News Archive

The group of Dr. Pavla Perlíková (https://uoch.vscht.cz/research-groups/perlikova-en) at the Department of Organic Chemistry of the University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT) in Prague is looking for PhD students in organic/medicinal chemistry. Two PhD topics are announced for 2024/2025.

Synthesis of inhibitors of the Arp2/3 complex

Migrastatics represent a new concept of drugs with a great potential to improve the outcome of the current cancer treatment strategies by inhibiting metastatic behavior of cancer cells. Our goal is to use rational design to develop new inhibitors of actin polymerization by targeting the Arp2/3 complex (actin-polymerization nucleator). The project includes a synthesis of hits from virtual screening and its optimization and structure-activity relationship studies. The position is funded by a prestigious Junior STAR grant by the Czech Science Foundation.

Synthesis of inhibitors of transcription factors involved in metabolic diseases

Transcription factors play an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Deregulation of key protein synthesis leads to a variety of metabolic diseases. The aim of this work is to use rational drug design to prepare suitable inhibitors of selected transcription factors and to further investigate the structure-activity relationship. The position is funded by the Excellent Research Call OP JAK project.

We offer:

·        Study at the largest higher education institution devoted to education and research in the field of chemistry in Central Europe

·        Work in a small team and friendly environment

• 36-month contract (salary + scholarship)
• Low cost of living in tolerant, progressive and secure country with rich cultural and natural heritage

·        Study in the heart of Europe with convenient transport connections to the whole world

We are looking for:

·        Highly motivated candidates with background in synthetic organic chemistry

·        MSc. degree in organic/medicinal chemistry (or soon-to-be graduate)

·        Pro-active, flexible and responsible students

·        Excellent command of English (oral and written)

Timelines:

·        Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

·        Expected start: September 2024

How to apply

Please send a motivation letter covering the reason for application, skills and abilities, professional interests and expectations (maximum one page), your CV, and a letter of recommendation by the MSc. advisor via email to pavla.perlikova@vscht.cz. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an online interview.

For more information, please contact the Projet Centre (Miroslava.Grunwaldt@vscht.cz).

The Czech-UNDP Partnership for SDGs is looking for experts who are interested in collaborating in selected fields within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of the cooperation is especially to transfer Czech experience and know-how in the target countries. Czech expertise is shared through hands-on experience and trainings in the partner countries. This includes technological assistance, expert consulting, preparation of feasibility studies, specialized on-site trainings, and study trips or professional internships.  Experts, who are listed in the UNDP database, can be invited to work together for up to 90 days to develop long-term solutions that will bring positive change to local communities and organisations.

Interested in working with CUP? The Project Centre is happy to help you get in touch with UNDP - please contact Miroslava.Grunwaldt@vscht.cz.

If you are interested in the EIC calls, please contact the Project Centre (Miroslava.Grunwaldt@vscht.cz).

Work Programmes for the years 2023 and 2024 have been officially published on the website of the European Commission. Those, who are interested to participate in calls published by the European Commission within the programme Horizon Europe, can find details of the calls in the respective Work Programme.

Event Details

• Date and Time: 14th December, 9:00 - 10:30, see calendar 
• Location: Uhelna, UCT Prague (Building A, Technická 5, Prague 6)
• Agenda: A chance to casually connect and engage with our newly formed team of Data Stewards, dedicated to helping you navigate the nuances of research data management, data publishing, and data arrangements.

• Gain valuable insights into the concepts of data stewardship and open science.
• Learn about the practical aspects of research data management and data publishing.
• Understand the significance of implementing a Data Management Plan (DMP) in your grants.
• Explore how adherence to FAIR principles can amplify the accessibility and reusability of your data.

We look forward to meeting you on the 14th of December. If you have any questions beforehand, feel free to reach out!

• Ing. Martin Schätz, Ph.D. ORCiD Profile
• Ing. Jan Vališ ORCiD Profile
• Georgia Koutentaki, MEng. Orcid Profile
• Ing. Adam Sklenář ORCiD Profile
• Ing. Eva Hnátková, Ph.D. ORCiD Profile

Contact person of the Project Centre:

EIT Culture & Creativity invites you to take part in shaping the first foundations of its emerging ecosystem with activities in the different areas of education, innovation, creation and society: 

The purpose of this call is to accelerate innovation to create positive change in the food system. It seeks to tackle the significant issues of the agrifood supply chain in the Central and Eastern European region, namely: pressure on the supply chain, low investment in intellectual property, lack of intra- and inter- sectoral cooperation, and need for investment in sustainability. By means of this Call for Proposals, EIT Food wants to begin easing pressure on the food supply chain in the mentioned region.

