MEYS – CZ–FR mobilities (8J27FR)

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) has announced a call for applications for the 8J27FR grant to support the implementation of bilateral Czech–French research, development, and innovation projects under the activity “Support for the Mobility of Researchers within the Framework of International Cooperation in R&D&I”. The deadline for submitting the project application to the grant provider is 16 July 2026; the faculty deadline is 18 June 2026 – submission of the green request form (Consent to Project Submission) + brief project information. The project proposal itself must be submitted no later than 15 July 2026, by 12:00 PM (or as agreed). The call for proposals and other supporting documents can be found in the link. For questions and to submit project applications, please contact Ing. Tea Pokorná at tea.pokorna@upol.cz.

MEYS – CZ–DE mobilities (8J27DE)

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) has announced a call for applications for the 8J27DE grant to support the implementation of bilateral Czech–German research, development, and innovation projects under the activity “Support for the Mobility of Researchers within the Framework of International Cooperation in R&D&I”. The deadline for submitting the project application to the grant provider is 30 June 2026; the faculty deadline is 18 June 2026 – submission of the green request form (Consent to Project Submission) + brief project information. The project proposal itself must be submitted no later than 29 June 2026, by 12:00 PM (or as agreed). The call for proposals and other supporting documents can be found in the link. For questions and to submit project applications, please contact Ing. Tea Pokorná at tea.pokorna@upol.cz.

MEYS – Call 8X27: Cooperation in the Danube Region

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) has announced Call 8X27 for grant applications (hereinafter referred to as the “Call”) for the implementation of research, development, and innovation projects under the Program for Financing Multilateral Scientific and Technical Cooperation Projects in the Danube Region (MSTC Danube), with a project duration of 2027–2028.

The support is intended to establish contacts and develop cooperation between institutions active in the field of research, development, and innovation in partner countries, specifically by supporting the mobility of researchers collaborating on international research projects on a multilateral basis (at least 3 participants from 3 different countries involved in the MSTC Danube program).

Projects are scheduled for the period 2027–2028. Along with the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro, France, Croatia, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Serbia are participating in this call. Concurrently with Call 8X27 in the Czech Republic, a similar selection process is being conducted by the relevant funding agencies in all other countries participating in the MSTC Danube program. Foreign partners of Czech applicants participate in the project selection process in their respective countries, in accordance with the rules of the individual funding agencies. Grant applications must be submitted in English (unless otherwise specified).

The deadline for submitting grant applications is 30 June 2026. The faculty deadline is 18 June 2026 (green request form + brief project information). The submission deadline is subject to agreement with Ing. Tea Pokorná (tea.pokorna@upol.cz).

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships

The program will enable postdoctoral researchers with up to eight years of research experience following the completion of their PhD to gain key international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral experience through research stays abroad. These fellowships provide a significant boost to researchers’ careers and open doors to world-class research institutions.

• A budget of nearly 400 million euros will support approximately 1,600 young scientists
• Researchers from around the world are eligible to apply for these fellowships, regardless of nationality or career stage (with a maximum of 8 years of research experience following the award of a PhD).
• There are two types of fellowships: European Postdoctoral Fellowships and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Researchers must prepare the application together with their future supervisor and submit it jointly with their future host organization
• Approximately 40 ERA fellowships will also be awarded to researchers applying for a standard European fellowship at a host organization in a so-called “widening” country - Call details.

The deadline is 9 September 2026 (faculty deadline for green request forms + brief project information: 2 September 2026). For more information, please contact Ing. Tea Pokorná (tea.pokorna@upol.cz).

COST 2026 - Registration for the Pre-Call Webinar

The COST 2026 call will open this summer. This year’s program introduces several new features and changes to the rules, which the research community and potential applicants can learn about at the June webinar.

Registration for the pre-call webinar: 16 June 2026, 10:00–11:50 AM, online (Zoom and YouTube) REGISTRATION.

The information session is intended for all researchers at any stage of their career and from any field, particularly early-career researchers. The webinar will offer an opportunity to learn how to get involved in COST Actions, how to submit a project proposal, the role and impact of the COST program, and the benefits the program offers. For more information, please contact Ing. Tea Pokorná (tea.pokorna@upol.cz).

TA CR SIGMA

The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) has announced the sixteenth public call for proposals under the SIGMA Program for the Support of Applied Research and Innovation – Sub-objective 4, Bilateral Cooperation.

The SIGMA – DC4 Program focuses on supporting international cooperation in the field of applied research through joint projects between Czech entities supported by the TA CR and foreign partners supported by foreign organizations.

The main objective of the public call is to increase the number of outputs and results in areas that hold promise for the future of the participating countries. Another objective of the public call is to support the transfer of international knowledge, the sharing of best practices, and the facilitation of entry into foreign markets.

