DAAD in Nepal
Falling Walls Lab in Nepal
The DAAD in partnership with the Kathmandu University has been organising this contest for students and researchers from Nepal from the year 2024. Every year the winner of the Falling Walls Lab has been going to Berlin to participate in the grand finale.
Applications are now invited for the Falling Walls Lab Nepal 2026.
Are you ready?????
This unique competition challenges participants to think critically and creatively.It is not just about identifying the problem but to presenting a practical , innovative and well structured solution to the problem.
Do you already have a solution in your lab or have a solution in the market place?
This is the perfect stage to present it!
The DAAD & the Kathmandu University are waiting for your applications.
Application Deadline : 31 March 2026
Falling Walls Lab Nepal will take place on Fri, 8 May 2026
Venue : Kathmandu University (KUSOM)
Make sure you are eligible!
You must fulfill at least one of the following formal requirements:
-
- You are currently enrolled at university as a Student
- You received a Bachelor’s degree no more than 10 years ago (2016 or later)
- You received a Master’s degree no more than 7 years ago (2019 or later)
- You received a PhD no more than 5 years ago (2021 or later)
Please note that you can submit only one idea and apply to only one Falling Walls Lab.
Please note If you have pitched in a Falling Walls Lab before, you are no longer eligible to apply.
For the Falling Walls Lab Nepal 2026, note that A and B below are the two necessary components for your application to be complete:
A. Video
Making the video
- You need to create a 2 to 3 minute video stating and explaining the problem as well as your solution.
- The aim of the video is to help the evaluators understand the problem and the solution clearly.
- It is important that they see and hear the applicant speak.
- No complex editing or professional film is required. It can be a simple video shot with a smartphone or a camera.
- As far as possible only the applicant should be seen in the video. If others are helping with the instrument, holding something etc., that is acceptable.
- While there can be animations in the film, a completely animated film will not be accepted
- There should be no voice-over/another person speaking on behalf of the applicant/AI Generated voice.
Hosting and sharing the vid
- Host the video on any platform (ex. YouTube, Vimeo etc.) or on any cloud server (ex. Google Drive, Dropbox etc.). Do make sure that the video remains available there till the results are announced. You will need to use the link to the video in your application form.
- The focus is on the concept and communication. The video will be used only for shortlisting and will not be shared with anybody except with the express consent of the applicant.
B. Online Application
- Fill up the online application form, remember to include the link to your video in it, and apply.
- Link for application: https://falling-walls.com/falling-walls-lab-kathmandu-nepal-daad
Your application is complete only when you do complete both, Step A and Step B.
In case of questions contact fwl.in@daad.de
Falling Walls Lab Kathmandu 2025 successfully completed!
Winners of Falling Walls Lab Kathmandu, 8 May 2025
Winner
Mitesh Shrestha, Tribhuvan University
Breaking the Wall of Synthetic Fertilizers and Pesticides
Winner in 2nd Place
Monima Karmacharya, Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology (RIBB)
Breaking the Wall of Dairy Wastewater
Winner in 3rd Place
Prince Chaudhary, National College, Kathmandu University
Breaking the Wall of Youth Disengagement and inactive Democracy: Speakup Nepal
Audience Choice Winner
Shristi Bhattarai, Kathmandu University
Breaking the Wall of Superbugs
Members of the Jury
- Dr Katja Lasch
Director, German Academic Exchange Sevice - Mr Brijesh Adhikary
Associate Dean, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University - Mr Sebastian Woitsch
Director, Goethe-Zentrum Kathmandu - Dr Babita Paudel
Founder and Head, Center for Natural and Applied Sciences (CENAS) - Mr Rupesh Shrestha
Vice-President, NEGAAS
Finalists
- Anupam Bajracharya
Kings College (Westcliff University)
Heritage Advocate working to preserve Patan’s ancient Buddhist monasteries and helping young people reconnect with the Newar culture. - Deepti Gautam
Kathmandu University
Bringing space within reach through a tactile, Braille-integrated solar system model that replicates planetary features for visually impaired and marginalized students. - Dinesh Mani Bhandari
Asian Institute of Technology
Blending Robotics, GIS and Agriculture to craft sustainable, tech-powered solutions that drive education, innovation and real-world development impact. - Kedar Nath Dhakal
Tribhuvan University
PhD (Polymer Chemistry) and working as a postdoctoral fellow at Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University. - Mitesh Shrestha
Tribhuvan University
