MEYS – Call for project proposals in V4 + Republic of Korea format

The call focuses on cooperation in the Clean Energy and Bio and Material fields. The consortium can be composed of at least 3 partners: Korea + 2 V4 (different countries), Korea + 3 V4, Korea + 4 V4. 1+1 consortium model is not possible. The text of the call and further information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) or on the Projects website. Deadline for submission of project applications to the MEYS is 12 May 2023, faculty deadline: 8 May 2023 (green request form "košilka" + Brief project information). Queries may be addressed to Ing. Tea Pokorná (tea.pokorna@upol.cz).

MEYS – Announcement of 2 calls QuantERA ERA-NET Cofund in Quantum Technologies II.

• Quantum Phenomena and Resources (QPR, involving basic research projects)
• Applied Quantum Science (AQS, involving applied research projects)

QuantERA Program ERA-NET Cofund in Quantum Technologies II. supports research in the field of quantum technologies. The complete wording of these calls, including the list of participating countries, funding organizations, time schedule, definition of key objectives, supported areas, expected project impacts, or forms for project proposals can be found on this website, all information about the calls are available in the Call Announcement document.

Both calls are single-round with the deadline for submitting project proposals no later than May 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. CET; faculty deadline: May 9, 2023. More information can be found on the DPS website or contact Ing. Tea Pokorná (tea.pokorna@upol.cz).

HORIZON EUROPE – EC updated work programme 2023-2024

At the end of March 2023, the European Commission updated the 2023-2024 HE Work Programme. The additional investment is intended to support research and innovation that underpins civil security for society, renewable energy themes and European innovation ecosystems. More information can be found on the European Commission website.

HORIZON EUROPE – Anonymous evaluation in HE programme

In addition to the extension of lump sum funding, the Horizon Europe work programme for the period 2023-2024 has introduced an innovation in the form of a pilot of so-called blind evaluation. The main thrust of the new evaluation is to anonymise the identity of the organisations featuring in the project proposal to ensure a more objective approach by evaluators and to avoid bias and mistrust towards applicants from countries with lower research intensity. The blind evaluation is now tested in the first round for all calls with a two-round evaluation except for the Widening calls. Anonymisation of project proposals has thus become a new eligibility criterion.

HORIZON EUROPE – MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (European/Global)

Under the Marie Curie-Skłodowska Actions of the Horizon Europe programme, the European Commission funds research and innovation projects to support the careers of top researchers through mobility and innovative postdoctoral training. The aim is to enhance the creative and innovative potential of PhD researchers who want to acquire new skills through advanced training, international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility.

The call for MSCA PF 2023 applications will be open: April 12, 2023 – September 13, 2023.

• 2 types of MSCA: European Fellowship (EU countries + associated countries, 12-24 months) and Global Fellowship (12-24 months + 12 months return part in EU + associated countries)
• PF conditions: min. Ph.D., you can apply max. 8 years after Ph.D. defense (extended by maternity leave)
• Funding: from HE (project evaluation above 93%), from ERA Fellowships (above 91% of project evaluation), from OP JAK – MSCA (70-90% of project evaluation; 5% co-financing from the department)

In case of interest, please, contact Ing. Tea Pokorná (tea.pokorna@upol.cz).

The Czech Science Foundation (GA CR) – deadlines for submitting foreign parts of project proposals – bilateral projects

In accordance with the tender documentation for international projects for the year 2024 (Article 3.2 (4)), after submitting a project proposal, the applicant must submit to the Czech Science Foundation in electronic form (via ISDS with the identifier "ntq92qs") a project proposal of a foreign proposer submitted to a foreign provider (if the Czech project proposal is not available at the time of submission). Please indicate the name of the agency – foreign part as the subject of the report.

The foreign part of the project proposal with Taiwan's NSTC must be submitted no later than 20 April 2023; with Brazil's FAPESP no later than 22 May 2023; and with Korea's NRF no later than 14 July 2023.

To submit the foreign part of the project, please contact the Department of Project Support – Mgr. Ľubica Korcanová at lubica.korcanova@upol.cz. More information here.

The Czech Science Foundation (GA CR) – Belgian and Ukrainian agencies are looking for foreign experts for panels

The Belgian agency Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) and the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) are looking for international evaluators for their panels, across all fields of basic research. For the Belgian FWO, the deadline for applications is 1 May 2023, all necessary information can be found directly on the FWO website. For the Ukrainian NRFU, the call is open continuously, all information can be found on the NRFU website.

