Uppsala University organising international pitch competition
Falling Walls Lab is an internationally established pitch competition for students and early-career researchers. This autumn, Uppsala University will host a local qualifying round at the Humanities Theatre. Applications will be accepted up to and including 22 August. Photo: Falling Walls Foundation
On 14 September, Uppsala University will host Falling Walls Lab Uppsala, where researchers and students will have three minutes to present ideas with the potential to make the world a better place. The winner will go on to the international finals in Berlin in November. Applications are open to participants from across Sweden.
This autumn, Uppsala University is organising Falling Walls Lab, an international, interdisciplinary pitch competition that gives students, researchers and early-career professionals the opportunity to present ideas that can help solve key societal challenges.
During Falling Walls Lab, participants pitch their ideas to a jury, which then selects a winner. The winner goes on to the international finals in Berlin and becomes part of the Falling Walls Science Summit, which brings together up to 100 finalists from all the local labs around the world.
The local competition in Uppsala will take place on 14 September. Applications are being accepted until 22 August, and people from across the country are welcome to apply. Up to ten participants will be selected to pitch their ideas live to both an audience and the jury at the Humanities Theatre.
Three minutes that give an idea momentum
At Falling Walls Lab, participants are given three minutes to present their idea and explain why it is important.
“Being able to formulate a clear message that is understandable and engaging in a short space of time is a key skill in both research and innovation, and Falling Walls Lab offers a great opportunity for development,” says Malin Graffner Nordberg, Head of UU Innovation, the division organising the event at the University.
She hopes that many will take this opportunity as a first step towards commercialising their idea or finding other forms of utilisation.
“The competition is a fantastic opportunity to test your idea, get valuable feedback and make new contacts – and this can often inspire you to take the next step,” says Malin Graffner Nordberg.
Part of the University’s innovation work
Encouraging new ideas and giving people the opportunity to develop them is a natural part of Uppsala University’s innovation work. This makes Falling Walls Lab a perfect fit, according to the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Anders Hagfeldt.
“Uppsala University is a strong environment for groundbreaking research and innovation. Falling Walls Lab provides a valuable opportunity to showcase new ideas and research findings which, with the right conditions and support, have the potential to make a real difference to people and society,” says Anders Hagfeldt.
He is eagerly looking forward to the competition this autumn.
“We have many driven and passionate students and researchers, and I look forward to hearing their ideas.”
Sara Gredemark
Falling Walls Lab Uppsala
Date: 14 September 2026
Place: The Humanities Theatre, Uppsala University
Application deadline: 22 August 2026
Open to: Students, researchers and early-career professionals from across Sweden
About the competition: Up to ten participants will be given three minutes to pitch their ideas to a jury and audience. The winner will receive free travel and accommodation to the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin in November 2026, where they will be given the opportunity to present their idea.
Organiser: Uppsala University through UU Innovation