The Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR) has announced calls for project proposals for the EXPRO and JUNIOR STAR competitions. Project proposals can be submitted until April 20, 2026. Project proposals for EXPRO and JUNIOR STAR are submitted via the new GRITA system. Other competitions were announced in mid-February.
We previously reported on the competitions and challenges being prepared by GA ČR and the new rules that will apply in the article.
EXPRO
The aim of the projects is to create conditions for the development of excellent research and to help overcome barriers that reduce the success of Czech applicants when submitting proposals for ERC grants.
- The project is carried out by one person or a team of researchers from one or two institutions.
- A five-year project with support of up to CZK 50 million.
- One of the conditions is the submission of an ERC project proposal (during the EXPRO project or no later than one year after its completion).
- Deadline: April 20, 2026
Junior STAR
The aim of the projects is to provide an opportunity for the researcher to become scientifically independent, including the possible establishment of their own research group, which will bring new research topics to Czech science.
- The project is carried out by one person or a team of researchers from one institution
- The applicant must meet the condition that, as of September 30 of the year in which the competition is announced, no more than eight years have passed since the award of their PhD degree.
- The applicant must have significant international scientific experience
- Five-year projects with a total budget of up to CZK 25 million
- Deadline: April 20, 2026
Submissions for the EXPRO and Junior STAR competitions are now being accepted through the new GRITA system
Proposals for EXPRO and JUNIOR STAR projects can be submitted from March 5 to April 20, 2026 via the new GRITA system. Final project proposals for these competitions are not sent via data box, but are confirmed by the institution's statutory body directly in the GRITA application.
This is a modern platform that builds on the GRIS system. GA ČR expects it to provide easier navigation, faster loading, and improved cybersecurity.
"GRITA will not only ensure the complete management of grant projects, but will also streamline the evaluation of thousands of project proposals that are submitted to GA ČR competitions each year," says GA ČR Chairman Prof. Milan Jirsa. "The application builds on the GRIS system, on whose principles it is based, so that current project implementers and proposers will not get lost in it."
The system will be rolled out gradually. The first competitions to be announced by GA ČR at the beginning of March are EXPRO and JUNIOR STAR.
! If you plan to submit a project proposal to the EXPRO or JUNIOR STAR competitions this year, it is essential that your organization sends GA ČR power of attorney in case its statutory body wishes to delegate powers to other employees in a timely manner.
Important for Palacký University:
1) Administration in GRITA will be led by PS UP; we are currently ensuring the necessary registration process for UP.
2) Binding internal guidelines and earlier internal deadlines will be announced for UP for GA ČR competitions!
3) We will provide further information on the issue of full power of attorney for submitting project proposals in the near future.
In all competitions and calls announced by GA ČR (or GA ČR and foreign agencies), it will now be possible to submit a maximum of three project proposals (as a proposer or co-proposer), with a maximum of one project proposal in each of the categories listed. The results of the competitions will be announced on November 26, 2026. For international competitions and calls, the results will be announced later, depending on the agreement with the foreign agency.
USEFUL LINKS
- HELPDESK
- GRITA
- Návody GRITA
- Informační publikace GA ČR
- Hodnoticí proces
- (Nejen) Rodičovství a řešení projektů
- Možnost souběhu návrhů projektů
- Otevřená věda na GA ČR (Open Access a Data Management Plan)
- Důležité termíny a lhůty
Those interested in assistance with submitting a grant application can also contact the staff of the Project Service at Palacký University in Olomouc. https://www.upol.cz/ps/kontakty/. We will be happy to help you.
The GA ČR agenda is operated by:
Mgr. Martina Kleislová
martina.kleislova@upol.cz
58,563,1059
Source: gacr.cz