In case of queries, please contact the relevant foreign agency directly (FWO at vacancies@fwo.be, NRFU at nrfu@nrfu.org.ua).

INTERREG EUROPE – 2nd call

The Interreg Europe programme has announced the 2nd call for project submissions. The deadline for submission has been set to 9 June 2023 12:00 (faculty deadline: 5 June 2023). This is a call for proposals for interregional cooperation projects with an expected implementation period of 4 years and a funding rate of up to 80% from the ERDF. The Interreg Europe programme primarily supports the exchange and transfer of experience, innovative approaches and capacity building between public authorities and other policy-making organisations across Europe to improve their policy instruments, regional development, including programmes under the Investment for employment and growth objective. More information can be found on Interreg Europe or on the DPS Projects website (in Czech).

TA CR – QuantERA II Call 2023: Quantum Technologies Research Call

The international call QuantERA II Call 2023 is focused on research in quantum technologies.

Call topics:

• Quantum Phenomena and Resources (basic research)
• Applied Quantum Science (applied research)

Businesses and research organisations can apply for support. Project proposals may be submitted by international project consortia consisting of at least three eligible independent partners from countries selected by the provider.

More information can be found on the DPS Projects website; in case of interest, please contact Mgr. Silvie Šavrňáková (silvie.savrnakova@upol.cz). Faculty deadline: May 4, 2023.

TA CR – M-ERA.NET 3 Call

The ERA-NET Cofund M-ERA.NET 3 Call 2023 is aimed at supporting projects in the field of materials research and innovation.

Call topics:

1. Sustainable advanced materials for energy
2. Innovative surfaces, coatings and interfaces
3. High performance composites
4. Functional materials
5. Advanced materials and technologies for health applications (TA CR can’t fund projects connected to Regenerative medicine)
6. Next generation materials for advanced electronics

Projects may be submitted by international consortia consisting of at least 3 partners from at least 3 participating countries (of which at least 2 EU member states or associated countries).

More information can be found on the DPS Projects website; in case of interest, please contact Mgr. Silvie Šavrňáková (silvie.savrnakova@upol.cz). Faculty deadline: May 9, 2023.

Internship – European Southern Observatory

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) has announced a call for applications for internships at the international astronomical organisation European Southern Observatory (ESO). The location of the internship is Germany or Chile, the duration is 6-12 months, and the scholarship that trainees receive is between EUR 2,500 and 3,000 per month (depending on the trainee's education and classification). Students, scientists and engineers working in any of the following fields are eligible to apply: astronomy, astrophysics, software engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, controlling, optics, operations engineering, project management. Applications will be accepted until 5 May 2023. Further information is also available here.

Select Ireland Erasmus+ Roadshow

Are you interested in studying in Ireland? Then you can't miss the Select Ireland Erasmus+ Roadshow that takes place in NH Prague City Hotel next Monday, 24 April, 10.00 - 12.00 a.m. Register for the event as soon as possible on this link, or check the general information here.

The regular meeting of the Academic Senate FS UP will take place on April 19, 2023 at 13:00 in the meeting room of the Dean's Office. Detailed information and materials as well as the link to the stream will be available on the senate website (in Czech).

Elections to the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Science

The elections to the Academic Senate will be held on:

• 26 April 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the ground floor of the Faculty of Science, 17. listopadu 12
• 27 April 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the library of the Faculty of Science at the Holice campus, Šlechtitelů 27

All details, including the candidate list, can be found on this website.

Nominate candidates to the UP Academic Senate

At the beginning of May, Palacký University will hold elections for a new Academic Senate. The key governing body of the university, which approves its budget, revises university regulations, and oversees events in dormitories and canteens, will be in office at UP from September for just under three years. The entire academic community now can nominate representatives of their faculty from among the teaching staff and students. More information can be found at upol.cz/elections.

Student Scientific Competition – Dean's Award

All students of the Faculty of Science are eligible to compete for the extraordinary scholarship in the ‘Student Scientific Competition – Dean's Award’ in the sections of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Ecology and Environment, and Earth Sciences. It is also possible to enrol in the poster section. The competition takes place on 4 May 2023 and you can register until 1 May on the website, where you can also find detailed information.

Foreign prospective students

The English faculty website for prospective student has been updated. If you have a prospective PhD student in English who has already agreed on a topic with the department, you can refer him/her to this website for further information on the application process.

