SIGMA DC 2 - Industrial Chairs
Competition period: June 25, 2026 – August 12, 2026
The TACR announced on 24 June 2026 the 17th public call for proposals under the SIGMA Program – DC2, Industrial Chairs. The call for proposals is focused on strengthening excellent applied research, fundamentally deepening the strategic cooperation between academia and industry, and systematically involving prominent personalities in the role of Industrial Chair in key strategic roles within research organisations. The objective is to co-create an institutional culture open to knowledge transfer and the practical application of results.
The target is to attract and long-term retain internationally recognized experts in applied research within Czech research organisations, in full compliance with the conditions of the SIGMA Programme, Sub-Objective 2.
More detailed information is available on the TACR website.
Dates and Deadlines
|
Date of Call for Proposals |
June 24, 2026 |
| Deadline for Submitting Project Proposals via SISTA | August 12, 2026 |
| Minimum Project Duration | 60 months |
| Maximum Project Duration | 84 months |
Finance
| Maximum amount of funding per project | up to 42 mil. Kč per project |
| Maximum funding intensity per project | 60 % |
| Maximum funding intensity for a research organization |
90 % |
What requirements must “Industrial Chair” meet?
- An internationally recognized expert, regardless of age or nationality (including returning Czech researchers).
- New requirement for the institution: The candidate must not have worked at the host institution immediately prior to the project (however, having previously studied there is not a barrier).
- At least 5 years of professional experience abroad, including at least 2 years as a team leader.
- Demonstrable experience in applied research and commercialization, including collaboration with the applied sector.
- Workload on the project must be at least 50% on average for the entire period
- Participation in project proposal.
- Involvement in the strategic management of the research organization.
Internal deadlines:
We ask all applicants to let us know as soon as possible if they intend to participate in the competition, especially given the upcoming holiday season.
| Internal deadline for budget review | July 22, 2026 |
| ISEP |
August 5, 2026 After the budget has been reviewed and approved, the draft proposal must be uploaded to the ISEP system and the electronic approval process for the transfer form must be initiated. |
| Personnel costs |
July 22, 2026 When planning personnel costs, please follow the Methodological Guide for Planning Personnel Costs. Please send HR Manager Ing. Eva Žufanová a list of the research team members you plan to include in the project proposal. You will be sent a salary range that you can use when planning for individual employees. |
Contacts:
| Review of results with CTT | Mgr. Hana Půstová |
| Legal Consultations | Mgr. Radim Kunc |
| Consultations on project proposals | Ing. Mgr. Monika Dušková, Ph.D. |
| Economics, substantive review, submission | |
| Personel costs | Ing. Eva Žufanová |