Foreign partners must be based in one of the following locations:

The competition deadline is 24 June 2026, at 4:29:59 PM. This is the absolute latest time to submit a project proposal. The faculty deadline for submitting green request forms and brief project information is 17 June 2026. For more information, please contact Ing. Tea Pokorná (tea.pokorna@upol.cz).

ERASMUS+ Staff Week

The Research Management Department at the University of Cologne is organizing “Erasmus+ Staff Week” at the University of Cologne from 12 to 16 October 2026. The event is open to anyone interested in discussing and exchanging best practices in the field of research management. The deadline for applications is 27 May. More information here.

ERC WORKSHOP

The upcoming international workshop “Strengthening ERC Participation: From Policy to Practice Through Support Mechanisms” will take place online on 19 June 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

The workshop is focused on supporting applicants’ participation in European Research Council (ERC) calls and is intended primarily for representatives of institutional leadership, national grant agencies, national ERC contact points, and other stakeholders involved in the design and implementation of support mechanisms for the ERC. The event is not intended for ERC grant applicants themselves. Further information, including a link to registration, can be found here.

EU launches center to support science communication

The European Union has launched the European Competence Centre for Science Communication, designed to help researchers and organizations better communicate science. This virtual platform, part of the COALESCE project, will offer resources, tools, training, and opportunities for collaboration, connecting experts across Europe. Interested parties can register for the community of practice, where they can share experiences and network, or participate in training sessions, such as the currently ongoing SciComm Lunchtime Series. The platform will also facilitate the search for partners and project opportunities. Practical tools for day-to-day work in science communication will also be available. The center is expected to be fully operational by March 2027.

GA ČR: First call for proposals with the Israeli ISF to be announced in September

The Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), in cooperation with the Israeli Science Foundation (ISF) and based on a signed memorandum, will announce its first joint call for proposals in September 2026. The evaluation will follow a Lead Agency model — project proposals will be assessed by the ISF, which will then forward the evaluation results to GA ČR. The call will be open to all fields of basic research. Project proposals will count toward the limit on concurrent project proposals for 2028.

Further information and detailed guidelines will be published upon the announcement of the call on the GA ČR and ISF websites.

Falling Walls

The 11th annual Falling Walls Lab Prague, Czech Republic, an international competition aimed at bringing together the next generation of brilliant scientists and innovators, will take place at the National Technical Library. Participants are invited to present a scientific project, a business plan, or a social initiative that breaks down all walls and barriers.

Contestants’ presentations are conducted in English in a “pitch-talk” format, lasting a maximum of three minutes. It doesn’t matter whether the topic is computer science or medicine, economics or mechanical engineering, philosophy, robotics, chemistry, art, or agriculture – the competition is open to anyone who believes in their idea and can convince others of it as well. Students at all levels are welcome, including Ph.D. and postdoc candidates. Register at this link.

The Czech final of the international Falling Walls project will take place on 15 September 2026, at 5:00 PM at the National Technical Library in Prague; the application deadline is 30 June 2026. The winner of the national round will represent the Czech Republic at the global finals in Berlin, which are regularly held on the eve of the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This year, the event will take place from 6 to 9 November 2026.

Mandatory reporting of mobilities

Every mobility, regardless of the source of funding and regardless of whether the student will receive credits for that, must be reported at least one month before its start to Mgr. Marie Raková at marie.rakova@upol.cz from the International section of the Student Affairs Office. Outgoing mobilities are primarily reported by students, incoming mobilities by the department. Details can be found on the faculty website.

Records of foreign guests

It is the responsibility of the department to register foreign guests. If you have international guests visiting your department, enter their information in the Portal as follows:

• click on "All Applications" in your Portal
• click on the "Guest Admission" tile
• press the "+New" button and fill out the newly opened form.

This procedure does not apply to student internships - these are reported as incoming mobility.

Mobility scholarship

A student who goes on any mobility abroad for 30 days or more (study stay, research internship, work placement, summer school, etc.), can apply for a scholarship of CZK 5,000 for each mobility. The request must be submitted before departure. Details here.

Co-financing of trips and internships abroad

If the primary source does not cover all the necessary costs, it is possible to apply for additional funding for student internships abroad (lasting at least one month) or employee trips abroad (not conferences). Send the completed and signed application form (for students, for employees) by internal mail to Waleria Kmentová (Student Affairs Office) or its scan to waleria.kmentova@upol.cz. Czech versions of the forms can be found in the Czech version of the Newsletter.
After each co-financed mobility, it is necessary to provide a brief description of its course and 5 photographs.

