MEYS and the Max Planck Society are launching a call within the DIOSCURI programme to support the establishment of DIOSCURI Research Centres (DC). These are centres of excellence for internationally competitive and innovative research in the humanities, social sciences, life sciences and technology. The centres are intended to connect the local research environment and the wider scientific community.

Up to 3 centres in the whole Czech republic will be supported under the first call. Deadline for applications until 10.3.2022

Start of operation of the centre - 2nd half of 2023

(Estimated) Duration of support - 5 years

Finances - EUR 300 000/year + mandatory institutional co-financing of EUR 25 000/year

Report your interest to the contact person by 26.1.2022.

Research institutions may submit more than one form, even within the same discipline, as long as they are willing and able to host more than one DC within that discipline. If different departments of the same institution are interested in hosting a DC, a separate registration form will need to be submitted for each of them. It is advisable to be as detailed and accurate as possible on the registration form.

There will be no limit to the number of applications/registrations from MU, and the submissions will be presented to the members of the Research Strategy Board in early March 2022.

Limitations

The institution involved must guarantee the following:

1. sign a full-time employment contract with the DC manager for the entire funding period;
2. sign contracts with all DC staff;
3. provide additional funding from its own budget to the DC for an average of at least EUR 25 000 per year throughout the funding period;
4. provide the DC with optimal conditions for carrying out its research, including office and laboratory space and the research equipment necessary to complete the research;
5. provide administrative and financial services and support to the DC;
6. provide, at its own expense, a full-time English-speaking administrative coordinator exclusively for the DC for the duration of the funding period;
7. provide support related to the DC leader's relocation and residence in the Czech Republic (this may include childcare and/or assistance to the DC leader's partner in finding a suitable job (if applicable);
8. Assign a suitable institutional guide to assist the DC leader with issues related to local regulations and customs during the first year of the DC;
9. offer the DC leader a long-term perspective after the end of the DIOSCURI funding period. This includes a commitment to create a permanent post at the end of the funding period for which the DC leader can apply.