The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic has announced the seventeenth public competition in the SIGMA Program for the Support of Applied Research and Innovation—Sub-objective 2, Early-Career Researchers and Equal Opportunity in Applied Research Projects—Industrial Chairs. The call for proposals is aimed at supporting the recruitment and long-term retention of internationally recognized experts in the field of applied research at research organizations, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the SIGMA – DC2 Program. The main objective of the public call is to support changes in research organizations that lead to greater practical application of research results and to fund the work of teams led by individuals with international experience and contacts.

• Special emphasis is placed on the person holding the position of Industrial Chair, who will lead a team of early-career researchers.
• The principal investigator of the project is a foreign researcher holding the position of Industrial Chair.
• At least two key researchers with the status of early-career researcher must be involved on the lead applicant’s team.
• There is an obligation to maintain the Chair positions for a period of 3 years after the project’s completion.
• Applicants include research organizations and companies (small, medium, and large).
• The lead applicant must be a research organization that carries out the project in collaboration with one or more companies.
• At least one company must be part of the project proposal; additional companies may join during the project’s implementation.
• The maximum funding rate per project is 60% of the budget (40% co-financing).
• The project proposal must be written in English and submitted via the TA CR SISTA information system.

You can find all the information in the Call documentation. There you will also find specifications for all aspects of the project design, which is quite complex and subject to strict rules.

The deadline for submitting project proposals is 12th August 2026.
If you are interested in participating in this public competition, please contact the Project Support Office immediately, no later than 20th July 2026.

The provider will host a webinar on 8th July 2026, starting at 10:00 a.m., which we strongly recommend you attend.