Fulbright Scholarship Programs

The prestigious Fulbright scholarship programs, funded by the Czech and U.S. governments, offer Czech citizens the opportunity to study, conduct research, or teach in the United States. They also provide Czech educational and research institutions with the opportunity to host a faculty member or researcher from the United States

Webinars are available for all programs:

• 10 June, 3:00 PM – Fulbright Scholarships: A Comprehensive Overview

You must register for the webinar in advance here. Registered participants will then receive a link to the Zoom meeting.

DAAD Announces the 2026 Fundamental Academic Values Award

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is announcing the 2026 Fundamental Academic Values Award, which recognizes academic contributions to the protection and promotion of fundamental academic values within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

The award, with a total prize fund of 18,000 euros, is intended for three early-career researchers, regardless of academic discipline or nationality. The award highlights the importance of the independence of science and higher education as values that require active support from policymakers, civil society, and the academic community. Applications may be submitted until 22 June 2026. Further information, including the application form, is available on the DAAD website.

Extension of studies

Students of the 3rd year Bachelor studies, 2nd year Master's studies, 4th year of PhD studies (and higher) who will not fulfill all the requirements in this academic year have to submit a request for the extension of studies. Follow the instructions in the FAQ section.

Doctoral student evaluations

Students of doctoral study programmes should submit their evaluation for academic year 2025/2026 by 30 June 2026. The evaluation has to be signed by the student as well as the supervisor and the chairman of the Subject-Area Board of the student’s study programme. It has to include a written assessment of the supervisor as to whether or not he/she recommends the student's advancement to the next year. Even after submitting the evaluation, the student can complete the courses he/she has enrolled at in STAG until 4 September 2026. Students of 4th and higher years have to submit the request for extension of studies together with the evaluation. The request must include a statement and signature of the supervisor.

Student evaluations

Evaluate the summer semester anonymously by 30 June 2026, via eval.upol.cz or in the app UPlikace.

The aim of evaluations is to obtain information from as many students as possible about the quality of teaching, the consistency of its specific content with the content announced in the course annotation, the methods used in teaching and the approach of the teachers. All this information is crucial in order to continuously improve the quality of teaching in all these areas. Evaluation applies to all subjects taught.

Graduation ceremony - Petroleum Engineering

The graduation ceremony of the Bachelor study programme Petroleum Engineering will most likely take place on 2 July 2026. After successfully passing the final exams, students may register for the graduation ceremony with their student affairs officer (waleria.kmentova@upol.cz).

Graduates who will not be attending the ceremony may pick up their diplomas with their Student's Affairs Officer, upon previously agreed appointment.

Completion of the Academic Year Before State Exams

Students in their second year of a Master’s program and third year of a Bachelor’s program must have their academic year officially closed at the Student Affairs Office after fulfilling all academic requirements, prior to their final exams or thesis defense.

Final state examination registration

Students of Bachelor and Master study programmes who wish to take their final exams or defend their theses during the summer semester of this academic year and have not registered for the final exam courses in STAG should contact their student affairs officer immediately. If they do not have the final exam courses registered in STAG, they will not be offered exam dates.

Seeds for the Future

Do you aspire to work on real-world technological solutions and want to see how the global ICT business operates from the inside? The Huawei Seeds for the Future 2026 program is now open for applications from Czech and Slovak students who are eager to gain knowledge directly from global industry experts and kick-start their careers.

Members of the winning team will receive the grand prize – a fully funded trip to China, including a visit to Huawei’s headquarters, offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s leading technology companies. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience cutting-edge laboratories firsthand and learn how world-class solutions are developed.

When and where?
● Date: June 23 – June 25, 2026
● Location: Bratislava
● Application deadline: May 20, 2026

Don’t miss this opportunity – apply for Seeds for the Future 2026 and unlock your potential!

Electronic issuance of decisions

Decisions issued by the Student Affairs Office are now distributed electronically only (including scholarships, etc.). You can find them in your Portal, in the 'Viewing files' section. You can also set up notifications alerting you to new documents.

Extension of Study Programmes

As part of the process for extending study programmes, we recommend that all academic staff complete their universal C-I form in the AKRUP system, from which data can then be automatically imported into each subsequent C-list. We recommend entering as much information as possible into the universal form. If necessary, you can then simply delete data based on its relevance to the specific study programme.

How to use the universal form? After receiving the email “Accreditation – Request to Fill Out the Form” (in Czech „Akreditace - žádost o vyplnění formuláře“), click on the link in the email, which will open the form to be filled out. In the top right corner, select “Load from another C-I sheet” („Načíst z jiného C-I listu“) then “Load from the universal form” („Načíst z univerzálního formuláře“). Make any necessary adjustments, then click “Save and mark as complete” („Uložit a označit jako kompletní“). You can view an overview of all requests sent to you in the section below the universal C-I form; for requests to fill out course-specific forms, see here.

