The Female Science Talents Intensive Track 2027 is a one-year career programme by the Falling Walls Foundation for 20 outstanding early-career women* in science from all disciplines, with two fully covered gatherings in Berlin and no participation fee. Applications close on 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the official programme page and its FAQ and set out every detail below.
What the Intensive Track Is
The Intensive Track is a one-year programme supporting 20 outstanding early-career women* in science to take the next step in their careers. Through skill-enhancement workshops, mentoring and participation in high-level events in Berlin, participants build an international network, gain visibility for their research and explore new pathways towards leadership. The programme fosters peer exchange, community building and active engagement within the wider Female Science Talents and Falling Walls networks. Partners of the programme include the Bayer Foundation, the Elsevier Foundation, the Volkswagen Foundation, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg and the German Research Foundation (DFG).
Benefits for Selected Participants
🏛️ Two gatherings in Berlin: the International Spring Gathering and the International Fall Gathering at the Falling Walls Science Summit 2027, with travel costs including accommodation fully covered for both events
🛠️ Workshops and career talks: online and in-person sessions on topics like science entrepreneurship, science communication, leadership and more
🤝 Peer exchange: connect with like-minded, high-potential scientists from various disciplines in a diverse learning community
🌟 Networking: meet Female Science Talents role models and women leaders in academia, business and politics, including representatives from the official partners
🔗 Falling Walls community: expand your network through the Falling Walls Venture, Engage and Lab communities
📣 Visibility and reach: share your work and insights with a global audience through the Falling Walls Community
Timeline and Time Commitment
🗓️ Programme length: it starts in February 2027 and runs through January 2028
💻 Online events: once or twice a month, such as workshops, career talks or peer-to-peer sessions of about 60 minutes each
🧳 Berlin trips: twice, for 4 days in May and for 6 days in November
Who Can Apply
🎓 PhD students: those in the final stages of their research
🔬 Postdoctoral researchers: those who completed their PhD in 2021 or later
🩺 Equivalent qualifications: applicants with qualifications equivalent to a PhD or postdoctoral experience, such as medical degrees or other advanced professional scientific training, are equally welcome
🌐 Disciplines and locations: candidates from all academic disciplines and from universities or research institutions worldwide
🌍 Global South: women* from the Global South are especially encouraged to apply
Female Science Talents recognises that gender is not binary and welcomes submissions from cis and trans women, as well as genderqueer and non-binary people.
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What the Selection Looks For
The programme is especially seeking candidates who:
🏆 Excel in their scientific field: outstanding research, innovative thinking and a commitment to advancing knowledge in their discipline
🧑🏫 Engage in peer-to-peer learning: sharing skills and insights in interactive sessions and small group discussions
🌱 Mentor the next cohort: supporting the cohort of 2028 through mentorship, up to 6 times per year
🎤 Initiate community events: organising events such as panel discussions or knowledge-sharing sessions that add value to the community
🙌 Are proactive and collaborative: taking part in workshops, contributing ideas and fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere
💬 Communicate well: fluent English, the ability to communicate research and career goals to a wider audience and good self-presentation skills
Costs and Support
The Intensive Track is free of charge. Travel and accommodation costs are covered by the Falling Walls Foundation. For the two in-person gatherings in May and November, the foundation provides accommodation and catering and reimburses your costs for trains, flights and public transportation. For overseas flights (from outside Europe) the foundation books the flights for you. Taxi travel and travel insurance are excluded because of budget restrictions. For visas, Falling Walls assists with the invitation and the procedure but does not cover expenses related to visa applications.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted on the Falling Walls online platform. In the application form you are asked to:
✍️ About you: tell the team about yourself (600 characters limit including spaces)
🧪 Your research: describe your research (600 characters limit including spaces)
🎯 Career goals: outline your career goals and vision (600 characters limit including spaces)
🧭 Programme fit: describe how the programme can support your objectives (600 characters limit including spaces)
🧩 Your contribution: explain how you can positively contribute to the programme, for example your skills or expertise (600 characters limit including spaces)
You also upload two documents:
📄 Curriculum Vitae (CV): highlight the key stages and achievements of your career in tabular format
🎬 Video introduction: share more about yourself and your motivation in a video (mp4, maximum 2 minutes)
The application period runs from 1 October to 15 November 2026. If you are new to this kind of programme, the Youth Works Hub guide what a fellowship is and how it differs from a scholarship explains the basics, and you can find more programmes like this in the Fellowships category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a participation fee for the Intensive Track?
No. The Intensive Track is free of charge, and travel and accommodation costs are covered by the Falling Walls Foundation.
How many participants are selected?
The programme selects 20 early-career women* in science from all disciplines for the 2027 round.
Who is eligible to apply?
PhD students in the final stages of their research and postdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD in 2021 or later can apply, as well as applicants with equivalent qualifications such as medical degrees. Candidates from universities or research institutions worldwide are welcome.
How does travel to Berlin work?
Participants attend two in-person gatherings, for 4 days in May and 6 days in November. The foundation provides accommodation and catering and reimburses train, flight and public transport costs. For flights from outside Europe, the foundation books the flights. Taxi travel and travel insurance are not covered.
Does the programme cover visa costs?
No. Falling Walls assists with the invitation and the visa procedure but does not cover visa application expenses.
How much time does the programme take?
Expect one or two online sessions per month of about 60 minutes each, plus the two Berlin trips of 4 and 6 days, from February 2027 to January 2028.
Deadline
⏳ 15 November 2026
Links
🏛️ Programme page: https://falling-walls.com/female-science-talents/intensive-track
📨 Application platform (Falling Walls Global Call): https://globalcall.falling-walls.com/
