How to Apply for Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand
Eligibility criteria and information on how to apply for Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand
Applications for 2025 are now open.
- WHEN: Rāpare Thursday 7 August 2025 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
- WHO: Up to 20 New Zealand-based applicants and up to two Pacific Island Forum nation-based applicants will be selected to take part in the event
- More information: Falling Walls Lab FAQ
Students and early-career professionals within all disciplines from Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific Island Forum (PIF) nations are invited to participate in the Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand event.
Why participate in a Falling Walls Lab
- Provides participants with networking opportunities amongst like-minded individuals
- Celebrates and promotes outstanding talents in academia and the innovation sector
- Promotes co-operation and knowledge sharing across the South Pacific region
- Strengthens links between research and development across academia and business
Award and winner's prize
Applicants selected to participate in Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand will have their flight cost from place of residence to Wellington covered. PIF nation-based finalists (excluding New Zealand and Australia) will additionally receive four night’s accommodation in Wellington.
Lunch and a closing reception is provided for finalists and guests at the August 7 event. Additional expenses for meals, accommodation (in addition to what has been discussed above), visa applications, insurance cover (where applicable) and other costs are the responsibility of the finalists.
The winner of Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand will be invited to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale in Berlin on November 7, 2025. The winner's prize will consist of return economy flights from place of residence to Berlin and four night’s accommodation in Berlin (includes one night's accommodation covered by Falling Walls Lab Berlin) and a ticket to the Falling Walls Science Summit November 7-9.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
- Currently reside in either New Zealand or a PIF nation (excl. Australia*)
- Be 18 years of age or over
- Hold a passport valid until at least May 2026
- Not previously presented at Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand
In addition, you must fulfill at least one of the following formal requirements:
- You are currently enrolled in university** and/or are currently a postdoc, or
- You received a Bachelor’s degree no more than ten (10) years ago prior to 1 January 2025 (i.e. conferred on or after 1 January 2015), or
- You received a Master’s degree no more than seven (7) years prior to 1 January 2025 (i.e. conferred on or after 1 January 2018), or
- You received a PhD no more than five (5) years prior to 1 January 2025 (i.e. conferred on or after 1 January 2020)
* Applicants residing in Australia may be eligible to apply for Falling Walls Lab Australia
** any tertiary education organisation
How to apply
Applicants must submit their applications to Falling Walls Lab Foundation Berlin.
- Go to Falling Walls Lab Foundation application website
- Find and select "Aotearoa New Zealand"
- Complete the online form and attach your curriculum vitae in PDF format
Application deadline
Applications for 2025 are now open.
Applications to take part in Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand must be submitted by the closing date: Rāapa Wednesday 30 April 2025, 12.00 pm Noon (NZST).
Applicants will be notified of the outcome in mid-June.
Assessment of applications and presentations
Applications to attend the Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand are assessed by a diverse evaluation panel selected by Royal Society Te Apārangi. In assessing the applications submitted, the panel will consider applicants’ breakthrough factor of the proposed idea, and the relevance/impact of the idea for the target group. The panel will additionally ensure that applicants are being assessed in relation to their opportunities. In making its final decisions, the panel may also take into consideration the gender mix, organisational representation, and fields of research represented by the selected finalists.
Only complete and eligible applications will be considered.
At the Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand event, a Jury with representation from both academia and business will judge the presentations. Presentations will be judged on the following criteria:
· Breakthrough factor (50%): How innovative is the proposed idea?
· Relevance/impact (40%): How relevant is the idea to the discipline and beyond?
· Structure/performance (10%): How convincing was the presentation?
A list of Jury Members will be available as soon as the appointment process has been completed.
Timeline
| Activity | Deadline |
| Call for applications closes | 30 April |
| Finalists announced | Mid-June |
|
Royal Society Te Apārangi to arrange awardees flights to Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington |
June/July |
| Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand event | 7 August |
| Falling Walls Lab Global Finale – Berlin | 7 November |
| Falling Walls Conference – Berlin | 7-9 November |
Contact us
Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand
Royal Society Te Apārangi
International.Applications@royalsociety.org.nz