Parking on the Envelopa premises:

• We remind employees of the need to follow traffic signs on the Envelopa premises. It is mandatory to display your UP parking card (permit) visibly behind the windshield; the Olomouc Municipal Police regularly check for valid parking permits.
• At the same time, please be considerate when parking (do not encroach on neighboring parking spaces, do not park in spaces designated for people with disabilities, do not park in spaces designated for electric vehicles at charging stations, etc.).
• From June to August, the registry will be updated, followed by the replacement of all issued UP Faculty of Science parking cards. The new cards will be equipped with security features (replacement and distribution will be handled through the department secretariats).

Parking System for the Building at 17. listopadu 12 - Envelopa

• We ask all employees with access to the underground garage to provide the license plate numbers of all vehicles they use for parking when requesting entry. If an employee uses an access card and their license plate number is not registered in our parking system, the timer on the exit display will not function.
• When entering or exiting, you must approach the gate slowly (ideally 10 km/h) and drive straight through the center.
• The underground garage is not intended for long-term parking.
• You must comply with the Operating Rules for the Underground Garage of the UP Faculty of Science PřF-B-18/10.

Bicycle Parking in the Garages of the 17. listopadu 12 Building - Envelopa

• The bicycle storage area in the garages is not intended for long-term bicycle storage.
• All bicycles must be equipped with a registration tag affixed to the underside of the bicycle frame (a new application for bicycle parking permission will be added to the forms on the website) – please contact Mr. Jaromír Keprt at jaromir.keprt@upol.cz, to process your request.
• It is necessary to comply with the Operating Rules for the Underground Garages of the UP Faculty of Science PřF-B-18/10.

Parking area near the Public Prosecutor’s Office

• Use your employee card to enter or exit.
• Access is restricted to employees of the SLO, VLD, and main building (i.e., employees with access to the underground garages).

Setting Access Rights for Employee Cards

• At the UP Faculty of Science it is now possible to set access rights for individual profiles (card readers). Requests to set access rights for a specific department must always be submitted by an authorized person — the head of the department or the department secretary.
• For the buildings at 17. listopadu 12 – Envelopa, 17. listopadu 50A – SLO, and 17. listopadu 50 – VLD, please contact Jaromír Keprt at jaromir.keprt@upol.cz.
• For the Holice campus, please contact Bc. Milan Labounek at milan.labounek@upol.cz.

Student Lockers at 17. listopadu 12 - Envelopa

• All keys are loaned out until 12 June 2026, at the latest, when they must be returned. After this date, the lockers will be officially opened and cleared out.
• Due to construction work in the central part of the building during the summer months and subsequent regular maintenance and sanitation, keys will not be available for loan for the next period until 1 September 2026.
• Lockers users are required to comply with the Student Locker Operating Rules.

Guidelines for Preventing Inappropriate Behavior at the UP Faculty of Science

A new page on the faculty website has been published regarding the guidelines for preventing inappropriate behavior at the Faculty of Science, Palacký University. It clearly summarizes what behavior is considered unacceptable, how to file a report, how the faculty handles such cases, and who to contact (including the option to submit an anonymous report). The faculty creates a safe, fair, and respectful environment, fosters a healthy work and study atmosphere, and promotes professional communication. In doing so, it communicates to its students, staff, and the public its stance and zero tolerance for socially inappropriate behavior in our academic environment.

Hedepy

Starting in May, UP employees who need psychotherapy can use the Hedepy online platform. It helps people quickly and easily find a certified mental health professional without having to go anywhere. Hedepy brings together hundreds of therapists, and consultations in English are also available. The service is fee-based, and Palacký University has purchased a subscription for its employees. If you are interested in using the service, simply enter your @upol.cz email address, and the payment will be charged to a university credit.

Science Fair

This year, we are once again hosting the Science Fair, one of the largest outreach events at our faculty for schools and the general public – on Friday, 19 June 2026, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the main building of the Faculty of Science.

This year's theme is “Science with All Your Senses… Touch the Knowledge.”

We would appreciate it if you could share information about the Science Fair with your children’s teachers or other educators who might find the event interesting.

The Confidential Box at UP

Convenient, discreet, and anonymous if needed. If students or staff at UP are troubled by something or encounter inappropriate or problematic behavior, they now have access to the FaceUp electronic confidential reporting system. Its introduction is part of the university’s effort to create a safe, open, and fair environment.

The FaceUp Confidential Box allows you to submit reports anonymously or under your own name and is available on the university website; it also has its own tile on the UP Portal, and you can install it as an app on your phone.

The next faculty Newsletter (the last before the summer holidays) will be published on Monday, 15 June 2026.