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About Falling Walls

 is an international three-day conference held in Berlin each year inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989. The question of every Falling Walls gathering is: Which walls will fall next? The conference fosters discussion on research and innovation and promotes the latest scientific findings.

The goal of the  is to advance scientific and entrepreneurial visions, and to initiate and promote exchange between outstanding talents and innovative thinkers across disciplines. The Lab is a fast-paced and exciting event that provides a platform for young researchers to share their ideas for solving grand challenges to help shape a more sustainable future.

Falling Walls Labs are organised by independent partners of Falling Walls Foundation and are held in with the winners from each Lab being invited to present at the Falling Walls Lab global finale in Berlin on 7 November 2025.

Falling Walls Lab Australia

In Australia, Lab participants compete in state heats, with the winners travelling to Canberra to participate in the Falling Walls Lab Australia Finale on 1 September 2025.

In 2025, there are six heats taking place across Australia, with applications now open or opening soon.

Falling Walls Lab Adelaide, hosted by the University of Adelaide

Applications opening soon

Falling Walls Lab Brisbane, hosted by UniSQ

(Applications accepted from QLD and NT)

Applications opening soon

Falling Walls Lab Hobart, hosted by the University of Tasmania

Applications opening soon

Falling Walls Lab Melbourne, hosted by Bio21 and the University of Melbourne

Falling Walls Lab Perth, hosted by Forest Research Foundation

Applications opening soon

Falling Walls Lab Sydney

(Applications accepted from NSW and ACT)

Applications opening soon

Eligibility criteria

You must be 18 years or older when submitting your application. You must fulfil at least one of the following formal requirements:

• You are currently enrolled in university
• You are currently a postdoc
• You received a Bachelor’s degree no more than 10 years ago
• You received a Master’s degree no more than 7 years ago
• You received a PhD no more than 5 years ago

Note: An MD (medical degree excl. a doctoral dissertation) is considered equivalent to a Master’s degree. A Dr. med. (medical degree incl. a doctoral dissertation) is considered equivalent to a PhD.

Candidates should be active researchers in any field of the natural sciences, including technology, engineering and medicine, or arts, humanities and social sciences. Past participants are not eligible to apply.

Falling Walls Lab Australia Finale

On Monday 1 September 2025, the ¾«¶«ÊÓƵ will host the 10th Falling Walls Lab Australia Finale at the iconic Shine Dome in Canberra, and free registration to be part of the audience is now open.

Winners of the state labs will compete, each giving a three-minute presentation on their research, business model or initiative. The jury of eminent judges from academia, business and government will select the most innovative and promising ideas, with three winners chosen to represent the country in Berlin, amongst 97 other finalists selected from Labs across the globe.

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Finale event details

Date: Monday 1 September 2025

Time: 2.30pm to 6.00pm AEST

• Registrations open and lunch available: 1.30pm
• Event starts: 2.30pm
• Afternoon tea during jury deliberations: 4.00pm
• Announcement of winners: 4.45pm
• Cocktail Reception: 5.00pm–6.00pm

Venue: The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Canberra

Join the audience!

Anyone can join the audience – entry is free and includes catering. However, book early as seats are limited and will fill quickly!

Event partners

Contact

Lynn Allan, International Project Officer
Phone: 02 6201 9461
Email: fallingwalls@science.org.au