PhD Scholar developing eco-friendly Streptomyces consortia to boost plant growth, suppress pests, and revitalize soil for sustainable agriculture. - Monima Karmacharya
Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology (RIBB)
Transforming dairy wastewater using microalgae into functional foods—bridging environmental cleanup with sustainable nutrition and bio innovation. - Prabina Raut
Tribhuvan University
Environmental scientist innovating low-cost leaf- based biosorbents for cadmium removal from contaminated water. - Prajwal Dahal
Agriculture and Forestry University
Working on Wheyve, an initiative exploring protein extraction from whey waste to promote sustainable nutrition and circular food systems. - Prince Chaudhary
National College, Kathmandu University
Co-founder of ‘SpeakUp Nepal’, Nepal’s first e-petition platform empowering citizens to voice concerns, demand accountability and drive social change for a better future. - Roshan Ojha
Kathmandu University
A mechanical engineer developing sustainable textiles from banana waste to create green alternatives and reduce environmental impact. - Sahil Bagla
Kathmandu University
Mechanical Engineering Student working to overcome geographical challenges in the Nepalese healthcare system using a specially designed drone. - Shristi Bhattarai
Kathmandu University
Biotechnology student passionate about research, problem-solving, and sustainability,
committed to creating meaningful impact by translating biological innovations into real-world solutions. - Tushar Dhakal
Kathmandu University
Breaking the wall of e-waste from EV batteries.
In Preparation
Please note that A and B below are the two necessary components for your application to be complete:
A. Video
Making the video
- You need to create a 2 to 3 minute video stating and explaining the problem as well as your solution.
- The aim of the video is to help the evaluators understand the problem and the solution clearly.
- It is important that they see and hear the applicant speak.
- No complex editing or professional film is required. It can be a simple video shot with a smartphone or a camera.
- As far as possible only the applicant should be seen in the video. If others are helping with the instrument, holding something etc., that is acceptable.
- While there can be animations in the film, a completely animated film will not be accepted
- There should be no voice-over/another person speaking on behalf of the applicant/machine voice.
Hosting and sharing the video
- Host the video on any platform (ex. YouTube, Vimeo etc.) or on any cloud server (ex. Google Drive, Dropbox etc.). Do make sure that the video remains available there till the results are announced. You will need to use the link to the video in your application form.
- The focus is on the concept and communication. The video will be used only for shortlisting and will not be shared with anybody except with the express consent of the applicant.
B. Online Application
- Fill up the online application form, remember to include the link to your video in it, and apply.
- Link for application: https: falling-walls.com/falling-walls-lab-kathmandu
Your application is complete only when you do complete both, Step A and Step B.
In case of questions contact fwl.in@daad.de
Dreaming of studying or researching in Germany?
Join the DAAD Information Session and get all the details on higher education, research programs, and scholarship opportunities!
Let the Team DAAD guide you through the path to studying at world-renowned institutions and pursuing your academic ambitions in one of the most innovative countries in the world.
The DAAD New Delhi offers a number of funding schemes or scholarship programmes for Nepal and Bhutan:
You’d like to study in Germany? Or even in India at the IIT Delhi? A great idea!
The DAAD looks forward to welcoming you!
You may want to consider the following scholarships:
- Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Music
- Postgraduate Studies in the Field of the Performing Arts
- Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Architecture
- Postgraduate Studies in the Fields of Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film
- Doctoral Programmes
- Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees
- In-region Master and PhD Scholarships
- Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
- Public Policy and Good Governance (PPGG)
- Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP)
For information about other scholarships, please visit www.funding-guide.de
Students and scholars as well as academic and research institutions in Nepal are welcome to get in touch with the New Delhi office for information about study and research in Germany, funding possibilities and cooperation with German institutions for higher education and research.
DAAD Young Ambassadors in Nepal
- Rumi Singh Maharjan
Master – Architecture
Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
Scholarship: DAAD Scholarship for Architecture - Sheila Dangol
Master – Water Resources and Environmental Management
Leibniz University Hannover
Scholarship: DAAD EPOS
