Agora

​Responsible applicant

Researchers are eligible to submit an Agora application if the project focuses on their own research and is conducted in collaboration with one or more Agora specialists (see co-applicants). Applicant researchers must meet the requirements set out in Article 10 of the Funding Regulations (PDF). Their work-time percentage may be lower than 50 percent, but not lower than 20 percent.

Co-applicants

Agora specialists are co-applicants. These individuals, whether self-employed or employed, possess skills in communication, media, scientific mediation, education/training or art, or demonstrate other qualifications relevant to knowledge transfer or public dialogue. They contribute conceptually to the project and support it in terms of content and operational or technical implementation. The Agora expert’s fee may be charged to the grant, but the salaries of employees at Swiss universities are generally not covered.

Project requirements

An Agora project may focus on research findings, scientific challenges or the role of research itself. It aims to convey fundamental scientific knowledge and foster dialogue with the public. The choice of communication methods is flexible, provided they effectively support meaningful interaction between researchers and their target audience.

The project must:

• make the target group familiar with the current scientific research conducted by the applicants;
• target groups that are freely defined but do not consist of the professional addressees in academic teaching and research or members of the applicant’s research institution. The primary target groups are located in Switzerland;
• have a significant impact on the target group in terms of raising awareness, engagement and participation in scientific topics; and
• have links to research that is or was awarded funding by the SNSF or another qualified institution under a competitive procedure and/or is the subject of a recognised (peer-reviewed) scientific publication.

The following projects are not eligible:

• Projects conducted within the scope of implementation and technology transfer partnerships.
• Projects that involve marketing campaigns or institutional communication measures and media relations.
• Projects that conduct research into science communication.
• Projects with links to ongoing National Research Programmes (NRPs) or National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs).
• Projects aimed at achieving commercial goals.

From registration to entering the budget, how do you submit your application to the SNSF, and what should you consider? Basic information can be found on this page: Submitting a grant application.

Agora applications must be submitted in English via the mySNF platform. Applicants are encouraged to begin their application process in mySNF as soon as possible after the call for proposals. Creating a new mySNF account may take up to a week. Comprehensive information on preparing and writing an application can be found on mySNF.

Project plan: The project plan must be uploaded as a PDF document in the application on mySNF. The specifications set out in the following document must be strictly adhered to:

Curriculum Vitae (CV): Each applicant must submit a CV in accordance with the SNSF guidelines when submitting the funding application. This CV should include the most significant achievements as a researcher or expert in communication.

• Researchers: Please refer to the guidelines via the CV website and in the SNSF Portal.
• Agora specialists: An ORCID identification number is required to create the CV via the portal. However, if you do not wish to or are unable to register on ORCID, you can use a standard CV that includes a “Major Achievements” section in line with the SNSF’s specified format. You should summarise in the form of a narrative CV how your qualifications and expertise will benefit the planned project. You can use the following Template (Word) as a guide.

As with researchers, Agora specialists must have sufficient previous experience and achievements to ensure the project’s feasibility.

Please refer to the SNSF’s general notes on the evaluation procedure.

The following criteria are applied and weighted equally when assessing Agora projects:

• Quality of the content
• Suitability of the methods or the communication design in view of the defined target group
• Expertise of the applicants, co-applicants and the project team
• Feasibility of the project
• Expected qualitative and quantitative impacts
• Contribution to the promotion of diversity and equal opportunities

See also the evaluation form for external reviewers (PDF).

The Agora Regulations form the legal basis for Agora applications and grants and detail the conditions under which an Agora grant can be approved.

They are based on the SNSF’s Funding and Implementation Regulations for the awarding of grants.

AGORA projects represent scientific output as defined under the DORA declaration and are recognised by the SNSF when it evaluates preliminary scientific work.

In collaboration with Swissnex in San Francisco, the SNSF awards the “Optimus Agora” prize to highlight and support the communication potential of funded projects. Selected from the annual Agora call, winners are invited to Swissnex in San Francisco to participate in exhibitions and training programmes. The prize aims to foster outstanding science communication and help projects harness Bay Area technology and expertise to enhance their impact.

Award-winning projects since 2018

Here you will find a list of Agora events and activities in Switzerland (click here to access the full map).

Are you planning one or more events or activities funded by the Agora funding programme? Please keep us informed by completing this form.

Swiss Science Communication Network:

• Science et Cité
• Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences
• Reatch - Research. Think. Change - Reatch (French or German)

Useful tools:

• Bertemes, J.P., Haan, S. and Hans, D. 50 Essentials on Science Communication. De Gruyter Mouton, 2024.
• Science Communication Toolbox (VA, Public & Science)
• Evaluation : Practical guidelines (UK Research and Innovation)
• The Communicator’s Guide to Research, Analysis, and Evaluation (Institute for Public Relations)
• La moulinette : tool for public outreach projects (Science et Cité, in French or German)
• Information et Inspiration - Impact Unit (Wissenschaft im Dialog, in German)
• Research Impact Toolkit (UCD Dublin)
• Volk, S. C. (2024). Assessing the Outputs, Outcomes, and Impacts of Science Communication: A Quantitative Content Analysis of 128 Science Communication Projects