About this opportunity
The Intensive Track is the Falling Walls Foundation's year long career programme for early career women in science, and the 2027 cohort brings together 20 researchers from every academic discipline. The design is simple but valuable. Once or twice a month you join an online event, roughly an hour long, for a workshop, a career talk or a peer to peer session. Twice during the year you travel to Berlin for an in person gathering, four days in May and six days in November alongside the Falling Walls Science Summit 2027. Travel and accommodation for both gatherings are fully covered, which removes the cost barrier that usually decides who gets to be in the room.
Around those gatherings the programme builds the things a postdoctoral year rarely gives you on its own. There are skill enhancement workshops on science entrepreneurship, science communication and leadership. There is mentoring, and there is a deliberately curated network of role models: women leaders in academia, business and politics, including representatives from the official partners Bayer Foundation, Elsevier Foundation, Volkswagen Foundation, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg and the German Research Foundation. Fellows also gain access to the wider Falling Walls Venture, Engage and Lab communities, and the Foundation offers visibility for your work across its global channels.
The commitment runs both ways, and the Foundation is honest about it. Selected talents agree to mentor the next cohort, the 2028 intake, up to six times across the year, to organise community events such as panel discussions and knowledge sharing sessions, and to contribute actively to workshops and small group exchange. The programme also states plainly that it recognises gender is not binary, so submissions are welcome from cis and trans women as well as genderqueer and non binary people. Fluency in English is expected because the sessions and the gatherings run in English.
Applying is a short written form plus two uploads, and it is worth doing carefully because each answer is capped at 300 characters including spaces. You will describe yourself, your research, your career goals and vision, how the programme supports those objectives, and how you will contribute your own skills to the community. Then you attach a tabular CV and a video introduction of up to two minutes. The application period runs from 1 October to 15 November 2026 and the closing time is 23.59 Central European Time on 15 November 2026.
What you receive
- Two fully funded high level gatherings in Berlin, the International Spring Gathering for four days in May 2027 and the International Fall Gathering for six days in November 2027 at the Falling Walls Science Summit, with travel and accommodation covered
- A series of online and in person skill enhancement workshops and career talks on science entrepreneurship, science communication, leadership and related topics
- Structured mentoring plus peer exchange inside a cohort of 20 high potential scientists from many disciplines
- Networking with Female Science Talents role models and women leaders in academia, business and politics, including partners Bayer Foundation, Elsevier Foundation, Volkswagen Foundation, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg and the German Research Foundation
- Access to the Falling Walls Venture, Engage and Lab communities
- Increased visibility and reach for your research through the Falling Walls Community and its global channels
Who can apply
- You are a woman, and the Foundation recognises that gender is not binary, welcoming submissions from cis and trans women as well as genderqueer and non binary people
- You are a PhD student in the final stages of your research, or a postdoctoral researcher who completed your PhD in 2021 or later
- You may also apply with a qualification equivalent to a PhD or postdoctoral experience, such as a medical degree or other advanced professional scientific training
- You are attached to a university or research institution in any country, and candidates from all academic disciplines are welcome
- You are fluent in English and can communicate your research and career goals to a wider audience
- You can commit to online events once or twice a month from February 2027 to January 2028, and to travel to Berlin for four days in May and six days in November 2027
- You are willing to mentor the 2028 cohort up to six times a year and to help organise community events
Who should not apply
- Researchers who completed their PhD before 2021 and are not in the final stages of a PhD do not meet the stated career stage
- Applicants who cannot travel to Berlin for both gatherings cannot complete the in person elements of the programme
- The cohort is limited to 20 participants, so the Foundation selects for scientific excellence and for willingness to contribute to the community
Documents to prepare
- Curriculum vitae in tabular format, highlighting the key stages and achievements of your career
- Video introduction about yourself and your motivation, in mp4 format, maximum two minutes
- Five short written answers of up to 300 characters including spaces, on yourself, your research, your career goals and vision, how the programme supports your objectives, and how you will contribute to the programme
How to apply
- Open the Falling Walls application platform at https://globalcall.falling-walls.com/ during the application period, which runs from 1 October to 15 November 2026
- Read the Intensive Track details on the official programme page at https://falling-walls.com/female-science-talents/intensive-track before you start writing
- Answer the five short form questions about yourself, your research, your career goals and vision, how the programme supports your objectives, and how you will contribute your skills to the community, keeping each answer within the 300 character limit including spaces
- Upload your tabular CV and your video introduction of up to two minutes in mp4 format
- Submit before 23.59 Central European Time on 15 November 2026, since late applications cannot be considered
- If you cannot find an answer on the programme page, write to the Falling Walls Foundation through the contact route shown on the official page
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed against the stated career stage, so final stage PhD candidates, postdocs from 2021 onwards and holders of equivalent qualifications
- The panel looks for candidates who excel in their scientific field through outstanding research, innovative thinking and commitment to advancing knowledge
- Candidates who will actively contribute to the programme and community are prioritised, including peer to peer learning, mentoring the 2028 cohort and initiating community events
- Proactive and collaborative attitudes and solid communication skills in English are weighed alongside the research record
- 20 participants are selected for the cohort that begins in February 2027 and runs through January 2028
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- Ghent University BOF Doctoral Scholarships for the Global South 2027
One of 15 sandwich PhD places funded by Ghent University's Special Research Fund for candidates from listed Global South countries, splitting 48 months of doctoral research between Ghent and a partner university in the South. Applications for 2027 close on 9 February 2027 and Nigeria is on the published country list.
- Harry Frank Guggenheim African Fellow Awards 2027
A two year fellowship for African doctoral scholars researching violence, carrying fieldwork research grants of $10,000 each plus a methods workshop, mentoring, conference sponsorship and publication support. Applications for the 2027 cohort close on 1 March 2027.
Questions applicants ask
Is there an application fee?
No. Applying costs nothing, and once selected your travel and accommodation for both Berlin gatherings are covered in full.
How much time does the programme take?
It runs from February 2027 through January 2028. Online sessions happen once or twice a month and last about 60 minutes, and you travel to Berlin for four days in May and six days in November.
I finished my PhD in 2019. Can I still apply?
The stated window is PhD students in the final stages of research and postdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD in 2021 or later, or people with an equivalent advanced professional scientific qualification such as a medical degree.
Do I need to be based in Germany or Europe?
No. Candidates from universities and research institutions worldwide are welcome to apply, and the Foundation especially encourages women from the Global South.
When does the application portal close?
The application period runs from 1 October to 15 November 2026, and the deadline is 23.59 Central European Time on 15 November 2026.
What does the Foundation mean by a give back commitment?
Selected talents mentor the next cohort up to six times a year, organise events such as panel discussions and knowledge sharing sessions, and take part actively in workshops and peer sessions.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
