The Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) has announced the launch of the ČVUT Starting Grant 2026 (StG) – a new competitive funding scheme designed to support outstanding early-career researchers in establishing independent research groups at CTU.
The inaugural call aims to fund up to ten new research groups across all disciplines represented at CTU. The program is open both to current CTU researchers and to applicants from other institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad who bring substantial international experience.
Strong Support for Research Independence
The ČVUT Starting Grant provides funding of up to CZK 4,000,000 per year (approx. EUR 160,000) for a period of up to three years, with the possibility of a one-year exceptional extension. A one-time relocation package of up to CZK 250,000 is available to support mobility and start-up needs.
The scheme is built around a co-funding model between CTU’s central resources and host units, ensuring institutional commitment while minimizing administrative burden for applicants at the submission stage. Selected projects will enter a structured post-selection negotiation phase to finalize implementation conditions, including employment and career-path arrangements.
The program is explicitly designed as a springboard toward major international funding, such as the ERC Starting or Consolidator Grants (or equivalent schemes). Funded principal investigators are expected to prepare a major international grant proposal within one year after completing the CTU StG project.
Career- and Family-Friendly Design
The 2026 call incorporates several measures to support diverse career paths. These include eligibility window extensions for parental leave and other documented career breaks, flexible project start dates, reduced FTE options in justified cases, and dedicated funding for child or dependent care. Evaluation will take effective research time and career interruptions into account.
Key Dates for the 2026 Call
- Call opens: 2 February 2026
- Submission deadline: 30 March 2026
