Supporting research excellence at BUT

We are committed to supporting top-tier research by providing our scientists and research teams with the necessary tools to achieve international recognition and excellence.

Excellence fund


BUT has established the Research Excellence Fund as a key instrument to drive scientific progress and support cutting-edge research. Its primary goal is to encourage and support researchers in applying for prestigious grant projects characterized by high quality, originality, and innovative approaches. The fund offers not only financial support but also expert and organizational assistance in preparing and successfully implementing top-tier research projects.

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The Excellence Fund is financed through institutional funding for the university’s long-term strategic development. It operates under Decision No. 9/2024, outlining eligibility criteria and application rules. Each year, the fund provides targeted support to researchers applying for or conducting projects within major national and international programs, including the European Research Council (ERC), selected Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the EXPRO and JUNIOR STAR programs of the Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), the ERC CZ program, and the DIOSCURI program.

The fund supports the following activities:

  1. Encouraging and Supporting Grant Applications
    • Incentives for applicants – Financial support for researchers applying for prestigious grants such as ERC, EXPRO, JUNIOR STAR, and MSCA.
    • Preparation costs for ERC second-round evaluations – Coverage of expenses related to preparing for second-round evaluations, including travel and mock interviews.
  2. Stabilizing Excellence Teams at BUT
    • Supporting promising researchers – Ensuring the continuity of research teams by providing financial aid to applicants whose proposals in JUNIOR STAR and EXPRO received the Seal of Excellence (ranking among the top 20% of evaluated applications) but were not funded due to resource constraints. This support enables them to reapply with a high-quality project.
  3. Welcome Packages for ERC Grant Holders
    • Support for ERC grant recipients – Funding additional project-related expenses, such as research infrastructure costs or salaries for team members.
  4. Co-Financing DIOSCURI Projects
    • Providing mandatory co-financing – Covering the required institutional co-funding for DIOSCURI projects.

Through these measures, we are creating an environment that allows our researchers to focus on high-impact research, delivering innovative results with a global reach.

Support for international collaboration with leading foreign research organizations

Each year, BUT allocates a portion of its resources to fostering and establishing new collaborations with top-tier international research institutions and scientists. Through the annually announced BUT Scholarship and Partnership Program for Excellence, both incoming and outgoing mobility are supported. Funding is awarded based on an evaluation of the mobility proposal (project), considering its contribution to research excellence and its broader impact.

Systematic methodological support for submitting high-quality research projects

Project support plays a crucial role in enhancing research excellence, helping BUT expand its participation in European research programs and initiatives. By fostering international collaboration, we create new research opportunities and increase the university’s global competitiveness. BUT provides comprehensive assistance in project preparation and implementation, along with systematic monitoring of grant opportunities.


Additional tools for supporting research excellence

  • Mechanisms for identifying and evaluating excellence
  • Significant prioritization of top-tier research outcomes in the allocation of DKRVO funding
  • High-quality research infrastructure and its continuous development

An essential aspect of supporting excellence and ensuring its strategic focus is the evaluation of the real impact of these tools at all stages of their lifecycle.


Rector's awards for outstanding achievements in research and arts


The Rector’s Awards at BUT celebrate outstanding scientific and artistic achievements, recognizing researchers and innovators who push the boundaries of knowledge and inspire society. These awards serve as both a mark of distinction and motivation, encouraging excellence, creativity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. They also highlight the university’s research successes to both the public and the academic community.

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The awards are presented annually in ten categories, reflecting key areas of academic research, applied development, and artistic excellence:

  1. Publication with a rapid impact on the scientific community – For research publications that gain significant recognition shortly after publication.
  2. Publication with a high scientific impact – For publications ranked among the top 1% most cited in their field.
  3. Outstanding contribution by a BUT research team – For highly cited papers produced primarily at BUT.
  4. Exceptional applied research result – For major applied research outcomes, such as patented inventions, licensed technologies, or spin-offs/startups.
  5. Outstanding conference contribution – For high-impact conference presentations that shape scientific discourse.
  6. Outstanding artistic work – Recognizing significant artistic achievements.
  7. Outstanding architectural project – Awarded for notable architectural designs.
  8. Result with exceptional media coverage – For research or innovations that attract major media attention.
  9. Highly impactful book publication – For influential academic books.
  10. Outstanding research or creative achievement – For extraordinary accomplishments not covered by other categories.

The Rector’s Awards for outstanding scientific and artistic achievements are governed by Decision No. 6/2024.

Responsibility: Mgr. Marta Vaňková