The “2023 Falling Walls Forum & Lab Taipei” took place on May 18, 2023 at the National Science and Technology Commission (NSTC). While the Falling Walls Lab Taipei was part of a global young talent competition of innovative breakthrough research and technology organized by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) of German Institute Taipei, the Forum was a new addition organized jointly by the CSLT and DAAD. The inaugural collaboration of the two events aimed to complement each other, providing the audience (including the contestants of the Falling Walls Lab) inspiration, widened horizons, and connectivity.

In response to the IYBBSD, the theme of the morning Forum was ”Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development” and featured short talks and a panel discussion by outstanding researchers and entrepreneurs. The speakers’ scientific breakthroughs addressed sustainability issues such as hydrogen recovery, cancer, coral bleaching, and crop resilience. Each topic inspired attendees to think about sustainable development and stimulated their enthusiasm and imagination for innovation with basic sciences.

The afternoon Falling Walls Lab Taipei provided opportunities for the contestants to pitch their innovative research projects in English in 3 minutes. The chosen young talents presented the ideas, results and future prospects of their projects. The champion of the Falling Walls Lab Taipei was granted the right to enter the global final competition of Falling Walls Lab in Germany. The Falling Walls Lab Taipei provided a platform for attendees to interact with other young innovators. This experience solidified participants’ belief in the value of their research and their potential to innovate. Through the exchange and feedback with other participants, attendees gained valuable advice and inspiration, which will serve as crucial guidance for their future research directions.