Who can apply: All organizations, both EIT Food partners and new applicants from EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe (see Call description).

Budget: €750,000 

Funding rate: max. 70%

Project duration: up to 24 months

Deadline: June 5, 2023

More information:

Call description

Webinar

Presentation

The Open Innovation Factory 2023 program supports entrepreneurial teams from all over Europe in the field of education, research, corporations, and other business organizations in supporting early-stage digital DeepTech startups.

Who can apply: Entrepreneurial teams and organizations in the early stages of digital technology development, including companies, research and technology organizations, and universities collaborating with entrepreneurial teams.

Budget: 400,000 Euros

Project duration: up to 6 months (1st cut-off: July 1 - December 31, 2023, 2nd cut-off: January 1 - June 30, 2024)

Deadline: 1st cut-off: May 15, 2023, 2nd cut-off: November 13, 2023, 5PM

More information:

https://www.eitdigital.eu/open-innovation-factory-2023/

Open Innovation Factory 2023 - call document

Cut-off 1 specific dokument

Brokerage Event - May 5, 2023 – please register!!

UCT Prague is partner of EIT Digital. Please get in touch with miroslava.grunwaldt@vscht.cz to learn more.

Circular bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking supports projects focused on the development of innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions, with emphasis on these strategic priorities: feedstock, processing, products, as well as cross-cutting aspects of communication and environmental sustainability.

Who can apply: any legal entity (public, private, not-profit or for-profit) - large companies, small and medium-sized businesses, research and technological organizations, universities, associations

Deadline: September 20, 2023

More information: Info day May 20, 2023 - online, viz https://www.cbe.europa.eu/events/cbe-ju-info-day-2023

https://www.cbe.europa.eu/open-calls-proposals

https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents

Type of actions: 

Innovation Actions (IA) - flagship a Innovation Actions (IA) - 4-5 years

Research an Innovation Actions (RIA) – 3-4 years

Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) – 2-3 years

Supported activities and funding level:

• Optimised and integrated wood-based value chain - 17M (IA - flagship)
• Expansion and/or retro-fitting of biorefineries towards higher-value bio-based chemicals and intermediates - 17M (IA - flagship)
• Bio-based packaging materials - 17M (IA - flagship)
• Small-scale biorefining in rural areas - 10M (IA - flagship)
• Small biorefineries in rural areas - 15M (IA)
• Production of safe, sustainable, and efficient bio-based fertilisers to improve soil health and quality - 15M (IA)
• Improve fermentation processes (including downstream purification) to final bio-based products - 15M (AI)
• Recycling of bio-based plastics - 15M (IA)
• Development of scalable, safe bio-based surfactants with an improved sustainability profile - 15M (IA)
• Selective, sustainable production routes towards bio-based alternatives to fossil-based chemical building blocks - 15M (IA)
• High performance, circular-by design, bio-based composites - 15M (IA)
• Phyto-management; soil remediation with industrial crops, utilization of contaminated and saline soils for industrial crop production - 10M (RIA)
• Optimised forest-based value chains for high-value applications and improved forest management - 10M (RIA)
• Robust and optimised industrial biotech and chemical/industrial biotech processes - 10M (RIA)
• Development of novel, high-performance bio-based polymers and co-polymers - 10M (RIA)
• Pre-normative research to develop standards for biodegradability of bio-based products in controlled and open environments - 5M (RIA)
• EU-wide network of pilot plants and testing facilities, improving SMEs and start-ups' access to scale-up - 1.5M (CSA)
• Supporting the capacity of regions in environmental sustainability assessment for the bio-based sectors - 3M (CSA)

Postdoctoral Fellowships under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA PF) of the European Comission give researchers holding a PhD a chance to gain new skills and experience whilst carrying out their own research project abroad. The call is expected to fund over 1 200 projects.

