Falling Walls Lab Edmonton

The 2024 application period is open.

In your application, you will be asked to provide information about yourself and your studies and to briefly describe your project, the problem it addresses and the solutions it offers. You can also link to a video or project website, if applicable.

Applications are submitted centrally via the Falling Walls Lab Edmonton page.

The Falling Walls Lab team prescreens all applications based on the eligibility criteria and forwards the applications to the international Lab organizers.

The international Lab organizers screen applications and select 15–20 candidates based on the following criteria:

• Individual: Quality of innovative idea, education and academic grade, relevant work experience
• Group composition: Gender balance, diversity (nationality, discipline, etc.).

Undergraduate and master’s students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows (PDF), early-career professionals and entrepreneurs from all disciplines are invited to apply.

Applicants must fulfill at least one of the following formal requirements: 

• They must be currently enrolled in university and/or are currently a PDF
• They received a bachelor’s degree no more than 10 years ago
• They received a master’s degree no more than seven years ago
• They received a PhD no more than five years ago

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.

The eligibility criteria apply to all international Labs. No exceptions are permitted, ensuring participation is open to students and staff from any university and across various academic disciplines.

Age

Participants must be of full age according to their domestic legislation or older and no younger than 18 years old. Their legal age status must be confirmed by the international Lab organizer before participation.

Multiple Participation

If an applicant presented at an international Falling Walls Lab or at the Falling Walls Lab finale before December 2023, they are not allowed to apply or participate again.

Group Participation

Groups are not allowed to present at a Falling Walls Lab. Only a single person may apply and present. Presenters must outline their own contribution if a project was a group effort.

Date: Friday September 20, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm MDT
Location: TBA

Falling Walls Lab Edmonton is an in-person event. 

The jury evaluates based on the following criteria:

1. Breakthrough Factor: How innovative is the proposed idea? (50%)
2. Relevance/Impact: How relevant is the idea for the discipline and beyond? (40%)
3. Structure/Performance: How convincing was the presentation? (10%)

The jury shall decide at its own discretion.

International Lab winners get the opportunity to travel to Berlin, Germany for the finale where they will:

• Compete in the Falling Walls Lab finale to become one of three Breakthrough Winners in the Emerging Talents category of Falling Walls
• Participate in an exclusive extended programme
  • Past programme points have included:
    • A professional pitch coaching session
    • Networking lunch and “Insights into German Research” information session
    • Dinner hosted by the German Research Foundation (DFG)
    • Hangout with Springer Nature on Science Communication & Publishing
• Attend the prestigious Falling Walls Science Summit (November 7-9)
• Network with winners and Falling Walls Science Summit participants
• Increase their project‘s global reach and visibility with a pitch video in the Falling Walls Content Library
• Join the global Falling Walls Lab alumni community

What is the timeline for applying to and participating in Falling Walls Lab Edmonton?

• August 12, 2024 - Application Deadline
• Late August/Early September, 2024 - Applications will be adjudicated (applicants may be invited to meet with the judges for a short interview).
• Early September, 2024 - 15-20 successful applicants will be invited to present their pitch at the Falling Walls Edmonton Lab.
• September 20, 2024 - The Falling Walls Edmonton Lab will be held at 4 p.m. MDT. The winner will be announced at the Lab.
• November 7-9, 2024 - The winner will deliver their pitch at Falling Walls Lab in Berlin and attend the Falling Walls Science Summit.

Does the winner have to cover the cost of going to Berlin?

Flights to Berlin from Edmonton and back again, as well as accommodation in Berlin for the duration of the Falling Walls Science Summit, will be arranged and covered by event sponsors.

Is Falling Walls Lab Edmonton a hybrid event?

No. Falling Walls Lab Edmonton is an in-person event. Applicants invited to present their pitch will be expected to deliver it in person.

Will applicants invited to present their pitch at Falling Walls Lab Edmonton receive any instruction or coaching?

Yes. There will be an opportunity for applicants who are invited to present at Falling Walls Lab Edmonton to take part in a coaching workshop.