Science and Research
ERA4Health will soon announce the IICS4all 2027 call for clinical trials
Fostering a European Research Area for Health (ERA4Health): a partnership that aims to establish flexible and effective coordination among research funding organizations in the European Research Area (ERA) in priority areas addressing European public health needs, will launch a joint transnational call for proposals at the end of October 2026 focused on clinical studies, titled “Multi-national Investigator-Initiated Clinical Studies in Cardiovascular, Autoimmune, Metabolic, and Non-Communicable Respiratory Diseases, including Underrepresented Populations (IICS4all 2027).”
The aim of the call is to support pragmatic, randomized controlled, international Phase III intervention clinical trials initiated by researchers ( Investigator-Initiated Clinical Studies, IICS).
More information about the upcoming research can be found on the website of the Czech Health Research Council (AZV CR).
GA ČR: Call for Proposals for Polish-Czech Projects
The Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), in cooperation with the Polish agency Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN), is announcing a call for project proposals based on the Lead Agency evaluation principle, with an expected start date in 2028. In this call, GA ČR acts as a partner organization – projects are evaluated by NCN, and GA ČR adopts the evaluation results.
The Czech part of the project proposal must be submitted no later than 22 December 2026. Deadlines for submitting project applications to the Faculty of Science are:
11 December 2026 – original “Request for Approval to Submit a Project Proposal” (green request form) + brief project information or project proposal draft – to be delivered via internal mail to the Department of Project Support and Knowledge Transfer November (DPSKT), (Mgr. Korcanová)
18 December 2026 – send the final version of the project proposal in PDF format to the lubica.korcanova@upol.cz
The text of the call for proposals can be found on the GA CR website.
If you have any questions or need assistance with submitting a project proposal for this call, please contact Mgr. Ľubica Korcanová.
GA ČR: Call for Proposals for Israeli-Czech Projects
The Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), in cooperation with the Israeli Science Foundation (ISF), is announcing the first call for project proposals based on the Lead Agency evaluation principle, with an expected start date in 2028. In this call, GA ČR acts as a partner organization – projects are evaluated by ISF, and GA ČR adopts the evaluation results.
The Czech part of the project proposal must be submitted no later than 18 November 2026. Deadlines for submitting project applications to the Faculty of Science are:
9 November 2026 (Monday) – submit the original green request form + brief project information or a project proposal draft to the DPSKT
13 November 2026 (Friday) – submit the final version of the project proposal in PDF format to lubica.korcanova@upol.cz
The full text of the call can be found on the GA CR website: Call for Israeli-Czech Projects.
If you have any questions or need assistance with submitting a project proposal for this call, please contact Mgr. Ľubica Korcanová.
Rector’s Award
Have you successfully defended your bachelor’s or master’s thesis? Have you published a professional article? Have you achieved a significant athletic accomplishment? Or does your thesis focus on sustainability? If any of these apply to you, you are eligible to apply for the Palacký University Rector's Award. Individuals who have made a significant contribution to the popularization of science and communication with the public may also be nominated for the award. Doctoral students may enter the competition with their professional articles.
International and Non-university Affairs
Help shape the international profile of the UP Faculty of Science
How do you perceive internationalization at our faculty? Study and work placements abroad, courses taught in English, collaboration with international partners, or visitors from other countries – all of this affects both students and academic staff, yet not everyone is equally aware of the opportunities, and not everyone shares the same motivation to get involved. That is why we have prepared a questionnaire that explores how familiar internationalization is at the Faculty of Science, what motivates you to take part, and what holds you back.
It takes only a few minutes to complete, and your answers are anonymous. Your input will help us tailor support to the real needs of both students and staff. Among respondents who enter their e-mail address in a separate form at the end, which is not linked to their answers, we will draw 5 winners of a voucher for the university shop UPoint. You can find the questionnaire here and fill it in until the end of October. Thank you for taking part!
Mandatory reporting of mobilities
Every student mobility, regardless of the source of funding and regardless of whether the student will receive credits for it, 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. It the primary source does not cover all the necessary costs, it is possible to apply for additional funding for student mobilities lasting at least one month, or for staff mobilities (except conferences). Outgoing mobilities are primarily reported by students, incoming mobilities by the department. Details can be found on the faculty website.
Mobility scholarship
A student who goes on any mobility abroad for 30 days or more (study stay, research internship, work placement, etc.), can apply for a scholarship of CZK 5,000 for each realized 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 mobilities lasting at least one month, or for staff mobilities (except 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.
If the request is approved, the scholarship will be paid at the soonest possible date after the start of the mobility.
After each co-financed mobility, it is necessary to provide a brief description of its course and 5 photographs.
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.
Fulbright Scholarships for 2027/2028
An overview of all programmes is available on the website. The link to the registration form for autumn webinars can be found here.
Aurora Academic Matchmaking Event
On 3 - 4 November 2026, Palacký University will host the Aurora Academic Matchmaking Event, intended primarily for academics who have not yet participated in the activities of the European university alliance Aurora or who have only limited experience with it. The goal of the event is to promote mutual understanding, the sharing of experiences, and the establishment of new contacts and collaborations. The main part of the program will be devoted to networking through thematic roundtables and an interactive “world café” format.
Student Affairs
The UP Endowment Fund Opens New Opportunities to Support University Projects
The Palacký University Endowment Fund has unvelied its new format, which makes it easy to support talented students, innovative ideas, research projects, and activities that engage the public. The Fund, which has been helping primarily young researchers since 2015, now operates as a crowdfunding platform open to both small and large donors. Contributions can already be made to six pilot projects, including the “Talented Palacký” program, the Mattecoach educational project, and the Academia Film Olomouc festival.
