Deadline: 15 May 2022
The value of breakthrough research has hardly ever been more evident as it is in the groundbreaking work of scientists that will allow us to overcome the challenges of the 21st century.
To honor this important work, the Falling Walls Foundation is looking for scientists and leaders in their respective fields (as outlined below), whose groundbreaking work contributes towards solving the world’s biggest challenges to participate in our Global Call for nominations. Leading academics and academic institutions, universities, research organisations, companies, private and public research centres, academies, research funders, foundations, and individuals can nominate the latest breakthroughs. Individuals are also welcome to nominate themselves or the work of fellow scientists that they highly value. The 10 categories include:
1. Life Sciences
2. Physical Sciences
3. Engineering and Technology
4. Social Sciences and Humanities
5. Art and Science
6. Future Learning (formerly Digital Education)
7. Science and Innovation Management
8. Emerging Talents (Falling Walls Lab)
9. Science Start-ups (Falling Walls Venture)
10. Science Engagement (Falling Walls Engage)
HOW TO PARTICIPATE – THE FOUR STEPS
STEP 1 NOMINATION
Submit your nominations for Breakthrough of the Year via our form no later than 15 May 2022. To nominate someone or yourself, you will be asked to register, and then fill out some basic information about the person or project you wish to nominate. We advise you to submit your nomination as early as possible, so the nominee is able to accept the nomination and submit further information about their research or project before the deadline. Once your submission is made, the nominee will be contacted automatically with next steps regarding their nomination as Breakthrough of the Year in their respective category.
STEP 2 FINALISTS
If your Nominee is selected, they will then become a Falling Walls Finalist. The Finalists in the categories 1–7, 9, and 10 will be officially announced on our website.
STEP 3 WINNERS
Our distinguished juries, chaired by Helga Nowotny, President Emerita of the European Research Council, will select 10 Winners each for categories 1-7. Through the respective pre-selection processes, up to 100 Winners for category 8, 25 Winners for category 9, and 20 Winners for category 10 will be invited to the Falling Walls Pitches on 7 November, where they will have the opportunity to pitch their work live in front of our distinguished juries. Winners of the categories 1–7 will have the opportunity to feature their work in a short video in our content library.
STEP 4 THE SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGHS OF THE YEAR
The juries will select the Science Breakthroughs of the Year from the Winners of each category. On 9 November, the Breakthroughs of the Year will receive the opportunity to present their work to a global audience on the Breakthrough Stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin.
SCIENTISTS FROM THE GLOBAL SOUTH
The Falling Walls Foundation is committed to representing all global scientific achievement. To this end, scientists from the Global South are explicitly encouraged to participate.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
• Level of Innovation: The novelty and originality of the idea
• Breakthrough Potential: The extent of the paradigm shift it represents
• Societal Relevance: The significance for society today and in the future
• Scientific Excellence: The quality of the research and its long-term impact on the research landscape
The selection criteria vary depending on each category. Please read the detailed information about the 10 categories and their respective selection criteria.
You can submit a nomination or nominate yourself by visiting the website.