As a part of the HR Award initiative, Charles University is actively involved in promoting research and academic development through international partnerships. These activities encourage collaboration in research projects, the mobility of academics, and support for postdocs, which contributes to the development of research and education at CU. 

Promoting research through the 4EU+ Alliance 

The 4EU+ Alliance is an important partnership of eight leading European universities, including Heidelberg, the Sorbonne, and Charles University. The aim of the Alliance is to achieve excellence in research, teaching, and education and to create a platform for the free movement of students, academics, and ideas. 

Support for academics and research projects 

The 4EU+ Alliance opens the door for academics to collaborate internationally on cutting-edge projects. Academics have access to a wide range of courses and opportunities that will enrich their professional development. For example, Charles University provides support in applying for and identifying suitable projects. 

Opportunities for research and teaching abroad and joint projects 

Academics can spend time doing research and teaching at partner universities, which improves international collaboration and promotes knowledge. An important part of the Alliance is the bottom-up approach that supports projects organically developing at all levels of the university. This is a key aspect for the dynamic growth of the Alliance. 

Flagships and multidisciplinary collaboration 

The 4EU+ Alliance focuses on four key areas: urban health and demographic change, Europeanism, digitalization, and environmental transition. These areas serve as a framework for networking and collaboration among academics. 

Support for research projects and mini-grants 

Charles University supports research projects through mini-grants and the SEED4EU+ scheme, which funds exceptional initiatives and broadens horizons. Educational activities within the project European Universities focusing on innovative education were also supported. 

Grant Support Service andcoordination 

The 4EU+ Alliance offers a Grant Support Service (GSS) to help teams secure funding for their activities. Each university has a 4EU+ local office that coordinates the collaboration and is the point of contact for academics. At Charles University, the 4EU+ local office falls under the European Centre of the Research Support Office at the Rectorate. 

4EU+ Visiting Professorships 

The 4EU+ Alliance launched the second round of the 4EU+ Visiting Professorships initiative to enhance the knowledge and skills of academics, to strengthen collaboration, and to promote the creation of sustainable and long-lasting expertise within the Alliance. The programme focuses on expanding the community of researchers. In 2023, nine candidates were selected for stays abroad, and in 2024, Charles University experienced a record level of interest with nine candidates out of a total of 35 applications. 

Project support and the ERC  

Charles University strives to maintain and strengthen its position as an outstanding research university. It supports projects focusing on education, research, and structural development. Under Horizon Europe, the number of applications and success rate in grant schemes has increased, with an emphasis on ERC and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships. CU has been awarded 10 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and the MSCA COFUND Charleston project, which will bring 20 postdocs to the university. Each year, CU organizes several workshops for ERC grant applicants and provides a wide range of consultation services. Thanks to the work of the ERC Expert Group, which CU leads, the number of high-quality applications and the overall success rate has increased. Between 2021 and 2024, CU was awarded 9 ERC grants, and 17 applications were supported in the national ERC CZ programme.  

Support for postdocs  

Postdoctoral fellows are a key part of the university’s academic community. Thus, CU has expanded the education it offers according to the European ResearchComp framework and has introduced a mentoring system. It also strives to make postdocs more visible through podcasts and a shared space at Campus Hybernská. In collaboration with Czexpats, CU opens the Young PI Forum twice a semester to facilitate dialogue among researchers, which helps strengthen its academic community and promotes the sharing of knowledge.