The ČVUT Interdisciplinary Near Future Challenge (ČVUT INFC) supports ambitious interdisciplinary collaboration among early-career researchers across CTU units to tackle complex mid-term (Near Future) challenges. To foster genuine cross-disciplinary teamwork, the program uses an equal two‑PI partnership model, with the PIs based at different CTU faculties or institutes. Fully funded by external donors and strategic partners, ČVUT INFC enables teams to move beyond conventional, discipline-specific funding pathways and seed new interdisciplinary academic hubs and industrial spinoffs with a credible plan for sustainability beyond the grant.
OVERVIEW
What INFC funds
- Interdisciplinary, two-PI projects: every proposal is submitted jointly by exactly two Principal Investigators (PIs) from different CTU faculties or institutes, who contribute as equal partners.
- Bottom-up topics: CTU does not prescribe thematic priorities. Proposals may address any interdisciplinary Near Future challenge that aligns with CTU’s scientific scope.
- Step-out research: preference is given to projects that explore novel combinations of disciplines and are unlikely to be funded through standard, discipline-focused schemes.
How selection works
- Scientific evaluation and ranking by an expert panel (panel-only model; no systematic external peer review).
- Post-selection negotiations (grant agreement, implementation conditions, and, where relevant, association with strategic partners). Funding is conditional on the successful conclusion of these negotiations.
APPLY
Applications are submitted electronically via the designated CTU submission portal (see Submission below). The submission system opens 1 July 2026.
KEY DATES (2026 CALL)
- Call (information) published: 1 June 2026
- Submission portal opens: 1 July 2026
- Submission deadline: 31 July 2026 (23:59 CEST)
- Stage 0 admissibility and desk-rejection screening: 3–7 August 2026
- Panel reading window (Stage 1): 10–28 August 2026
- Shortlist decision: 1–3 September 2026
- Panel interviews: 22–26 September 2026
- Results announced by: 30 September 2026
- Post-selection negotiations concluded by: 31 October 2026
- Project start window: up to 6 months after the grant-agreement signature
FUNDING
Budget and duration
- Project duration: up to 24 months
- Annual cap: up to 3,000,000 CZK per project per year (total eligible costs)
- Maximum project budget (24 months): up to 6,000,000 CZK
- Overheads: up to 20% of eligible direct costs (base excludes investments)
- Child/dependent-care costs: eligible, up to 150,000 CZK per project per year (project total, per year)
Eligible cost categories
- Personnel (including PI time, postdocs, PhD support, student work agreements, and technical or specialist staff)
- Operational costs, travel, and services
- Investments (capital expenditure)
- Overheads (≤ 20% of eligible direct costs; base excludes investments)
Funding source
INFC projects are fully funded by external strategic partners and investor contributions. No host-unit financial co-funding is required.
The 2026 Call is launched with an indicative aggregate funding envelope for up to 10 projects.
ELIGIBILITY
You are welcome to apply if both PIs meet all eligibility requirements by the submission deadline, including:
Two-PI requirement
- Exactly two PIs, from different CTU faculties or institutes (independent organizational units).
- The two PIs must contribute as equal partners (service/junior-partner configurations are not eligible).
Early-career window
- Each PI must have received their first PhD within the last 8 years before the project starts (career breaks are excluded/extended as specified below).
Employment and time commitment
- Each PI must be employed by CTU at an FTE that enables effective implementation (normally 1.0 FTE; justified reductions may be agreed in the grant agreement, with a corresponding timeline adjustment).
- Each PI must commit at least 30% of their full-time equivalent to the INFC project for the duration (documented in the grant agreement).
Once-only rule
- A PI may receive INFC support only once (as PI).
Career-break extensions (2026 call)
- Maternity leave: automatically +18 months per child (or the documented longer total leave, whichever is longer)
- Parental leave (other than maternity): extension by the documented duration
- Other documented circumstances (e.g., long-term illness/injury, compulsory military service): extension by the documented duration
SUBMISSION
Language: English.
Two-form submission structure
- Form I (Application data): metadata, identification of both PIs, designation of the administrative-contact PI, and identification of the four referees.
- Form II (Proposal package): upload all required documents.
Mandatory proposal components
- Joint Proposal Document (incl. a 1-page Synergy Statement, center plan, intended host environment, and AI-tool disclosure)
- PI Dossiers (two documents; one per PI)
- Dean’s Pre-Approvals (two documents; one per PI)
- Budget Spreadsheet (submit both .xlsx and PDF export, incl. per-PI breakdown and a short narrative sheet)
- Recommendation letters: four letters total (two per PI)
EVALUATION
Evaluation is comparative and evidence-based, with scientific excellence and synergy at its core. Proposals are assessed against four criteria (indicative weights):
- A (35%) Scientific quality, synergy, and originality of the joint project: Novelty and ambition, credible interdisciplinarity, integration points, risks and mitigation, and clear deliverables.
- B (30%) Excellence, independence, and leadership potential of the two PIs: Assessed relative to effective research time, career breaks, and disciplinary norms.
- C (20%) Feasibility and sustainability beyond the grant: A realistic 24‑month plan and a credible pathway to major follow-up funding and/or spin-off creation.
- D (15%) Institutional fit and plan for a new interdisciplinary hub or spinoff at CTU: A credible center plan bridging two units, a recruitment and team plan, and an integration and support environment.
Interviews
Shortlisted teams are invited to an online interview in English. Both PIs must participate.
RESULTS, NEGOTIATIONS, AND PROJECT START
The panel adopts a final ranking and funding recommendation. Funding is confirmed only after:
- verification of eligibility and conflicts of interest; and
- successful post-selection negotiations resulting in a grant agreement between CTU, both host units, and both PIs.
Projects start on the date agreed in the grant agreement, within the published start window.
DOWNLOADS
- 2026 call text
- Principles of the ČVUT INFC Program
- Evaluation Procedure Guidelines
- Annex A: Budget information package + budget spreadsheet
- Annex B: Recommendation letter guidelines + template
- Annex C: Instructions for applicants
- Annex D: Dean’s pre-approval template
- Proposal templates: Joint proposal document + PI dossier
CONTACT
Administration (CTU Rectorate / Department of Science and Research):
- Email: infc-grant@cvut.cz
- Address: Husova 240/5, 110 00 Prague 1 – Old Town, Czech Republic
FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) are available on an external GitLab page.