Young researchers can once again apply for the Brno Ph.D. Talent scholarship

The City of Brno, in cooperation with the JCMM association, has announced the next edition of the prestigious scholarship competition. The project, which is entering its seventeenth year, is intended for early-career researchers enrolled in doctoral study programs at four Brno universities, including BUT. Selected applicants will receive a scholarship of CZK 360,000, paid over a period of three years, enabling them to fully focus on their research. Registration for the new round of Brno Ph.D. Talent will take place from September 4 to 23, 2025.

Doctoral students in technical and natural science fields can apply by submitting their project in the required structure and defending it before a jury composed of independent experts. Presentations and defenses will be conducted in English.

As in previous years, JCMM offers a Workshop for Applicants, scheduled for September 4, 2025.

In last year’s edition, eight representatives from BUT were among the 25 awardees – from CEITEC BUT (3), the Faculty of Information Technology BUT (2), the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering BUT (2), and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication BUT (1).

“At the beginning, there were around 120 students and fifty projects advanced to the second round, including mine. The next part was the presentation of the project before the expert committee, where the most important scientific aspects had to be emphasized. Every word and every slide had to be carefully considered,” recalled Vít Šimara from FME BUT, who studies the use of ionic liquids in tribology, a field focused on friction and lubrication.

“The six minutes allocated for presenting the topic to the expert jury flew by in the blink of an eye. There was a strict timer during the defense; it rang, and I knew I had no chance to add anything more. Luckily, a Q&A session with the reviewers followed the presentation, so I had the opportunity to elaborate on some points,” Šimara added.

“Receiving the Brno Ph.D. Talent award is not just a personal achievement. It is confirmation that my research has practical value and purpose. It's a beacon indicating that this direction is meaningful, as not only academics but also practitioners see the value of the project. And I have the chance to improve cybersecurity for everyone working on an internet-connected computer,” said another awardee, David Chocholatý, a computer scientist from FIT BUT, whose goal is to ensure the safest possible access to websites for regular users, such as in online banking.

Overview of other successful applicants from BUT in last year’s competition: Tereza Havlíková (CEITEC BUT) focuses on the development of new ceramic materials for lasers and X-rays, Michal Foltýn (CEITEC BUT) seeks alternatives to expensive metals used, for example, in medical tests, Jiří Kabát (CEITEC BUT) maps how thermal effects degrade the resolution of electron microscopes, Michal Hečko (FIT BUT) focuses on formal verification, which helps detect software bugs, Jan Kramář (FME BUT) works on developing methods for detailed study of alternatives to Li-ion batteries, Dominik Klement (FEEC BUT) aims to increase battery reliability and lifespan, and provide practical benefits for energy storage systems across various industries.

Applicants can also find a detailed guide for applicants and the competition schedule on the JCMM website.