No, applicants can submit only one proposal. In case of multiple submissions, only the most recent proposal will be considered for evaluation, and the others will be disregarded.

Yes, you will receive an email confirmation that your application has been received.

No, submitted proposals cannot be updated before the deadline. If you wish to make changes, submit a new proposal. The most recent application will be evaluated.

No, it is not possible to update your application or submit additional material/information after the call deadline. All submissions are considered final once the deadline has passed to ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process for all applicants.

Yes, applicants should contact the secondment institution before submitting the project proposal.

Applicants can select from a list of associated partners to plan their non-academic secondment period. If none of the current partners is relevant to their research topic, researchers may propose another non-academic institution.

Yes, if your secondment is outside Prague (Plzeň, Hradec Králové), the Charleston programme will reimburse any travel expenses. The calculation of travel expenses must be included in the project proposal.

Your secondment can last between three and six months and must take place at a single non-academic host institution. It may be split into two parts and can take place at any point during the fellowship; however, it cannot begin within the first 60 days of the project’s implementation. No gaps are allowed between the academic and non-academic phases of the fellowship.

Yes, you will continue to receive a salary from the Charleston programme for the entire duration of your non-academic secondment period. You will remain an employee of Charles University throughout this period.

For details about the funding coverage, please refer to the Employment conditions section.

The relevance of your project to the UN SDGs will be evaluated as part of the selection process, as the SDGs are one of the key elements of our programme. Applicants should align their project with the SDGs and demonstrate how their proposed research contributes to them.

You can find the full list of SGDs on this website. Refer to the University of Auckland SDG Keyword mapping for a list of keywords that can serve as a guidance. This list is intended to inspire applicants and help them better align their proposed research with the SDGs. 

Projects are expected to start by February 2026. A later start date may be possible with prior approval and a well-justified request.

The full-time equivalent (FTE) commitment must be 1.0 throughout the duration of the project and cannot be reduced, except in exceptional cases, such as for family reasons (e.g., childcare).

1. Choose a Relevant Faculty or Unit

See the list of faculties and university units and select the one that best aligns with your research topic.

Faculties:

University Institutes:

• Institute of the History of Charles University and Archive of Charles University

• Center for Theoretical Study

• Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education

• Environment Centre

2. Identify a Suitable Supervisor

Visit the website of your chosen faculty/unit and find a potential supervisor whose expertise matches your research area.

The supervisor must have at least eight years of research experience after completing their Ph.D. The decisive date for calculating this experience is the call deadline (May 31, 2025). No specific academic title (e.g., professor) is required – the key condition is the research experience.

3. Contact Your Potential Supervisor

Send an email with your CV, introducing yourself and your proposed research project. Express your interest in working under their supervision and inquire about their availability and willingness to take on this role.

4. Confirm and Add the Supervisor in IS Věda Portal

If the supervisor agrees, you can list them as your supervisor in the IS Věda portal as part of your project proposal. They will receive a notification requesting their approval. (See User Manual for Submitting Online Application Form for more details).

Applicants can choose from 13 pre-arranged partner institutions for their secondment. A list of these institutions, along with contact details for identifying an external supervisor and arranging the secondment, can be found in the Partners section on our website.

If a suitable host institution is not found within the existing network, the postdoc can propose an alternative non-academic institution.

There are no specific experience requirements for the external supervisor at the non-academic institution, other than that they must be an employee at the institution where the fellow will carry out their secondment. Please note that without prior contact with the external supervisor at the chosen non-academic institution and a signed Letter of Commitment, it will not be possible to submit your project proposal.

In the event that a selected candidate is unable to accept the fellowship, the offer will be extended to the next eligible applicant on the reserve list.

The project proposal allows a maximum page limit of 15 pages. The bibliography is included in the 15-page limit.

Yes, you can apply as long as you meet the mobility requirement and all other eligibility criteria. Please refer to the Guide for Applicants for the full list of eligibility conditions.

No, prior research experience is not a requirement. The applicant is eligible to apply as long as they fulfil the eligibility criteria. Please refer to the Guide for Applicants for the full list of eligibility conditions.

Applicants are free to select their own hosting institution for secondments, provided it aligns with their research focus and objectives. The choice should be based on how well the institution supports the applicant's research goals and the overall project aims.

Health and social insurance contributions are deducted from the fellow’s salary in accordance with Czech legislation.

The specifics of health insurance depend on the fellow’s nationality and residence status. The Charles University's Staff Welcome Centre will provide individual support and guidance on health insurance matters to fellows.