UP Teaching Awards
Students at Palacký University can nominate their teachers until the end of October for the third annual UP Teaching Awards competition, which recognizes high-quality and inspiring teaching. Nominations are submitted through the university’s teaching evaluation system. The competition has two categories – Teaching Junior Award for teachers with up to five years of experience and the Teaching Senior Award for more experienced teachers.
The winners will be selected by the UP Pedagogical Committee, and the awards will be presented in February during UP Academic Week.
Student Affairs Office
The Student Affairs Office is open for students only during the office hours.
| Monday | 9:00 – 11:00 | 13:30 – 14:30 |
| Tuesday | 9:00 – 11:00 | 13:30 – 14:30 |
| Wednesday | CLOSED | 13:30 – 14:30 |
| Thursday | 9:00 – 11:00 | 13:30 – 14:30 |
See the website. Please, do not enter the office outside of office hours.
Online confirmation of study
You can issue the study confirmation yourself at any time through your Portal. Follow the "Confirmation of study" guide at this website https://www.prf.upol.cz/en/students/current-students/#c40359.
PhD students - Individual study plan and thesis registration
Students in the first year of the doctoral study programmes have to submit their individual study plan and register their thesis topic within a month from the beginning of their studies. Follow the guide at this website https://www.prf.upol.cz/en/students/current-students/#c20003 and submit both documents to your Student Affairs Officer.
Language courses
The Department of Foreign Languages of the UP Faculty of Science offers language courses to its employees and students. There are also 2 Czech language courses for international students and employees of the Faculty of Science. Choose your course from the offer at this link.
Hackathon 2026
Are you interested in artificial intelligence, data, programming, maps or finding smart solutions? Sign up for the Hackathon 2026, which will take place on 20–22 November 2026 at the Envelopa Hub in Olomouc.
Over the course of a single weekend, you can work – either on your own or in a team – on real-world challenges in the fields of transport, mobility, sustainability and the environment, and turn your ideas into an app, a map, a visualisation, an analysis or another working prototype.
This year’s event will also place a strong emphasis on the use of artificial intelligence and data from mobile network operators. You don’t need to turn up with a finished project. What matters is a desire to create, try new things and collaborate with others. The hackathon is primarily aimed at secondary school and university students, and registration is open here.
UP Crowd
We are a group of enthusiasts who enjoy popularizing science, communicating it clearly, and making it accessible to the people around us. By joining UP Crowd, you can develop your presentation and public speaking skills, learn to explain complex topics in a simple and engaging way, and gain new experiences and interesting connections.
And you don’t have to be a science major at all. What matters is a desire to get involved, be creative, and try new things. Are you interested in social media management or graphic design? Do you enjoy organizing informal events, communicating with people, or leading a team? Then we’re looking for you.
Organization and Maintenance
Guidelines for business trips
All employees need to comply with the procedures set out in the ’Rules for sending employees on business trips‘ guidelines.
With effect from 1 October 2026, the business trip application (travel orders) has been updated so that the start and end points of a business trip must be entered in a specific and unambiguous manner, ideally by providing the exact address.
At the same time, we would like to emphasize the need to strictly adhere to the requirements set out in the guidelines regarding the details for accommodation invoices. Therefore, before undertaking a business trip, please familiarize yourself with the mandatory information the accommodation document must contain, and verify its accuracy and completeness upon receipt. A properly issued document is essential for the subsequent settlement of the business trip expenses.
Detailed instructions can be found in the guidelines.
Miscellaneous
New University Waste Sorting Policy: Metals and Beverage Cartons Now Go in the Plastic Bins
Palacký University is implementing a change in its waste sorting system. Metals and beverage cartons can now be disposed of together with plastics in the yellow containers and bins. It is therefore no longer necessary to sort them separately. In connection with this change, the labeling of waste bins at individual UP faculties and departments will also be gradually updated.
Škoda Auto Roadshow
You are cordially invited to the Škoda Auto roadshow on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, which will take place in front of the rear entrance to the UP Faculty of Science. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the Škoda Peaq and Škoda Epiq electric models and meet with experts who will present their technologies and answer questions.
The program will also feature a lecture by Ing. Andrea Hlaváček, Ph.D., titled “The Development of the Škoda Motorsport Race Car: New Challenges and Technologies,” which will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Room LP 5.007. The faculty’s collaboration with Škoda Motorsport also includes student internships, which are currently being completed by three doctoral students in the Applied Mathematics programme.
UP Endowment Fund
Support for talented students, innovative ideas, projects with public impact, and exceptional scientific achievements. You can now contribute to all of this through the Palacký University Endowment Fund. University has unveiled its new structure, which will offer a wider range of opportunities for the university community as well as for donors large and small, during a recent Palacký University alumni reunion.
Unique Models of Baroque Grottoes at the Fort Science
If you’re passing by the Fort Science, be sure to stop by and check out something truly exceptional!
The "Into History!" exhibition now features unique 3D models of the Apollo and Mining Grottoes from the Archbishop’s Palace in Kroměříž, created by Jan Brus from the Department of Geoinformatics. These are not merely scaled-down versions of the historical spaces. The models are complemented by lighting and water features as well as real minerals, which help evoke the atmosphere of Baroque grottos from the late 17th century. Kamil Kropáč and Tomáš Lehotský from the Department of Geology also contributed to the selection and preparation of the amethysts, gypsum, and muscovite.
The models will be on display at the Fort Science until 3 January 2027, before moving to the Archbishop’s Castle in Kroměříž.
Next Issue
The next faculty Newsletter will be published on Monday, 26 October 2026.