UP Young Researcher Grant Competition

The Rector of Palacký University Olomouc announces the 4th UP Young Researcher Grant Competition.

The Young Researcher Grant Competition aims to support excellent research by young researchers and members of academic staff below the age of 37 when establishing new research teams and laboratories, as well as developing their independent research programme to support the preparation of a high-quality international project (e.g. within HORIZON EUROPE). Proposals must be submitted by 20 June 2023 till 12:00 a.m. Details can be found at this link.

MEYS – Joint Programming Initiative “Cultural Heritage and Global Change” (JPI CH) – Call 2023 – “Climate & Cultural Heritage (CCH) 2023 Collaborative Research Action (CRA)”

The aim of this call is to promote transdisciplinary and convergent approaches to research on cultural heritage and climate change, to foster collaboration between the research community in several regions, and to contribute to knowledge development and policy change at the global level. Applicants are invited to submit research proposals that address at least one of the three themes of the call:

• The impact of climate change on cultural heritage;
• Cultural heritage as a resource for climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Sustainable solutions for cultural heritage.

The full text of this call, including the list of participating countries, funding organisations, timeline, definition of key objectives, supported areas and expected impacts can be found here. Faculty deadline: 4 September 2023. More information can be found on the DPS website.

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 – 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).

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.

Preparation and reporting of mobilities

All students going on study stays and internships abroad must inform the international section of the Student Affairs Office of the Faculty of Science UP about their intention to go and the beginning and end of their trip. We also ask all lecturers, who intend to go abroad within the Erasmus+ programme, to contact the international section of the Student Affairs Office of the Faculty of Science first

Information about foreign students who will come for an internship and about foreign experts who will come as part of Erasmus+ must be sent to the international office in advance by the department to which they are to come.

Contact: Dana Gronychová (dana.gronychova@upol.cz).

Academic Senate of the Faculty of Science

Academic staff and students of the Faculty of Science elected members of the faculty Academic Senate for the next three-year term. Two thirds of the academics cast their vote for one of the candidates. About nine percent of students also took the opportunity to elect their representatives to the senate. There will be 14 elected academics and 7 students on the faculty's self-governing representative body for the period from this year's 16 September to 16 September 2026.

Academic staff elected by the field:

Mathematics and Computer Science
doc. Mgr. Michal Botur, Ph.D.
RNDr. Tomáš Fürst, Ph.D.

Physics
prof. RNDr. Tomáš Opatrný, Dr.
doc. Mgr. Karel Lemr, Ph.D.

Chemistry
doc. RNDr. Petr Bednář, Ph.D.
RNDr. Lucie Brulíková, Ph.D.

Biology and Ecology
doc. RNDr. Robin Kundrata, Ph.D., MBA
doc. Mgr. Petr Dvořák, Ph.D.

Earth Sciences
doc. RNDr. Irena Smolová, Ph.D.
RNDr. Miloš Fňukal, Ph.D.

Elected by the number of votes
Mgr. Lukáš Richterek, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Marek Jukl, Ph.D.
RNDr. Rostislav Vodák, Ph.D.
RNDr. Jan Brus, Ph.D.

Students elected by the field:

Mathematics and Computer Science
Bc. Daniel Čampiš

Physics
Bc. Alžběta Andrýsková

Chemistry
Bc. Jan Stehlík

Biology and Ecology
Mgr. Ludmila Včelařová

Earth Sciences
Mgr. René Jirmus

Elected by the number of votes
Bc. Daniel Staník
Bc. Gabriela Pačková

Elections to the UP Academic Senate

Elections to the Academic Senate of the Palacký University are also important. 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 elections will take place from 3 to 11 May online. More information can be found at upol.cz/elections.

Meeting of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Science

The regular meeting of the Academic Senate FS UP will take place on 17 May 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).

Student Scientific Competition – Dean's Award

Over ninety contestants have entered the ‘Student Scientific Competition – Dean's Award’, which will take place on Thursday, 4 May 2023. Students will present theis research results in the sections Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Ecology and Environment, and Earth Sciences. The poster section is also open. See the website for detailed information.

There will be awards for 1st - 3rd place in each category of each section, as well as a section winner. In addition, the overall winner of the competition will be announced, who will receive an extraordiary scholarship of 15,000 CZK.

Closure of the Student Affairs Office

On 10 May and 18 May the Student Affairs Office will be closed.

Student associations

Student associations are looking for new members and friends! Do you know how they work? What can they offer? Find out the answers to these and other questions during their activities presentations. You can look forward to the following student clubs: Sustainable Palacký, UP Crowd, Board Games Club, Chemistry Club, Physics Club, AIESEC, EGEA and Astro Club. When? Tuesday, 9 May, 3:30 – 5 p.m. in the auditorium of the Faculty of Science.

Foreign prospective students

The first round of admissions for English study programmes has ended on 30 April. Currently, the only open application is for the Bachelor study programme Petroleum Engineering, which ends at the end of June. In the second round of admissions, which will be from 1 June to 15 August, only the Doctoral study programmes will be available.

The general information can be found at this website. At the beginning of June, a detailed application guide will be available on this website.

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.

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.

Price reduction in UP canteens

The prices of hot meals in the Palacký University canteens will be reduced by approximately 16 CZK from May. The discount for students, employees and external diners will reduce operating costs, which will be subsidized by the UP Accommodation and Dining (SKM). One significantly cheaper student meal per day will also remain on the menu.

Run for Memory of Nations

Palacký University will participate in the 8th annual Run for Memory of Nations again this year, not only in the organization itself, but will also offer a relaxation zone, university merchandise, a sports program and a competition stand with basic first aid for the public. Come to Smetanovy Sady on Saturday, 20 May, from 8:30 a.m. to watch or run.

Material collection for Ukraine

The Faculty of Law in cooperation with its student Vasyl Kapustej announced a material collection of humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Donors can bring items until 12 May on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the reception desk of Building A of the Faculty of Law (17 listopadu 6). This time, the month-long material collection will be complemented by an online auction of interesting items with a connection to Ukraine. Details and a list of items you can donate can be found in this article.

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).

The next faculty Newsletter will be published on Monday, 15 May 2023.