Scimpact: Your introduction to science communication

Digitalization, equal opportunities, or climate change: sustainable solutions can only be found when scientific findings are incorporated into public debate. But how does good science communication work? And how can you contribute your perspective?

At Scimpact, you will learn exactly that! You can expect a structured training program with tailored workshops, individual coaching, and practical experience through the implementation of your own science communication project.

You will become part of the Reatch community: committed young people who want to make science understandable and actively shape social change.

The 6th-round Scimpact participants

6th round kickoff

5th round kickoff

Midpoint event 5th round

4th round kickoff

3rd round kickoff

3rd round kickoff

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7

How is the program structured?

The Scimpact program is based on three central pillars: workshops, individual coaching, and the practical implementation of your own project. It is divided into two phases, each lasting six months.*

In each phase, you will carry out a project: either you organize (alone or in pairs) an event, write a blog post, or record a podcast episode. You will be accompanied by experienced coaches.

Examples of Scimpact projects can be found here:

New this year: In cooperation with the Wegweiser Foundation, we are awarding the Ethics Award for the first time.

What will I learn at Scimpact?

At Scimpact, you will develop key skills for effective science communication:

  • You will learn how to tailor content to specific target groups, give compelling presentations, and develop your own communication formats to raise awareness of your topic beyond the scientific community.
  • The program strengthens your methodological skills and gives you the tools you need to implement projects effectively.
  • You will expand your network and meet committed people from different scientific fields and universities throughout Switzerland.

Which events and workshops are available?

  • Kickoff Event, Zürich

    18.10.2025, 10.00 - 15.30

  • Blog Workshop I, online

    04.11.2025, 18:30 - 20:30

  • Storytelling Workshop I, Zurich

    27.11.2025, 18:30 - 20:30

  • Storytelling Workshop II, Zürich

    11.12.2025, 18:30 - 20:30

  • Moderations Workshop

    14.01.2026, 18:30 - 20:30

  • SciComm Schweiz, Zürich

    25.02.2026, 18:30 - 20:30

  • Midpoint Event, Bern

    28.03.2026

  • Workshop Swiss Political System

  • Blogworkshop II, online

    tba

  • Ethik-Workshop

    21.04.2026

  • Video-Workshop I, Zürich

    07.05.2026, 18:30 - 20:30

  • Video-Workshop II, Zürich

    20.05.2026, 18:30 - 20:30

  • Final Celebration, Bern

    September 2026

How much does Scimpact cost?

Participation costs a one-time fee of CHF 80 for the entire duration of the program and includes the Reatch membership fee for two years. In addition, some train travel may be required as part of the program.

It is important to us that money is not a barrier to your participation. If you need financial support, please contact us—we will work together to find a solution.

How much effort does Scimpact require?

The time commitment for the Scimpact program depends on your chosen format and the respective phase. Basically, you can decide for yourself how much time you want to devote to the program and organize your time flexibly.

For workshops and exchange meetings, you should plan on about 2 hours of preparation per week on average. If you are organizing an event, the time commitment increases to about 4 hours per week. These figures are intended as guidelines.

Who can apply?

Whether you are studying, working, doing an apprenticeship, going to school, or otherwise engaged in other activities, Scimpact is open to anyone in Switzerland between the ages of 18 and 30 who wants to bring scientific perspectives to social discussions.

The application is closed! We will contact all the applicants within the next days to discuss further steps.

Do you have any questions? Write us!

If you have any questions about the application, the content, or Scimpact in general, please feel free to contact Iris at any time. We look forward to hearing from you!

Scimpact in numbers

Over 120 fellows from more than 15 educational institutions have participated in Scimpact in six rounds. Since its launch in 2019, Scimpact has developed into an established support program that inspires young people to engage with the intersection of science and society.

The successes of our fellows speak for themselves:

  • Over 65 inspiring events on current topics were organized—from discussion panels to lectures.
  • In more than 36 workshops, skills in communication, moderation, and project management were expanded.
  • 30 blog articles and podcast episodes were published to share ideas and research findings with the public.

The Scimpact Fellows were supported by over 30 experienced coaches who provided advice and assistance.

Head of Program

Iris Suter

Iris Suter

Co-Lead Scimpact

Iris studied molecular biology at the University of Berne and is particularly interested in genetics. She was part of Scimpact herself and is now co-lead of Scimpact. She spends her free time primarily building worlds and learning more about geophysics, ecology and anthropology.

Sarah Evison

Sarah Evison

Sarah hat an der Universität Basel Geschichte und Philosophie studiert, mit einem besonderen Fokus auf Umweltgeschichte und Osteuropäische Geschichte. Ab Herbst 2025 promoviert sie zur Geschichte von Klimazukünften und Climate-Engineering in Osteuropa. Sie war selbst Fellow im Scimpact-Programm und gestaltet Scimpact inzwischen als Co-Leiterin mit.

Your coaches at Scimpact

Maria Dimitru

Maria Dimitru

Team nanoTalks

Maria is doing a doctorate in neuroscience and epigenetics, focusing on the long-term effects of stress on the brain. She is interested in how science can inform policy and help society. In her free time, she likes to bake, read a good novel and listen to music.

Vilhelmiina Haavisto

Vilhelmiina Haavisto

Blog and NanoTalks

Vilhelmiina is a PhD student at ETH Zürich, where she works with marine microbial communities. She is also a freelance science writer with a broad range of interests, from microbiology to biodiversity and sustainability.

Jose Luis Ocana Pujol

Jose Luis Ocana Pujol

nanoTalk Team

Patrick Gäumann

Patrick Gäumann

PPS Team

Elisabeth Abs

Elisabeth Abs

Blog-Team

Elisabeth is part of the Reatch blog team and focuses on the exchange between science, society and politics. She is a neuroscientist and does research at the Institute of Neuroinformatics at ETH Zurich.

Sarah Wildi

Sarah Wildi

PPS-Team

Sarah studiert Kulturwissenschaften in Luzern und interessiert sich besonders für soziale und politische Fragen. Sie beschäftigt sich gerne mit philosophischen Themen und schätzt den Austausch darüber.

Marcel Vogt

Marcel Vogt

Lead Podcast

Marcel studied information science in Lyon and works in the banking world on new technologies and digitalization projects. He combines his interest in journalism with his enthusiasm for scientific topics as a podcast manager at Reatch.

Philipp Spillmann

Philipp Spillmann

Philipp ist Doktorand der Wissenschaftsphilosphie mit Fokus auf Umweltwissenschaften und Astrobiologie. Er interessiert sich für Alles rund um Wissenschaft, Natur und Gesellschaft.

Rasmus Ischebeck

Rasmus Ischebeck

RRH Team

Rasmus Ischebeck ist Mitglied der Projektgruppe Zukunft der Arbeit bei Reatch und arbeitet am Paul Scherrer Institut in Villigen.

Support

Stiftung Wegweiser

The project was made possible thanks to the support of the Wegweiser Stiftung.

Support in the past

Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Bund Cropped Hasler Logo Horizontal Ernst Goehner Stiftung Mobiliar UZH alumni Wali Dad Lo Ro Logo Beneficiaires RVB