Our proposal succeeded in the first stage of evaluation of the European competition Teaming for Excellence

J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (HIPC) aims to become a leading institution in Central and Western Europe, conducting excellent research in the field of smart (nano)materials with potential for applications in molecular electronics, biomedicine, electrocatalysis or new energy storage technologies. In light of this vision, the project proposal was prepared for the first stage of the Teaming for Excellence competition (Horizon Europe). Submitted proposal was passed to the second stage of the competition and HIPC was invited to submit the second stage proposal by 7th March, 2024. 

The HIPC foresees deepening the collaboration with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), the major European research institution. Thanks to the envisaged modernisation of the existing research infrastructure, both  institutions will join forces in a joint research center of excellence and training center that will offer a stable and sustainable environment for education, research and development in the field of low-dimensional materials. Highly qualified researchers will conduct cutting-edge research using state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure.

Development of smart materials

The planned project will provide an opportunity to support the HIPC capacities in the field of development and application of smart materials. This effort is connected with the joint strategic vision of HIPC and HZDR confirmed at the end of 2022 by signing the amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding. Both institutions declared a joint effort to deepen cooperation and synergy in the field of international cooperation and the development of new materials in the framework of a joint research and training center. 

The project proposal was drafted by the Project office team led by Dr. Jan Hrusak in cooperation with the research team represented by prof. Martin Hof, doc. Martin Kalbac and Dr. Otakar Frank. 

The project foresees complementary funding from Horizon Europe and OP JAK. Regarding this, the Project Office will prepare an application for the national competition Teaming CZ released in 2023. European resources would ensure the start-up implementation phase of the excellent research center and Czech resources would cover the investment part of the project. The six-year project assumes a maximum budget of EUR 15 million from European sources and at least the same amount from national sources.