Academy of the Future

Support for Excellence and Careers within the Czech Academy of Sciences

Programs A, B, C – already implemented at BFÚ in 2026
Program E – already implemented at BFÚ in 2026; 3 applicants for a reintegration grant were supported
- Gabriela Ambrožová: AhR Ligands as Regulators of Anti-Tumor Immunity in Melanoma
- Jana Perečková: From treatment to metastasis: radiotherapy and hypoxia reprogram neutrophils in head and neck cancer
- Martina Outlá: Electrochemical behavior of selected ligands recognizing G-quadruplexes in the absence and presence of various DNA structures
The program will complement the existing programs supporting excellence and careers.
The Academy of the Future will have its own budget starting in 2026 (proposed CZK 100 million), increasing in subsequent years (CZK 170 million).
Gradual implementation is planned, with a total duration of 10 years.

In 2026, internal calls will be announced for:

Program D: Support for Returns and Acquisition from Abroad and Their Integration into the CAS Environment
Program F: Support for the Development of Excellent Research Groups

The selection of grant holders will be managed by individual CAS institutes. The calls are expected in May 2026.

Program D
- Target group: Researchers from abroad, including those returning to the Czech Republic (e.g., after postdoctoral stays)
- Purpose: To support the return and recruitment of researchers from leading international institutions to CAS institutes
- Form: Scientific project proposal for a three-year period (CZK 2 million/year)
- Eligible costs: Personnel costs (principal investigator and possibly team members) and other non-investment costs directly related to the supported research activity

Program F
- Target group: Support for excellent research groups
- Purpose: To foster the development of research groups that have demonstrated international excellence, represent internationally recognized research schools, work with young talent, and provide a platform for their education and development toward excellence
- Form: Scientific project proposal for a two-year period (up to CZK 5 million/year)
- Eligible costs: Personnel costs of research group members and other non-investment costs related to the supported research

It will build on PPLZ. Beneficiaries included in support from January 1, 2026, or earlier will continue to be funded under the existing PPLZ rules.
Project selection will be internal at the institute level, based on recommended criteria derived from current PPLZ rules.
From 2027, the program will be included in the allocation for fellowships and reintegration, and the existing allocation will be increased by funds previously allocated to PPLZ.
The total allocation for institutes for 2027 will be announced in autumn (September–October). Funds may be freely transferred between fellowships / reintegration / PPP within the year, but unspent funds must be returned.
Institutes are recommended to carry out internal selection of candidates based on transparent rules and in a timely manner so that PPP funding can begin on January 1, 2027. Selection should reflect the needs of the specific institute (e.g., preference for newly incoming postdoctoral researchers).

Support for Establishing Scientific Incubators

Subprogram G
- Target group: Support for the establishment of scientific incubators
- Purpose: To enable teams developing the commercial potential of intellectual property
- Form: Commercialization project (“Proof of Concept”) for a two-year period (up to CZK 2 million/year)
- Eligible costs: Non-investment costs related to the supported activity and personnel costs of team members

More information (only in Czech)