Falling Walls Engage 2024

The Falling Walls Engage Pitches take place in Berlin every year on 7 November as part of the Falling Walls Science Summit from 7-10 November, an in-person event that brings together the science community internationally.

It is a great opportunity for selected Science Engagement practitioners to gain international visibility and connect with other inspiring practitioners engaging audiences with science all around the world. 

Find out on this page how you can apply and what the process will be like.

How to apply

• STEP 1: click on “Apply Here”
• STEP 2: Register for our platform
• STEP 3: Choose “I want to apply directly”
• STEP 4: Choose the category “Science Engagement”
• STEP 5: Fill in your application
• Get a confirmation email with further information regarding the competition process.
• Applications close: 1 Mai 2024  (23:59 CEST)

Selection process and timeline

STEP 1 – 50 Finalists

A pre-selection committee will go through all received applications and select 50 Finalists (June)

• A list of the 50 Finalists with their project websites and social media handles will be published on the Falling Walls Engage website (June/July)
• Onboarding into our global community of Science Engagers via a virtual community session 

STEP 2 – 20 Winners

An Advisory Board will select 20 Winners (July/August)

• A list of the 20 Winners with their project websites and social media handles will be published on the Falling Walls Engage website (July/August)
• Digital pitch training workshop (October)
• Onboarding into our global community of Science Engagers via a virtual community session 

STEP 3 – 1 Breakthrough of the Year

A Jury will select 1 Breakthrough of the Year (November)

• Be part of the Engage Community Day with Co-learning workshops and more (6 Nov)
• The 20 winners will pitch their projects on stage in Berlin (7 Nov)
• A distinguished jury will select 1 Breakthrough of the Year (7 Nov)
• The Breakthrough of the Year will be presented on stage at the Falling Walls Conference (9 Nov)

SAVE THE DATE

7 – 9 Nov 2023 – Falling Walls Science Summit 2023 in Berlin

THE GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT

OUR MISSION

At Falling Walls Engage, we aim to inspire and connect creative individuals who engage communities with science all around the world. We work to build an international community of Science Engagers who develop fresh approaches and innovative formats from the grassroots to the institutional level.

We strive to expand the recognition of Science Engagement practices worldwide together with a strong international alliance of partners and stakeholders, with the belief that a better understanding and appreciation of science can help tackle global societal challenges.

We are proudly supported by our founding partner, the Robert Bosch Stiftung, a catalyst for science on pressing social issues and successful interchange between stakeholders with different expertise and perspectives. 

WHAT IS SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT?

SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT

We define Science Engagement as activities, events, or interactions bridging the gap between science and society to generate mutual learning and mutual benefits across the spectrum of public engagement in science and interactive science communication.

Engagement is per definition a two-way process with the goal to shape and co-create scientific process together, to promote active involvement of publics in scientific knowledge production.

At Falling Walls Engage we seek participatory formats of all levels: from co-productive research and public panels to arts-driven or entertaining approaches – the common ground is the inclusion of and impact on all sides involved.

IMPACT

We define the impact of Science Engagement initiatives as long-lasting improvements on people’s lives. By offering opportunities to participate actively in scientific processes and become an integral part in scientific developments, Science Engagement empowers people to make informed and fact-based decisions. Thus, it has a positive impact on the empowerment of all people, co-creative knowledge production, the perception of scientific facts and overall the wellbeing of our society.

The Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year, Science Engagement is an exemplary, inspiring, and impactful initiative that:

• breaks down walls between science and society with its individual approach on the respective target group;
• engages with people in the process of science, promotes opportunities for co-learning, co-leadership and co-creation and creates excitement for and trust in science;
• actively engages its target group in a participatory and inclusive way, fosters dialogue and aims to generate mutual benefits for science and society.