GRANTNEWS

NPO Exceles

Continuation of the NPO EXCELES Programme

The Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic has announced a new funding call to support research activities for the period 2026–2030 under Subprogramme 4 – Support for National Authorities in Priority Areas of Health Research (AZV Subprogramme 4).

This scheme builds directly on the previous NPO EXCELES initiative, aiming to further strengthen and develop institutes that have already benefited from this programme.

Please note that eligibility for this call is limited to applicants who received support under the earlier EXCELES programme.

Further details are currently being finalised in coordination with programme coordinators. Once additional information becomes available, we will promptly inform relevant departments and research groups about the next steps.

Grant Office

GA CR, AZV and Horizon Europe Twinning All at Once: The Faculty Excels in a Demanding Grant Season

The Faculty of Medicine has successfully navigated an exceptionally intensive grant period. Over recent months, academic staff have prepared a substantial number of both national and international project proposals:

• AZV: a total of 82 proposals were submitted (including 54 standard projects, 24 junior projects, and 4 international partnerships), out of 126 submissions across Masaryk University.
• GA CR: the Faculty submitted 42 proposals (including 30 standard projects and 5 EXPRO projects), contributing to a total of 418 proposals submitted by Masaryk University.
• Within the prestigious Horizon Europe Twinning call, the Faculty participated in 3 proposals as coordinator and in 1 as a partner, in collaboration with FNUSA-ICRC.

All that remains now is to await the results — expected at the end of July for Twinning, and in November 2026 for both GA CR and AZV.

We wish all applicants every success!

Aqualife

Up to CZK 250,000 Available for Research on Hydration and Health

The Aqualife Institute has announced its 2026 grant call, supporting research and educational initiatives focused on hydration, drinking habits, dehydration, obesity, and alcohol consumption. 

• Funding: up to CZK 250,000 per project (for a duration of 1 year)
• Deadline: 15 June 2026

For further information, please contact: projekty@med.muni.cz.

TA CR

Bilateral Cooperation with Korea, Taiwan and Germany

LA Grants

GA CR: Lead Agency Grants with Austria, Germany and Switzerland

The submission of LA grant proposals is currently open, with the Czech Science Foundation (GA CR) acting as a partner organisation for projects commencing in 2027. Opportunities are available in collaboration with:

• Austria and Germany (continuous calls), and
• Switzerland (deadline: 8 October 2026).

If you are considering applying, please do not hesitate to contact us at: projekty@med.muni.cz.

JIC

Recent Graduate? Launch Your Own Start-up with a CZK 25,000 Monthly Stipend

The Founder Stipendium programme supports recent graduates (within two years of completing their studies) in developing their own start-up ventures.

• Support: CZK 25,000 per month, plus mentoring
• Who can apply: graduates with an early-stage idea or strong technological expertise
• Aim: to bridge the gap between an initial concept and a viable business
• Deadline: 16 August 2026

Further information and the programme timeline are available here.

Neoli Research

Neoli Research Grant Call – Supporting Research in Premature Birth

• Supports high-quality research projects focused on preterm birth, perinatology, and neonatology. 
• Funding: up to CZK 500,000 per project
• Submission deadline: 29 May 2026
• Further information is available here.