“Private support for science and research at universities is still exceptional in domestic conditions. I am very pleased that the Simona Kijonková Foundation has become our fifth partner in the INFC interdisciplinary cooperation project. It ranks among the pioneers of cooperation between the private sector and universities and helps create top scientific results that ultimately benefit society as a whole,” says Prof. Michal Pěchouček, Rector of CTU.
The program has previously been supported by private donors Credo Foundation, Pale Fire Capital, WOOD & Company Endowment Fund and IOCB Tech Group. Together, they provided 24 million crowns, which form the basis of the CTU Future Fund. This enables rapid and flexible support for new research directions that are not covered by conventional grant schemes. The INFC partners particularly emphasize that interdisciplinary cooperation and the courage to cross the boundaries of established fields are key to the creation of excellent teams, innovations and promising spin-offs.
The CTU INFC program is intended for young scientists from various CTU faculties and institutes who will jointly prepare an ambitious interdisciplinary project. Supported teams can draw up to 6 million crowns for a period of two years. This year, up to ten projects will be selected that have the potential to become the basis for new research centers, technology companies or receive follow-up international grant support.
The program complements the existing CTU Starting Grant, which the university finances from its own budget and which brings young scientific talents from abroad to CTU. While the Starting Grant supports the establishment of new research groups, the INFC focuses on academics who are already working at CTU and is intended to be an impetus for the development of interdisciplinary teams, cooperation with industry and entrepreneurship.
Applications for the program can be sent until July 31, 2026.