Funding options and success rate:

Additional budget is available from the Programme Jan Amos Komenský (OP JAK) for proposals with high evaluation score not reaching the grant directly from the MSCA PF call budget, both for fellowships in the Czech Republic and abroad. UCT Prague has secured funding for over 30 projects from this source since 2017, next to 9 incoming fellowships funded directly from the EU budget (overall rate of UCT funded/submitted proposals: 64% in 2022, 42% in 2021).

Topic:

any scientific field

Contact person: Anna Konecká (anna.konecka@vscht.cz), ext. 4403

During June 2023, we expect the opening of the call CHALLENGE FUND - Czech Solutions for SDGs. This call has been opened several times in previous years and University of Chemistry and Technology Prague has already succeeded with two projects - BLESGY, led by Dr. Kapila from the Department of Economics and Management, and Ecological product innovation lab at the Moldovan Agrifood Business Incubator, led by Doc. Doležal from the Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition.

This call supports both the transfer of Czech innovations and know-how to partner countries Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Cambodia. It is suitable for research groups as well as service departments focusing on, for example, the education of students, teachers, and administrative staff or the connection of universities with industry and the business sphere.

More information about the Challenge Fund from previous years can be found on the UNDP website or on the Project Centre website. If you are interested in the call, it is advisable to start looking for a local partner now.

The Ministry of the Interior announced a public competition in the Czech Security Research Programme 2021-2026: development, testing and evaluation of new security technologies (SECTECH). Please check for details on the Czech version of this website.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has launched 3 calls for proposals in the Mobility activity (Austria, France, Germany). Project proposals must be prepared in the Czech language, therefore, please go to the Czech version of this website.

Important: Check for further information and internal guidelines on the Project Centre intranet! 

Important: Check for the internal guidelines on the intranet of the Project Centre! 

Bring your idea out of the lab and onto the market!

EIT Jumpstarter is a pre-accelerator programme for innovators in the healthcare, agri-food, raw materials, energy, urban mobility, digital, manufacturing industries and the New European Bauhaus.

Target groups:

Scientific project teams, innovators, scientists, PhD students or master’s students

EIT Jumpstarter is ideal for teams with innovative business idea, who want to jumpstart their company. With the contribution of best-in-class experts, creative community, unique know-how our aim is to support idea-holders to turn their ideas into business. We help them build a viable business model around their innovative product or service idea, validate it and if their business idea is proven to be sustainable, we encourage them to register their company.

We introduce teams to partners, investors, regulatory bodies and companies that can produce their products, their first buyer or a test site. They meet major innovation hubs in Europe, which is important when they want to enter foreign markets.

Information webinar:

On the 20^th of March 2023 at 13:00 – 14:00 CET, you can register here

Application deadline:     16th April 2023

Applications shall be evaluated on a rolling basis; therefore, applicants are encouraged to complete their application form earlier than the expiration of the application deadline

Apply through:                   https://apply.eitjumpstarter.eu/

More information:

https://eitjumpstarter.eu/ 

https://eitfoodhub.vscht.cz/activities-2023/eit-jumpstarter

The Technology Centre Prague informs that National Contact Points for Horizon Europe prepared an annotated template of a project proposal to assist applicants to the Research and Innovation Actions and Innovation Actions in the EU R&I Framework Programme Horizon Europe to better understand the requirements of the template. The handbook has been prepared as part of the project Bridge2HE.

The Research Fellows Conference 2022 will be held on 15th November 2022 in meeting room No 2319, Zikova 4, building B, 1st floor, from 2 p.m. to 4.10 p.m. followed by discussion and refreshments (in present form). During the conference, early carrier researchers, taking part in the projects Chemfells, ChemJets a MSCA PF, will present their results.

The conference will be in English and all UCT Prague employees, doctoral students and students of master's programs are invited.

You can find more information about the speakers and the conference programme here. 

Those, who are interested, are kindly asked to register here.

The programme L’Oréal-UNESCO For women in science supports female scientists at the beginning of their carrier. 

Learn more about the opportunity on the website of the programme.

Don´t miss the deadline which is on the 31^st of December 2022!

A summary of the programme in the Czech language can be found here.

The Technology Centre CAS invites you to take part in several info sessions on calls, which will be opened in 2023 within the programme Horizon Europe. The sessions will take place between 21^st and 24^th of November. Concrete days and places, including links for registration are to be found in the attached leaflet.

The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic has invited to submit project proposal within four different calls for proposals:

Water4All Joint Call 2022 - The joint transnational call is launched in the framework of the European partnership Water4All and will support research and innovation projects aimed at delivering knowledge, models, approaches, tools and methodologies to better understand hydrological processes at different scale, in order to respond more efficiently to emerging water issues related to extreme events.

Biodiversity Partnership Joint Call 2022 - The Call for Transnational Research Proposals on “Improved transnational monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem change for science and society” is open.

Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Joint Call 2022 - The purpose of this Call is to support transnational research and/or innovation projects addressing urban challenges to help cities in their transition towards a more sustainable economy and functioning.

Clean Energy Transition (CET) Partnership Joint Call 2022 - The focus is laid on solutions and technologies to enable and accelerate the Clean Energy Transition.

Please follow the links above or the Czech version of the website to learn more about the open calls. 

Should you be interested in the calls, please read the internal instructions on the intranet or contact Mrs. Iveta Pospíšilová (Iveta.Pospisilova@vscht.cz).

The Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic announced a call for project proposals for security research. The call text is available only in the Czech language, therefore, please follow the Czech version of the website for more information.

ERA Talents is a new funding scheme within the programme Horizon Europe. It supports training and mobility of research and innovation (academic and non-academic) staff across sectors with a particular focus on Widening Countries (incl. Czech Republic). This call is part of Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), however expenses for research activities are also eligible.

Scope: In this funding scheme, no research plan is required. Emphasis is laid on the mobility/recruitment methodology. Involvement of early career researchers is necessary, however, PhD students are not eligible. The call is suitable for research groups who want to establish exchange of researchers among the consortium partners.

Who can apply: Min. 3 entities from 3 different Member States or Associated Countries, min. 2 entities must be from a Widening Country; the coordinator must be from a Widening Country. The consortium must contain partners from the academic and non-academic sector.

Budget: 1-3 million €

Supported activities: The grant covers administrative costs, training costs, travel and subsistence costs and salaries for seconded staff, and costs associated with dissemination and communication and knowledge transfer.

Reimbursement rate: 100%

Duration of project: Up to 4 years

Deadline: 15.11.2022, 17:00h

More information: ERA Talents on the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal.

FAQs can be downloaded here.

Please contact us to receive presentations with more information on the Call.

Should you be interested in the Call, please contact the Project Centre (Miroslava Grünwaldt, Miroslava.Grunwaldt@vscht.cz).

The Technology Centre CAS has prepared a series of info events with focus on projects within the programme Horizon Europe. All events will be held in Czech, therefore, please follow the Czech version of this webpage in order to learn more.

If you want to know more about open calls as well as info and matchmaking events within Horizon Europe, follow the portal Horizon Europe of the Technology Centre CAS.

Twinning aims to enhance networking activities between the research institutions of the Widening countries acting as coordinators and top-class leading counterparts at European Union level by linking it with at least two research institutions from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Therefore, building on the huge potential of networking for excellence through knowledge transfer and exchange of best practice between research institutions and partners. Twinning actions intend to help raise the research profile of the institution from the Widening country as well as the research profile of its staff including a special focus on strengthening the research management and administrative skills of the coordination institution from the Widening country.

Who can apply?

Researcher of any career stage and any research field. The research institution of the Widening coutry (i.e. Czech Republic) must participate as coordinator, and the consortium must be joined by at least two other advanced research institutions from two different Member States or Associated Countries.

Budget per project: 0,8-1,5 million €

Up to 100 projects are expected to be funded.

Reimbursement rate: 100%

Supported activities: knowledge exchange, mobility (fellowships), organization of seminars, workshops, conferences, development of joint R&I strategies, actions to improve project/support offices at the Widening institution, dissemination and exploitation, max. 30% of budget can be dedicated to research activities.

Duration of the project: Up to 3 years

Deadline: September 28, 2023

More information:

Twinning Bottom-Up

Twinning Green Deal

The Work Programme with details of this call is to be found here, relevant are pages 6-12 and 19-28.

Info day in the Technology Centre Prague (please register)  - May 24, 2023, 10:00-14:00

Preparation of project proposal step by step (UCT Prague) - date to be announced

The Project Centre provides support during proposal preparation. Learn more on intranet.

