Falling Walls Lab Barcelona

Falling Walls Lab is coming to Barcelona for the first time. This international event brings together students and early-career professionals to present, in just 3 minutes, an innovative idea that can generate a positive impact on science and society.

Applications are open until 18 May 2026.

The winner of Falling Walls Lab Barcelona will travel to Berlin to participate in the Global Finale of the Falling Walls Lab, which will take place during the Falling Walls Science Summit.

Falling Walls Lab is a prestigious international pitch competition organised by the Falling Walls Foundation, a global initiative that connects science, innovation and society. In this dynamic format, participants present their breakthrough idea in just three minutes, sharing solutions that can help tackle the major challenges of our time.

Each year, between February and September, renowned academic institutions worldwide organise their own Falling Walls Labs to showcase the quality, diversity and passion of the most innovative minds in their region. One hundred international Lab winners qualify for the Global Finale in Berlin, held during the Falling Walls Science Summit, where they have the opportunity to interact with international leaders from the worlds of science, business and policymaking. In 2025, the programme received more than 2,700 applications from 104 countries, with 82 Labs organised in 60 countries and a global community of more than 1,400 alumni since 2011.

During their multi-day stay in Berlin, the international Lab winners take part in an extended programme through which they gain valuable insights into Germany’s research landscape and the opportunities it offers to international researchers.

In 2026, Barcelona joins this international network for the first time, hosting the Falling Walls Lab at StartUB! – Universitat de Barcelona. This event will be a unique opportunity to showcase the innovative talent of the university community and connect with a global scientific platform.

The call is open to students and early-career researchers from the University of Barcelona as well as those who are part of the XEU – Xarxa d’Emprenedoria Universitària de Catalunya, offering them the opportunity to gain international visibility for their ideas.

Falling Walls Lab Barcelona aims to:

• Promote science communication and innovation among students and early-career researchers.
• Give visibility to disruptive ideas with potential social, scientific or technological impact.
• Connect emerging talent with an international network of innovation and science.
• Encourage the participation of the university community in global entrepreneurship and research initiatives.

The call is addressed to students and early-career professionals from the University of Barcelona and from Catalan universities that are part of the Xarxa d’Emprenedoria Universitària (XEU).

Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Students currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree programme.
• Individuals who obtained a bachelor’s degree in 2016 or later.
• Individuals who obtained a master’s degree in 2019 or later.
• Individuals who obtained a PhD in 2021 or later.
• Early-career professionals or researchers.

Additionally:

• Participants must be at least 18 years old.
• Participation is individual (group presentations are not allowed).
• If the idea was developed within a team, the participant must clearly explain their personal contribution.
• The presentation must be delivered in English.
• Each participant will deliver a 3-minute pitch.

Participating in Falling Walls Lab Barcelona offers the opportunity to:

• Present your idea to a jury of experts in innovation and science.
• Become part of an international community of young innovators.
• Gain international visibility for your research or project.
• Connect with researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals from the scientific ecosystem.

The process will take place in the following stages:

1. Open call: Applications can be submitted until 18 May 2026.
2. Selection of finalists: A committee will evaluate the applications and select the participants who will present their pitch at the event.
3. Falling Walls Lab Barcelona: StartUB! – Universitat de Barcelona | 18 June 2026. Each participant will present their idea in a 3-minute pitch before a jury.
4. Global Finale – Berlin: The winner will represent Barcelona at the Global Finale of the Falling Walls Lab, which will take place at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin from 6 to 9 November 2026.

If you have an innovative idea that can help solve one of the major challenges of our time, this is your moment.

Submit your application before 18 May 2026.

Application form

Participation in Falling Walls Lab Barcelona is subject to the eligibility criteria and rules established by the international organisation. Key points include:

• Individual participation.
• Presentation in English.
• A 3-minute pitch.
• Compliance with the established academic eligibility requirements.
• Availability to travel to Berlin if selected as the winner.

You can consult all the details here: Full terms and conditions

The Falling Walls Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Berlin dedicated to supporting science and the humanities. It is a unique international platform that brings together leaders from the worlds of science, business, politics, the arts and society. Falling Walls fosters discussion on research and innovation and promotes the latest scientific findings to a global audience.

Falling Walls Lab
lab@falling-walls.com
www.falling-walls.com/lab
@Falling Walls Lab