Falling Walls Lab Madrid, Spain 2026

Could you explain your breakthrough idea in three minutes? The new 2026 edition will be held in May at Falling Walls Lab Spain in Madrid!

Calendar

The key dates to note for this edition are:

• Submission of applications: at this link (https://falling-walls.com/falling-walls-lab-madrid-spain), until 31 March 2026. DEADLINE EXTENDED! You have until 12 April to register.
• Falling Walls Lab Madrid final: 29 May 2026
• Venue for the final: Auditorium of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Serrano 117th Street, 28006 Madrid

The event will be streamed live: link coming soon.

If you are interested in attending the final on 29 May as a audience, please register using this form: link coming soon.

Full programme: coming soon.

About Falling Walls Lab Madrid

Falling Walls showcases the positive impact that all ideas presented in science and society have, attempting to answer the question: What walls will fall from now on?

This event is inspired by one of the events that changed the world: the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989.

Since 2022, several institutions have been responsible for organising and developing the Spanish edition of Falling Walls Lab. It brings together students and early-career professionals to present their ideas or projects to an expert jury in order to select up to three winners to represent us in the global final, which takes place every November in Berlin. 

The institutions involved in this initiative are the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM), the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) through Compluemprende, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Madrid and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the Young Academy of Spain (AJdE).

How the dynamics work?

The fifteen finalists have three minutes to present their innovative idea in any field, such as natural sciences, physics, mathematics, engineering and technology, social sciences and humanities, and art and education, among others, in English. After all the presentations, a jury of experts will discuss and decide on the national winners. The entire event is recorded and streamed live to reach a wider audience. For this edition, the jury will be composed of experts from different fields.

The winners of the respective national competitions will participate in the final in Berlin, Falling Walls Lab, on 6 November 2027. They will compete with their ideas to win the ‘Young Innovator of the Year’ award. In addition, several cash prizes will be awarded by the organisation at a later date.

Before the final, participants will receive talks and training on how to start, develop and communicate their idea, as well as networking with companies and other participants to get their idea across to more people. This year, it will take place on 28 May at the Compluemprende (UCM) headquarters.

Who can take part as a candidate?

The requirements to participate as a contestant are:

• Age: You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application. There is no age limit for applicants.
   
• Education: You must meet at least one of the following requirements:
   
  • Be currently enrolled in university as a student.
     
  • Have obtained a bachelor's degree less than 10 years ago.
     
  • Have obtained a master's degree less than 7 years ago.
     
  • Have obtained a doctoral degree less than 5 years ago.

Participating in Falling Walls Lab is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Therefore, once you have participated in a Lab, you will no longer be able to apply for future Labs. 

Would you like to view previous editions?

Watch the summary videos of past editions:

Falling Walls Lab Spain 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9hiX_sAAQw

Falling Walls Lab Spain 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfy4axynQlw

Falling Walls Lab Madrid 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cTZSaZjJno

Falling Walls Lab Spain 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cC_O84ipcU

Do you have any questions or suggestions? You can consult the frequently asked questions (https://falling-walls.com/activities/lab/applicants) o send us an email at fallingwallsspain@gmail.com and culturacientifica@mncn.csic.es

 Organisers:

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