Agora funds communication projects that foster dialogue between science and society, enabling researchers to share their current research directly with a lay audience.
Submission deadline:
16.09.2025 17:00 CEST
Agora call: The submission deadline for projects with a budget of up to 200,000 Swiss francs is in autumn. Funding decisions are communicated in March 2026 (earliest project start: 1 April 2026).
Agora rolling call: Projects with a budget of up to 50,000 Swiss francs can be submitted at any time. Funding decisions are communicated within four months.
Funding is available for communication projects by researchers that are developed and realised in collaboration with experts from communication, knowledge transfer, culture, media and similar. The researchers themselves should mainly carry out direct communication with the public.
Except for the budget, the project plan length and the submission deadline, all information regarding application submission pertains to both Agora projects and Agora rolling call projects. Projects span three years, and applications must be submitted in English.
Peer reviewers assess three core criteria:
Methods & feasibility (most weight)
Scientific relevance, originality & topicality
Track record of applicant(s) .
Proposals must clearly present innovative ideas, detailed methodology, and realistic execution plans.
A solid publication history and relevant expertise matter—especially in disciplines beyond biology and medicine—but methodology and relevance carry more influence .
SNSF employs a Bayesian ranking method with tie-breaker lotteries for proposals of equivalent quality near the funding line .
Ensure your proposal is among the top-rated to benefit from potential lottery selection.
Select the right funding mechanism (Project, Postdoc.Mobility, Starting Grants).
Most schemes require a Swiss institutional link (salary or appointment) to be eligible, especially for prestigious Starting Grants.
SNSF favors small, focused teams (2–5 PIs) for innovation.
Large consortia are reserved for national programs; typical research grants should remain streamlined .
Career and starting grants follow a two-phase review:
Initial eligibility and peer review
Panel interview or discussion
Only top proposals advance to the final stage .
Use SNSF’s required formats (CV, research plan, data management, ethics).
Proposals lacking mandatory documents or completeness fail at screening .
SNSF has introduced standardized CVs aligned with DORA, and supports tie-breaker lotteries to reduce bias; evaluation procedures promote equity .
High innovation and novelty are valued, and citing promotional language for novelty can help – though authenticity matters.
📋 Quick Summary Table
Success Predictor | What to Do |
---|---|
Methods & Feasibility | Write detailed, clear methodologies and milestones |
Novelty & Relevance | Emphasize originality and topical impact |
Solid Track Record | Use high-quality publications and relevant background |
Swiss Anchoring | Secure institutional affiliation or salary in Switzerland |
Appropriate Scheme | Select project type and team structure wisely |
Complete Application | Follow all SNSF instructions; upload full documents |
Bias Mitigation Tools | Use the new CV format and aim for lottery eligibility |
Innovation & Language | Convey novelty well—ideally with genuine, not exaggerated, tone |
✍️ Tailored Action Plan
Pick the right scheme suited to your stage and Swiss link.
Draft an innovative project with strong methodology and realistic feasibility.
Secure a Swiss host/institution to meet eligibility.
Prepare the standardized CV, ethics statement, and data plan meticulously.
Emphasize novelty and topical importance—but avoid hype.
Align proposal with DORA principles and structured formats.
Structure your team effectively (small & focused).
If equally strong, a tie-breaker lottery may work in your favor.
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:
The following projects are not eligible:
Eligible Countries:
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: Wildhainweg 3 CH-3001 Bern
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Sep 16, 2025
Sep 16, 2025
$63,125
up to 252501.00
Affiliation: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Address: Wildhainweg 3 CH-3001 Bern
Website URL: https://www.snf.ch/en/JnT2xEAERCgO8qQc/funding/science-communication/agora
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.