Advance your project with the PRAK program

PRAK is an internal program of the Czech Academy of Sciences that provides funding to support the development of the application potential of research results. Project teams have up to 24 months to achieve the defined objectives and to transfer research results to first customers, industrial partners, public administration bodies, or non-profit organizations.

The aim of the PRAK program is to support activities necessary for the application of knowledge generated at institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences, to motivate researchers to apply their results, and to increase the commercial readiness of research outputs with a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL). The program may also fund the protection of intellectual property. In addition, the program allows applicants to pursue another positive, measurable socio-economic impact.
What the PRAK program offers
  • Funding of up to CZK 500,000 (the funding can be used within 6 months)
  • Coverage of personnel costs as well as key project activities
  • Support with intellectual property protection
  • Support in developing an appropriate model for establishing a spin-off
  • Assistance in finding an industrial partner for licensing
  • Project manager services dedicated to your project
  • Presentation skills training for researchers
  • Opportunity to present your project to investors and an evaluation committee
  • Feedback on your project and expert consultations
Target milestones
  • Conclusion of a licensing agreement (Proposal Form A)
  • Establishment of a spin‑off (Proposal Form A)
  • Achievement of another positive socio-economic impact (Proposal Form B)
Eligibility and participation requirements
  • The support is available exclusively to institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences
  • Detailed conditions are set out in the internal directive
  • Participation in the Pitch Academy is recommended for all applicants; its aim is to help applicants clearly and convincingly present and describe their project to the evaluation committee
Important PRAK VII dates

30 March 2026 – Launch of the new PRAK call

By 11 May 2026 – Deadline for project proposal submission

19 May 2026 – Pitch Academy

4 - 5. 6. 2026 – Project presentations to the expert panel (5 minutes per project; individual time slots will be communicated directly to participants)

End of June 2026 – Announcement of PRAK VII results

 

The CETAV team also offers:

  • An in-person introduction to the PRAK program by a CETAV expert
  • Individual assistance from CETAV project managers with the preparation of the project proposal

Do you have any questions? Contact our project managers or the PRAK program coordinator.
Name and surname*
E-mail*
Message*
hidcheck
abc
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.
Submit your project proposal

Select the appropriate form (Form A for concluding a licensing agreement or establishing a spin-off, or Form B for achieving another positive socio-economic impact).
The completed and signed form must be submitted by the institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences via the data mailbox to the CAS Office (ID: fr6adt5), with the subject line: „Návrh na zařazení do programu PRAK„.
Important notes
  • The duration of the PRAK VII project is set for 1 July – 31 December 2026
  • The project proposal must be submitted signed by the director of the institute, following approval by the institute’s board
  • Investment and overhead costs are not eligible expenses and cannot be covered by the grant
  • Funding will be provided to approved projects in accordance with the Directive of the Academic Council of the Czech Academy of Sciences No. 4/2023, as amended
  • Further information is available on the internal intranet of the Czech Academy of Sciences
FAQ
  • Costs related of the protection of intellectual property (patent searches, preparation of documents for a patent application, drafting and filing a patent application)
  • Preparation of a market analysis or marketing strategy
  • Drafting of licensing agreements
  • Valuation of intellectual property
  • Completing the application will not take much time. The usual length of a completed form is only 6-7 pages.
  • The expert panel consists of investors and experts in technology transfer and the commercialization of intellectual property
  • A template of the recommended presentation content is available for download on the CETAV website
  • A project representative or the inventor of the project will defend the project before the expert committee, which evaluates projects based on three main criteria
  • Each project must have a designated coordinator from CETAV