Falling Walls Lab 2026

23 February 2026 - 29 April 2026

Region(s): Nationwide, Wellington

Type(s): presentations, competitions

Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand is the national competition to select a winner from Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific Island Forum Nations to take part in the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale in Berlin. Participating in Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand is an opportunity for students and early-career professionals to pitch their breakthrough idea.

Share your idea and win a trip to Berlin, Germany on 6 November 2026. Great minds, 3 minutes, 1 day.

Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand is a challenging, inspiring and interdisciplinary pitch competition to showcase the next generation of students and early-career professionals from Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific Island Forum Nations.  

In a 3-minute presentation, participants will present their research, business model or innovative idea, showcasing a breakthrough that creates a positive impact on science and society. All disciplines are welcome: from agriculture, medicine, economics, engineering to social science and the humanities. The event is inspired by the world-changing event of the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989, with the question: Which walls will fall next?

Network with fellow innovators from different disciplines, equally passionate and inspired to showcase their solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time. 

Closing Date: Rāapa Wednesday 8 April 2026, Noon 12.00 pm (NZST).

For more information: www.royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/funds-and-opportunities/falling-walls-lab