Traditionally, it was also attended by representatives of Czech politics, including the Minister of Science, Research and Innovation Helena Langsadlova. Eva Zazimalova, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, underlined the importance of the forthcoming law on research, development, innovation and knowledge transfer. Its main objectives are the creation of a legislative framework for knowledge and technology transfer or the preparation of new National Priorities for Oriented Research.

Transfer as a priority

The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic has long emphasised the transfer and translation of scientific knowledge into practice. The approach to transfer here has recently gained a new, stronger dynamic. “Our vision is to create systemic conditions so that important discoveries made by scientists in the Czech Republic and financed by our taxpayers can also be implemented in the Czech Republic,” said Eva Zazimalova: “I have no doubt that the creation of appropriate legislative conditions for the support of transfer activities will enable the further development of the potential of the Academy of Sciences and other research organisations, which will certainly contribute to greater prosperity of our economy.”

The importance of the transfer was also stressed by the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Helena Langsadlova. “The evaluation of scientific results is one of the main topics in other countries as well. We have great potential to use the knowledge of scientists from the Academy of Sciences for policy-making and commercial transfer.” Transfer, she said, is one of the three current priorities in science, which include promoting excellence and human resources.

As an example of the successful transfer and high application potential of results in the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, the Chairwoman mentioned the recent cooperation of scientists from Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the CAS and Institute of Astronomy of the CAS on the JUICE spacecraft project, which started its space journey last week, or the deciphering of the DNA of a recently discovered parasite, by researchers from the Biological Centre and the Institute of Microbiology of the CAS. Another instrument of transfer and an example of interdisciplinary cooperation is the AV21 Strategy, whose programmes focus on current societal challenges. The programmes of the AV21 Strategy have long been appreciated by Helena Langsadlova.

Science funding is an effective investment

For the last two years, the issue of science funding has been resonating strongly. The high inflation rate and the increase in energy prices have significantly affected the institution’s performance. Key expenditure to promote excellence, purchase equipment or make building investments cannot be cut. “If we put the brakes on investment and spending on research, it will come back to us negatively within a few years,” emphasised Karel Havlíček, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic. He supported the words of Jiri Drahos, First Vice-Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and former President of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, who said that support for science, research and education is an effective investment that strengthens the social and economic potential of the country.

For the period 2024-2026, the Council for Research, Development and Innovation approved a proposal for an increase in the state budget for science and research. For the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, this would mean an increase in funding by approximately CZK 1 billion compared to this year. It could thus receive CZK 8.16 billion from the state budget. According to Josef Stredula, chair of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, even the planned increase is not sufficient and will not cover the costs caused by high inflation.

Accomplishments of the Academy of Sciences

Grant applications are an important part of a researcher’s life, as they represent an essential way of funding his scientific projects. However, the application for targeted support is currently burdened by excessive administration. It should therefore decrease in the future. The planned allocation of funding for ERC grant submissions, which represent the highest quality of dedicated support in Europe, could also help.

Last year, Czech scientists submitted 29 applications for ERC grants. According to Radka Wildova, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, the increase in their number also shows the growth in the quality of Czech science. In the context of ERC grants, Eva Zazimalová highlighted the recent success of scientists from the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, when the Jungwirth brothers received ERC Advanced grants.

The Institute of Biotechnology of the CAS, which is at the core of the BIOCEV centre, currently has two ERC grant investigators. The results of the institute were presented by its director Bohdan Schneider. The Academic Assembly also approved the transfer of the Institute of Hydrodynamics of the CAS, which celebrated its seventieth anniversary this year, from the Section of Applied Physics to the Section of Earth Sciences. This step is related to the shift of the scientific focus of the department towards environmental issues.

Cooperation with the government

The scientific community is aware of the need to continuously improve the evaluation system in science. Last year, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic joined a European initiative that promotes responsible research evaluation. In an effort to improve the national evaluation system, it developed recommendations for the 2017+ Methodology. “I believe they will become an inspiration for adjustments to the national evaluation system and thus contribute to further improving its quality,” said Eva Zazimalova.

Departments of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic prepare AVex expert opinions for Czech politicians. There are currently four new issues in the pipeline – Archaeological Heritage and its Protection, Forest Fires, their Dynamics and Ecosystem Regeneration in the Context of Climate Change, Fireworks and their Impact on the Environment and AVex on the Energy Use of Nuclear Fusion. Avex Artificial Intelligence will be published shortly.

The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic will also cooperate in the preparation of the planned National Priorities of Oriented Research, Experimental Development and Innovation and the new law on universities.

Adapted from avcr.cz
Text: Zuzana Dupalova, External Relations Division of the CAS
Photo: Jan Maly, for the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic