Příloha č. 1 - Popis a harmonogram Programu

History of changes

1.	July 2022,
p. 26, 28	Consortium agreement concluded between SIC and Implementing/Associated partner was replaced by Bilateral agreement concluded between SIC and Implementing partners.	
2.	July 2022, p. 27	Gantt chart (Figure 6) was modified according to the formal requirements for MSCA- COFUND project funded under Horizon Europe	
3.	July 2022, p. 5,
27	The calls and all subsequent deliverables and milestones were postponed by 2 months in the project timeline.	
4.	July 2022, p. 12	Coaching/mentoring was added to the description of training costs	
5.	July 2022, p. 12	The amount of management costs and total budget was changed	
6.	July 2022, p. 5	Relaxed mobility rule was removed	
7.	July 2022, p. 11	The information about candidates invited to oral interview was specified. Maximum of 30 candidates per call will be invited for oral interviews.	
8.	July 2022, p.
5,6, 32, 33	Recommendations from the Ethics summary report were included and the text was aligned to be coherent with these recommendations. All successful proposals (ranked list and reserve list) will be screened or reviewed for ethics, therefore, the ethic pre- screening phase was removed.	
9	September 2022, p. 34 - 37	Section 5 with the table of partner organisations was included.	

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXCELLENCE	3
Quality and novelty of the selection / recruitment process for the researchers	3
Transparency of the selection process of the researchers	3
Organisation of the selection process	6
Evaluation Criteria	10
Equal opportunities	11
Appointment conditions of researchers	12
Quality and novelty of the research options offered by the Programme	13
Excellence of the research programme	13
Quality of the research options in terms of interdisciplinary research options, intersectionality and international networking	15
Open science practises	17
Research data management and management of other research outputs	17
Quality, novelty and pertinence of the research training programme	17
Overview and content structure of the postdoctoral training programme	17
Role of non-academic sector in the training programme	19
Quality, novelty and pertinence of the supervision, career guidance and career development arrangements
19
Supervision arrangements	19
IMPACT	21
Strengthening human resources good practices at institutional, regional, national or international level, in particular through aligning the practices of participating organisations with the principles set out by the EU for human resources development in research and innovation	21
Impact of the proposed programme on strengthening research human resources at the institutional, regional, national or international level	21
Contribution of the Programme to the implementation of principles set out by the EU for the human resources development in R&I at the participating organisations	23
Credibility of the proposed measures to enhance the career perspectives and employability of researchers and contribution to their skills development	24
Impact of the research and training on the fellows' careers	24
Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination and exploitation plan, including communication activities	24
Plan for the dissemination and exploitation activities, including communication activities	24
Strategy for the management of intellectual property, foreseen protection measures	26
QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION	26
Quality and effectiveness of the work plan, management, structures, assessment of risks and  appropriateness of the effort assigned to work packages	26
Quality and capacity of the host institution(s) and participating organisations	27
Appropriateness of the infrastructure and capacity of each participating organisation	27
Support offered to the candidates/researchers during the application/recruitment/implementation by the host/participating organisations	28
Consortium composition and exploitation of participating organisations' complementarities	28
Commitment of the beneficiary and Implementing/Associated partners to the Programme	29
ETHICS	30
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS	34

Excellence
Quality and novelty of the selection / recruitment process for the researchers
Transparency of the selection process of the researchers
Dissemination of the calls in appropriate ways
The Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (hereafter MERIT or the Programme) will be a new regional programme for international incoming postdoctoral researchers. In total, 51 partners are committed to host, supervise and train 30 researchers from all over the world within MERIT. The Implementing partners are represented by research organisations and universities established in the Central Bohemia Region (hereinafter the Region). Associated partners are represented mostly by SMEs, but also by large enterprises, universities and high schools located in the Region or outside the Czech Republic. 15 Implementing partners will host fellows for 24 to 30 months and 36 Associated partners will offer secondments for 2 to 9 months. The total length of each secondment much depends on the total length of each fellowship, in any case for each fellow it will amount to a maximum of 30% of his/her fellowship length. The lengths of fellowships and secondments were agreed based on general consensus among the Implementing and Associated partners with regard to their hosting capacities and joint requirements of the Programme (in terms of communication/dissemination and training activities). The Programme and the network of partners will be coordinated by the Beneficiary (hereinafter SIC). Two Calls for recruitment (and one reserve call if deemed as necessary) over the five-year programme will result in fellowships benefitting from transnational mobility opportunities, intersectoral experience, an environment for interdisciplinary research and advanced training. A full-time Programme Manager (PM) has been appointed together with other members of the Management Board (MB) that has designed a Strategy for the dissemination and communication of the Programme and its calls (Strategy). This Strategy is meant to promote both calls throughout the first 14 months of the running of the Programme.
With this Strategy, MERIT aspires to attract at least 100 high-quality candidates in order to select the 30 best among them through an international, open, transparent and equal opportunity process, with the intention to reach a success rate of the submitted applications of around 30% in order to boost the competitiveness of the Programme. The PM will monitor the interest in the calls disseminated in various channels of communications (see Table 1) using web analytics and other tools, such as heat maps and online feedback questionnaires, to adapt the Strategy where necessary.   The   MERIT   logo   (including   this   image      representing diversity and unity and referring to puzzles that exercise the brain by fitting different pieces together; such pieces represent new skills that ultimately will build excellence in scientific research) and the MSCA visual identity will be used on the disseminated materials. SIC has significant marketing experience as the coordinator of the PR strategy in R&D&I for the Central Bohemia Region, has a professional team dedicated to PR & marketing and an expert responsible for international relations who will assist the PM with the public outreach strategy. In addition, the Implementing and Associated partners have relevant experience in the dissemination and communication of research results through their  participation in previous European framework programmes or other international projects and especially H2020 projects (e.g., one of the Implementing partners, the Řež Research Centre, participated in 32 H2020 projects).
With all these elements in place, the Strategy is tailored to the desired target group: international postdoctoral researchers who have achieved outstanding results in their research and demonstrate potential in their field to apply for the prestigious fellowships under MERIT. SIC will carefully consider diversity aspects (e.g. geographical, age, ethnical, economic situation), the inclusion of researchers at risk and the gender balance when advertising the Programme, using tools that will reach all these groups.
Table 1: Tools for Calls dissemination
Type of tool	Description	
MERIT
programme website	The Programme website will include key resources and details about MERIT, the Implementing and Associated partners, their infrastructures, supervisors, etc. The website will be launched in M2. It will be monitored using web analytics to know how much traffic it gets, including heat maps to know where the attention of the potential candidates is, and adjusted accordingly.	
Programme launch event	The event will take place in the premises of one of the Implementing partners. The key audience will be leaders of research groups, ambassadors who will promote the call in their home countries, industry leaders, etc. Promotional material will be developed and handed out in digital form (USBs) to eliminate the use of paper as much as possible.	
Electronic communication kit	In addition to the press releases, SIC will share an electronic communication kit that will include posters, flyers, and hand-outs about the calls. The kit will be used by Implementing and Associated partners in conferences and network events in the selected fields.	
EURAXESS	The Programme and its Calls will be advertised on the EURAXESS website including the Science4Refugees initiative.	
MERIT   project consortium networks	Institutional websites, social media and other channels of, in total, 51 Implementing and Associated partners in the Czech Republic and abroad (located in many European countries such as Germany, Austria, Italy, Latvia, United Kingdom, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, as well as in the U.S.A and Mexico) that committed (in the Letters of Commitment) to take an active role in the promotion and communication of the Programme and its calls.	
International
and national job portals	International job portals, e.g. Nature Careers, Jobs Science Career, Academic positions, New Scientist Jobs,   University Positions EU, Jobs.ac.uk, Science Careers AAAS. Gender equality job search portals such as European  Association of Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, Orange Jobs and Academia.Net. Other websites,	

	e.g. French research jobs ABG, International Association of Universities (IAU), Trabajar en Chequia, Czech Emploi,   Life Science Network etc. Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Technical University in Prague, Charles University,   Research Jobs (Czech platform that advertises job opportunities in science and technology), STAR cluster, etc.	
Social media	MERIT Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter accounts will be created. In addition, the MSCA Facebook and  LinkedIN group will be used. To multiply the effect, SIC and its partners will share the promotional material (kit material) about the call on their own social media: e.g. LinkedIn, Facebook.	
International networks	and projects	Information about the calls will be sent to 1) the partners and NGOs of the Inspireurope project supporting researchers at risk, 2) Czech Embassies abroad, 3) foreign embassies in the Czech Republic and its network of Science and Technology Ambassadors, 4) international networks, e.g. Red Global Mexico, KEA network of New Zealanders abroad, Czexpats in Science, Czech.Global (Czechs living abroad), 5) Consortia (EU projects and others) that SIC or partners are part of, requesting to disseminate it among key research institutions.	
Online Info days	An online Info day will be carried out before each call opens (promotion through the partner networks and the MSCA National Contact Point). It will be streamed and available on YouTube and aimed raising awareness about the Programme and its calls among potential applicants.	
Thematic conferences, exhibitions, journals	Brochures will be prepared to be handed over in strategic conferences and exhibitions in the Czech Republic and abroad. Careful planning will be done in terms of content, location, timing, using the right language to create a large response. Examples: European Researchers’ Night, Science Week, Innovation Week, International Rector’s Conferences, etc. Ads in journals, e.g. Optics & Laser Technology, Nature Biotechnology, Energy Research Journal and Journal of Innovation in Digital Ecosystems will be also used.	
Information provided to the candidates
Table 2: Information provided to the candidates through the MERIT website1
Information	Description	
Background and framework of the Programme	MERIT will be a one-of-a-kind regional programme of Central Bohemia with 5 application areas (Biotechnologies/Biomedicine, Laser technologies, Space technologies, Sustainable energy/materials and Digitalisation/AI).	
Central Bohemia region, RIS3	Applicants will be informed of living and working in the Region, visas and work permits (with links to the Central  Bohemia website and Welcome Office website) and RIS3 Strategy of the Central Bohemia Region.	
Implementing and Associated partners (using the full potential of digital tools)	A “virtual gallery” of Implementing partners will be part of the MERIT website, including their virtual tours, the research programmes they offer, key research facilities, infrastructure and equipment, profiles of supervisors and their expertise. A “virtual gallery” of Associated partners will be part of the MERIT website, including type of secondment they offer (non-academic or academic), related research disciplines and industry sectors, previous cooperation with Implementing partners, profiles of relevant supervisors, etc.	
MERIT online system	A video tutorial will be created on how to apply through the MERIT online system (account creation, uploading documents, editing options, etc.). FAQs and Helpdesk will be available for technical support for the application.	
Conditions of the fellowship	Applicants will be informed of terms and conditions, available budget, calls calendar and indicative timeline, eligibility requirements, selection and evaluation process, employment conditions and obligations, amounts that will be provided to the benefit of the researchers, as well as salary breakdown and applicable taxes and duration of fellowships. FAQs and corresponding downloadable Guide for Applicants, application form, annexes and mandatory templates will be available. Information about the Career Development Plan and training options will be available (see 1.3). Work contracts will be concluded in English.	
Secondments	Secondments will be an imperative experience. All applicants will be informed of the requirements. Secondment options will be offered by Associated partners or freely chosen by the candidates. The secondment template will be available (see 1.1.1.3).	
Transnational mobility	Transnational mobility will be an imperative experience. All applicants will be informed of the minimum requirements (see 1.1.1.3).	
Evaluation and selection process	Information about the evaluation and selection workflow, indicative timeline, weighing factors + evaluation criteria (research proposal and interview), applying threshold, minimum and maximum scores and explanation of the scores will be provided.	
Ethical issues	The Ethics Issues Table (EIT) using an MSCA template will be available on the MERIT website. An Ethics Self- Assessment will be required if any box is checked from the EIT. Research areas excluded from funding will be described. Personal data will be protected: consent with GDPR will be required (see 1.1.1.3). The Beneficiary and each Implementing partner has a Data Protection Officer who will ensure the applicants’ personal data will be processed in compliance with the applicable data protection rules (see their names in part B2 - Ethics).	
Feedback	All applicants will be notified about the successful submission of their application (by an automatic email generated by the MERIT online system). The outcomes of the eligibility check and evaluation score (a summary report from the experts' evaluation will be sent by email), and reasons for below threshold applicants (by email). Those who pass the threshold will receive an invitation for an interview. The final results of the selection process will be published on the MERIT website. The candidates recommended for funding will be contacted by the PM and instructed on the administrative procedure related to the recruitment.	
Redress	A redress template will be available on the MERIT website. Redress requests can be made solely in regard to procedural issues. Applicants will have 10 calendar days to apply for a redress procedure after being notified of their eligibility check results. Applicants will be informed by email within 5 working days if their redress request is accepted from the date the redress is submitted. If so, a new evaluation will be conducted on procedural issues. The applicant will receive the final result within 15 working days from the date the applicant received the notification of the redress being accepted.	
Suspension	The fellow is to complete the contracted period of the fellowship. Fellowships may not be suspended under other than exceptional circumstances (e.g., maternity or parental leave, military service or long-term illness). Any	

1 The information provided to the candidates will be in English

suspensions must be in line with the employment terms and follow the procedures of the Implementing partners, and, where relevant, national procedures on this matter.