Foreign PhD students

The foreign doctoral students agenda is now completely in charge of Mrs. Waleria Słowiková (waleria.slowikova@upol.cz) from the international section of the Study Affairs Office. Other English study programmes (Bachelor and Master) as well as foreign internships and mobilities (i.a. within the Erasmus+) fall within the competence of Mrs. Dana Gronychová (dana.gronychova@upol.cz).

State doctoral examination and dissertation defense

When submitting your dissertation or application for the state doctoral examination, adhere to the requirements and deadlines listed on the website in the section for Doctoral Study. Keep in mind that it needs to be done at least 3 months in advance.

Plans of study for academic year 2022/2023

The lists of courses (plans of study) for the academic year 2022/2023 can be found on the faculty websites.

Online confirmation of study

You can print your confirmation of study online directly from your Portal.

Closure of part of Šlechtitelů Street, adjustments to the route of bus lines 13, 22

We would like to inform you that in the period from 17 April to 18 July 2023 a part of Šlechtitelů Street in Olomouc-Holice will be closed due to the construction of a hot water pipeline. The Olomouc Transport Company (Dopravní podnik města Olomouc) will therefore modify the route of bus line number 22. Bus line number 13 will not be operated during the closure.

The planned complete closure concerns the part of Šlechtitelů Street from the intersection with ul. Holická to the intersection with ul. Technologická. Bus line number 22 will run on weekdays along an alternative route and will terminate at the Přichystalova bus stop. Transport to the Šlechtitelů location will be provided daily by bus line no. X22.

During the closure of Šlechtitelů Street, lines no. 22 and X22 will be operated according to the new timetables:

• Line 22 /working days/ valid from 17.4. to 18.7.2023 - closure Šlechtitelů
• Line 22 /holidays/ valid from 17.4. to 18.7.2023 - closure Šlechtitelů
• Line X22 /working days/ valid from 17.4. to 18.7.2023 - closure Šlechtitelů
• Line X22 /holidays/ valid from 17.4. to 18.7.2023 - closure Šlechtitelů

Academia Film Olomouc

The 58th international festival of popular science films Academia Film Olomouc starts on 25 April 2023. The theme of this year's festival is ECHO. At the core of AFO 58 programme you will find progressive educational films, discussions, and lectures on current topics. From the research of celestial bodies, artificial intelligence, issues regarding human biology or the interpretation of history to the position of women in science and society.

The festival also includes a children's programme AFO Junior. FAMU's Fairytale World will offer 7 short films including the award-winning animated film, “Pouštět draka”, at the Divadlo Na Cucky at 10:00. The Fort Science will feature several blocks of the Kosmix series, which follows an extraordinarily curious robot on his journey of discovery. Amalia Kovářová's series “Zvěd” will also be on the programme.

Majáles – Student May Festival

May is traditionally associated with the Olomouc Student May Festival – Majáles UP. This year's edition will take place on 2 and 3 May and will offer concerts, theatre, pub quiz, workshops, discussions, presentations of student clubs and non-profit organizations, and refreshments, on two stages (the courtyard of the Konvikt and the Armoury – Zbrojnice). A special feature of the programme will be a musical tram. The king of the Olomouc Majáles UP 2023 will be the theatre and film director and actor Miroslav Krobot. Detailed information coming soon at www.olomouckymajales.cz.

GameNight

Compare your strength with other players and awaken your competitive spirit! The popular GameNight with six disciplinnes (Ludo, jump in the bag, egg on a spoon, memory game, Double, and City, Name, Animal, Thing, Plant) will take place on Wednesday, 26 April at 6:00 p.m. on the 6th floor of the main building of the Faculty of Science.

The first three winners can look forward to interesting prizes. Refreshments and raffle provided. All proceeds raised at the event will go to Maendeleo, a non-profit organization that helps small-scale farmers in Tanzania.

Summer suburban camps

The University has a holiday programme for your children. Even though summer may still seem far away, registration for the 'Kids Summer' suburban camps is now open! For children and young people from 3 to 15 years of age, they are organized by the UP Academic Sport Centre. Detailed information and the registration form can be found at letodeti.cz (in Czech).

Roll Up Your Sleeves!

Join the third year of the competition of Palacký University Olomouc faculties in free blood donation, or Roll Up Your Sleeves! You can donate blood or blood plasma in any donation point, throughout the Czech Republic until 21 April 2023 in order to support a good cause and the competitive spirit among UP faculties. The competition will measure the total volume of blood donated by students and employees of each individual faculty, and the percentage of donors among students. Joining the competition couldn’t be easier: just check out the website daruj.upol.cz/en/.

The next faculty Newsletter will be published on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.