Contact person Miroslava.Grunwaldt@vscht.cz. 

Applicants have been invited to submit proposals within the Programme for Environment and Climate Action LIFE.

• LIFE - call for proposals 2022 - more information, videos and presentations ​
• CINEA

National contact point of the programme LIFE: Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic (MŽP): life@mzp.cz, tel. 267 122 017 nebo 267 122 196. You can receive support in form of consultations as well as other forms of support while preparing your project proposal. 

To read the full version of this news, please follow the Czech version of the website.

Should you be interested in the call, please contact the Project Centre (Lenka Kristýna Krouzová - Lenka.Kristyna.Krouzova@vscht.cz, tel. 736 193 995).​

Visegrad Fund supports projects that aim to share knowledge, enhance innovation and engage citizens both in the Visegrad region (V4 – Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Poland, Hungary) and throughout Central and Eastern Europe. 

Visegrad Fund awards grants via 3 different grant schemes - Visegrad Grants, Visegrad+ Grants a Strategic Grants.

Current open call: 1.9.-1.10.2022 (12.00 CET)

Who can apply:

• consortium of organizations of which at least 3 are based in different V4 countries (as for the Strategic Grants, participants must be from all four V4 countries)
• all types of non-governmental, civil society organizations; municipalities, and local governments; schools, higher education institutions; research and scientific bodies; public institutions
• market actors, e.g. companies (especially innovation and startup-related actors) – but only if their Visegrad project is of nonprofit character

Duration of projects:

Visegrad Grants – max. 18 months

Visegrad+ Grants – max. 18 months

Strategic Grants – min. 12 months, max. 36 months

Field focus:

To apply for Visegrad Grants and Visegrad+ Grants, the project must fit in one of the seven focus areas eligible for funding and be identified with one concrete objective which best corresponds with the project’s aims. The focus areas and objective for each grant scheme can be found on the Visegrad Fund’s website - Visegrad Grants – Objectives a Visegrad+ Grants – Objectives.

As for Strategic Grants, the project must fulfill one of the strategic priorities establisehd by the Visegrad Fund. More information is available on the Visegrad Fund’s website - Strategic Grants – Strategic Priorities.

Reimbursement rate:

The Visegrad Fund can cover total project costs estimated in each proposal but may also choose concrete outputs to be supported. Additional support from actors other than the Fund is highly encouraged – be it financial contributions by the applicant, partners and/or other donors or sponsors or non-financial (in-kind contributions of the applicant or partners such as volunteer work, use of own premises, etc.).

More information: https://www.visegradfund.org/news/visegrad-grants-open-call/

Contact person of the Project Centre: Anna Chmelová (Anna.Chmelova@vscht.cz; +420 220 44 3301)

If you are interested in submitting a project proposal, please contact Anna Chmelová – only a limited number of projects can be submitted for the institution.

Challenge Labs Central Eastern Europe is an event organised by the European Institute of Technology and Innovation (EIT). It is an innovation design marathon aimed at developing concepts for new products and technological solutions in the food and FMCG industries.

The event is carried out in the form of a Design Sprint lasting from 29 September to 15 October, during which project teams take part in workshop sessions and design meetings moderated by experts in the field of Design thinking and Service design, and end with investor presentations of their solutions.

Who can participate?

Apply to take part in the food design marathon of the future if you are:

• graduate
• researcher
• doctoral student
• young professional
• professional
• expert 
• or someone with knowledge and experience in areas such as: food technology, biotechnology, agriculture, nutritional sciences, IT, social sciences, business studies, marketing

Deadline for application: 24.7.2022.

More information at: https://challengelabs.eu/ 

Schedule: https://challengelabs.eu/schedule/

The Challenge Fund: Czech Solutions for SDGs aims to:

• bring innovative solutions for a variety of development challenges to different communities, based on Czech expertise and know-how;
• support the innovative solutions designed for the communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Georgia, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Moldova and Republic of Zambia;
• be a competitive and transparent mechanism that provides grant finance for innovative projects which generate improvement and value by introducing new approaches, ideas, services or products.

Deadline: 31.7.2022

More details at:

• https://undp.cz/challenge-fund/project-portfolio/ a 
• https://undp.cz/challenge-fund-2022-applications-are-open/

The full version of the news is available in Czech.