INL holds Falling Walls Lab Portugal 2026: Applications now open

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to announce the return of Falling Walls Lab Portugal. Now in its second edition, the prestigious pitch competition invites early-stage researchers to present their groundbreaking work in three minutes or less. At a first glance, the format seems simple, but it demands both scientific rigour and a masterful play of storytelling. This year’s event will take place on 9 September 2026, at our laboratory, in Braga.

The competition made its Portuguese debut at INL in 2025, where Leonor Ribeiro claimed first place with the project “Breaking the Wall of Lung Cancer with a Beam of Light“. Her research stands as a fitting representation of the kind of bold, boundary-pushing research Falling Walls Lab was built to celebrate. Framed within the Falling Walls Science Summit, the event is set to serve as a global platform dedicated to showcasing the diversity of scientific talent and advancing effective science communication.

The stakes this year are equally high. Portugal’s winner will secure a place among 100 finalists at the Lab Global Finale in Berlin on 6 November 2026, competing before an international audience of scientists. Winners are also invited to attend the Falling Walls Science Summit, one of the most influential gatherings at the intersection of science and society.

Applications are now open to all students and early-stage researchers based in Portugal, across all scientific disciplines. The window closes on 31 July 2026.

If your research has the potential to break barriers, don’t waste time and apply today.

Text by Clara Miranda

Photography by Falling Walls