To present my idea in 3 minutes sounds impossible. How should that work?
You will find out that it works – and preparing your 3-minute presentation will provide you with a new perspective on the topics you are working with. Having to shape your topic into a so-called "elevator pitch" is a challenging restriction on the one hand – but it also emphasises what is most essential about the idea: What it is, how it works and what it can be used for.
Hint: to visualise your presentation explain to us which wall you would like to break down, why it exists and how you intend to break it.
Hint: to visualise your presentation explain to us which wall you would like to break down, why it exists and how you intend to break it.
By which criteria does the jury evaluate the presentations?
The jury looks at three different criteria: The "breakthrough factor" indicates if an idea is a real innovation, if it is original and catchy and has the potential to inspire other ideas. Secondly, they will look at the relevance and the scope of impact of your work. Does it make a valuable contribution to progress; does it address an existing or imminent problem or even offer solutions to it? The third category is related to the presenter and presentation itself: Did the participants deliver their presentations well? Did they explain their ideas in a clear and understandable way? Does the presenter show a proof of concept?
Can I apply for more than one Falling Walls Lab at the same time?
No, you cannot apply for multiple Labs at the same time. However, if you were not selected to participate in a Lab you can apply for another one. In the case that you have already participated in one Lab, you cannot apply for another one.
The same goes for multiple projects you might have in your pipeline: you may only submit one application/idea for one Lab at a time.
The same goes for multiple projects you might have in your pipeline: you may only submit one application/idea for one Lab at a time.
QUESTIONS?
Contact us: falling-walls@skoltech.ru