Call for Participating Projects @Scientifica 2026

Published on Dec. 1, 2025 by Sina Horner

After our successful Data Donation Days 2024 and the inspiring participation at Scientifica 2023, the Data Donation Lab plans its next outreach event at the Scientifica 2026. Scientifica is scheduled for August 29-30 and will be Switzerland’s largest science festival, jointly organized by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. Similar to the previous outreach events, we would like to invite different projects to showcase their application of data donations. Participating projects will benefit from increased public visibility and the chance to collect valuable data for their research.

Beside these benefits for individual projects, our joint goal will be to raise public awareness of this innovative methodological approach, familiarize visitors with its principles, and offer them the opportunity to engage with ongoing data donation projects.

Proposals should provide information regarding the following issues:

  • Involved institutions and persons
  • Research question(s) and its societal relevance
  • Description of the data requested from participants (e.g., google search history)
  • Short description of how the data takeout works (how can participants access their data)
  • Feedback to participants (what insights will be provided to the participants and when)
  • Context of the proposed project (e.g., pilot study, supplement to an ongoing project, etc.)

Based on the participating projects we will decide on the best form of presentation. According to the organizers this could include:

  • Exhibition booth: Similar to the last Scientifica and the Data Donation Days this would allow us to present our research and engage with visitors' questions on an individual basis.
  • Workshops: We could try to offer a “guided tour” through one or various projects people could participate.
  • Shows or lectures: Here we could present some findings and motivate people to participate on the spot or at the booth.

Please send your proposal by mail to Thomas Friemel (th.friemel@ikmz.uzh.ch) and/or Sina Horner (s.horner@ikmz.uzh.ch) before 31.12.2025.

Download the Call:
Scientifica26_Call for Project Proposals