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TRIMIS

Czechia

Institutional framework of transport research

Framework

The oversight of research and innovation in Czechia is managed by several key organisations and government ministries. These key organisations are listed below. 

The Office of the Government of the Czechia - Section for Science, Research and Innovation (OG CR – SRI Section) is the highest body in the R&D field and was established in 2014 to coordinate and manage the RDI system. The Section is led by the Deputy Prime Minister of Science, Research and Innovation, who is also the Chairman of the R&D Council and the Chairman of the Council for Competitiveness and Economic Growth (C&EG Council). The main objectives of the OG CR – SRI Section are:

  • Science policy unification.
  • Establishing the rules for transparent funding of institutions engaged in science, research and innovation.
  • Identification and support in excellence in science.
  • The expansion of international scientific cooperation.

The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Council is an expert advisory body of the Government for RDI, whose specific management and coordination activities are established in the RDI Act. Their main responsibilities include:

  • Preparation of the methodology for evaluating research organisations.
  • Preparation of the RDI policy.
  • Processing of priorities of applied research.

The members of the Council assemble at regular meetings taking place once a month where they discuss and approve the materials related to the fulfilment of the tasks of the Council.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) is the central administrative office responsible for research and development in the Czechia. In this sphere, it focuses above all on policymaking, international cooperation and implementation of research priorities in certain areas. The Academy of Sciences is the leading non-university basic research public institution in the Czechia. It conducts both fundamental and strategic applied research to create scientific knowledge. The Academy formulates its own scientific policy, advises the state on major issues of its R&D policy, administers national as well as international research programmes, and promotes cooperation with both applied research and industry to foster technology transfer and exploitation of scientific knowledge. The Ministry of Transport is responsible for general transport policy and submit the areas of priority for research to the OG CR – SRI Section which are them incorporated into the national research agenda. 

The Transport Research Centre (CDV), is a scientific research public institution, sits under the Ministry of Transport. It studies disciplines, such as road traffic safety, technology of construction, maintenance, repair and reconstruction of transport infrastructure - including geotechnical aspects and transport construction diagnostics.

Funding Sources and Support Initiatives

Funding & Support

The main funding instruments in the Czechia are basic financing, research grants, and operational programmes that focus on thematic areas. RDI funding in the Czechia is divided among many providers, following allocation of funds towards RDI from the national budget, determined by the Government. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports creates and manages operational programmes which cover all fields of research. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for the funding of innovation. Other key organisations in R&D funding are the:

  • Czech Science Foundation (GA CR) - an independent public organisation supporting basic research throughout all scientific fields. It provides public funding exclusively for basic research projects for both experienced and early-stage researchers on a call for proposals approach;
  • Technology Agency of the Czechia (TA CR) - responsible for the preparation of programmes in applied research and the administration of financial support to applied research projects. 

Czechia's funding and support mechanisms for research and innovation include both national and European sources. Current ongoing funding sources, strategies and national programmes include:

  • Transport Programme (2021-2027) - the main tool for large-scale infrastructure investments in Czechia. It focusses mainly on two objectives - 1) The modernisation and construction of rail and road infrastructure on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T); 2) Investing into the public transport systems of Czech cities, including the construction of a new metro station in the Czech capital Prague.
  • TREND Programme (2020-2027) - programme for Czech entities supporting applied research and experimental development to enhance international competitiveness of Czech enterprises. This builds on the well-established TRIO, APLIKACE and EPSILON programmes.
  • EPSILON Programme (2015-2025) - programme for Czech entities supporting applied research and experimental development focusing on collaboration between companies and reseach organisations.
  • INTER-EXCELLENCE Programme (2016-2024) - A multi-faceted programme focused on bilateral and multilateral collaboration in R&D, mobility or networking.
  • DELTA 2 Programme (2020-2025) - a follow-up to the DELTA Programme and will focus on international cooperation in applied research and experimental development of Czech enterprises and research organisations and their foreign partners.
  • MOBILITY Activity - help establish contacts and develop cooperation between research and development institutions in partner countries by supporting the mobility of researchers working on international research projects.
  • Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness Operational Programme - focuses on enhancing innovation and the competitiveness of enterprises in order to increase their added value, stimulate growth and job creation and improve the performance of the research and innovation (R&I) systems, including increased private investments in R&I. It will be one of the main implementation tools to achieve the objectives of the Smart Specialisation Strategy.
  • Integrated Regional Programme (2021-2027)- with the objective of improving the services for citizens, the programme will upgrade existing infrastructure and build new ones.
  • Technologies and Applications for Competitiveness Programme(2021-2027) - the main objective of the programme is to increase the added value and productivity of Czech enterprises (in particular small and medium-size enterprises, SMEs). Priorities included sustainable urban mobility, greener Europe and enhancing research and innovation.
  • Environment Programme (2021-2027) - The programme will support public bodies and individuals in their effort to improve the living conditions in Czechia. Its contribution is essential in the effort to reach carbon neutral and green economy.
  • Operational Programme Transport 2021-2027 (OPD3)- The main goal of the supported interventions is to contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the Czech Republic by improving transport accessibility. Transport and transport services are still among the most important problem areas in the Czech Republic that need attention. The three material priorities of OPD3 are; interventions on the railways and the TEN-T road network, road projects outside the TEN-T network, projects in the field of urban transport (tram and trolleybus lines) and alternative fuels infrastructure.

International research and development cooperation programmes and partnerships of the European Union relevant to the Czechia include:

(Last updated: 04/11/2024)