Eligibility criteria and application requirements
There will be 2 open Calls for recruitment (and 1 reserve call if necessary), to be published in M6 and M14, offering 30 fellowships, 15 fellowships per call. Following the eligibility criteria, the application requirements will be applied and will be also detailed in the Guide for Applicants, in compliance with MSCA principles under Horizon Europe.
The structure of the application: Part A – administrative information (candidates’ details, keywords, abstract and lay abstract, declarations on Open Science Policy and Research Data Management), Part B – research proposal (10-page limit), Part C – CV, Part D – Ethics Issues Table, Security Issues Table, and Ethics Self-Assessment (if applicable) Part E – Secondment template and Part F – GDPR form.
A short reflection on the Gender dimension in research must be included in all research proposals (in Part B – research proposal). It means that all candidates must describe how gender or other intersectional categories such as age, ethnicity, etc., will be integrated in the content of their research projects (if not relevant, justification must be provided). See also 1.1.1.4.
The proposals must be written in English, and must be completed and submitted before the call deadline, through the MERIT online system. Failure to submit the forms by the deadline will result in the application being deemed ineligible. Proposals that will not fulfil the eligibility criteria, form and completeness of the proposal (research experience, mobility rule, deadline) will be ineligible. Excess pages (10-page limit for the research proposal) will be disregarded.
Research experience: candidates must be, at the date of MERIT’s call deadline, in possession of a doctoral degree. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered as postdoctoral researchers and will be considered eligible to apply.
The standard mobility rule will be applied. Applications will be submitted under different panels (see Table 3).
Table 3: Mobility rule applying to 4 different panels
Panel	Standard	Researchers at risk	Career Restart	Reintegration	
Description  of panel	Researchers moving within Europe or coming in from other parts of the world who do not apply to Researchers at risk, Career Restart or Reintegration panel.	Researchers with the status of refugees or researchers at all stages of their careers who are experiencing threats to their life, liberty or research career, and those who are forced to flee or have been displaced because of such threats.	Researchers who wish to restart their research after a career break (e.g. after parental leave, working outside research, etc.). The researchers must not have been active in research for a continuous period of at least 12 months within the 18 months immediately prior to the deadline for submission of proposals.	Czech nationals or long-term residents who wish to return and reintegrate in a longer-term research position in
the Czech Republic.	
Mobility rule	Standard mobility rule	
Standard mobility rule: Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Czech Republic for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call deadline.
Research proposals:
During the preparation of their proposal, the Programme Manager will be at the candidates’ disposal regarding any technical and administrative issues of the call (in addition to the information and FAQs available on the MERIT website), regarding infrastructure, technical equipment of the Implementing/Associated partners or their supervisors. To ensure meeting the individual needs of all the candidates, during the application stage they will be able to freely formulate their own research topics and choose the appropriate Implementing and Associated partners to host them, including supervisors.
Ethics: MERIT is committed to ensuring that all research activities will comply with ethical principles and relevant Union, national and international law, respecting the relevant Horizon Europe ethics rules (see B2 – 4. Ethics).
Applicants will need to fill in 1) the compulsory Ethics  Issues  Table  and  Security  Issues  Table  to declare whether their proposed research activity deals with the research areas focusing on: human embryos/foetuses, humans, human cells/tissues, personal data, animals, third countries, environment & health and safety, artificial intelligence, other ethics issues or misuse; and 2) Ethics Self-Assessment (if any potential ethical issues are identified)..
All successful proposals (ranked list and reserve list) will be screened or reviewed for ethics. SIC and the partners will ensure the applicant’s personal data will be treated in compliance with the GDPR rules (see part B2 – 4. Ethics). All Implementing partners possess security certifications related to the types of activities carried out by their employees. In the beginning of each fellowship, fellows will attend mandatory security training applying to the type of activity they will execute and will be familiarised with the security protocol of their workplace.
The following integral parts of the fellowship are the major benefits for the researchers’ career development:

Transnational mobility:
Transnational mobility is mandatory. The fellows must participate in a minimum of 3 events outside of the Czech Republic. These should significantly add to the impact of the fellowship and be relevant in terms of the acquisition of new knowledge or the transfer of knowledge.
Examples of international events can be seminars, symposiums, congresses, workshops, conferences, summer schools, short visits etc. These events and their expected results must be reflected in the Career Development Plan (CDP) and consulted with the supervisor in the Implementing partner.
Secondments:
At least one secondment is compulsory for each fellowship. It should be relevant, feasible, and beneficial for the researcher and in line with the project objectives. The aim of secondments is to assure intersectoral, international or interdisciplinary experience for fellows, the transfer of knowledge and technologies from research organisations to industry or to gather relevant inputs and industry needs to research organisations. The applicants need to complete the secondment template as part of their application.
The duration of the secondment is from 2 to a maximum of 9 months (FTE). It can be carried out in one or more institutions in a single period or divided into shorter periods. Short visits and stays of less than 2 months are not counted as secondments.
The secondment can be carried out in the non-academic or academic sectors (private or public) in the Czech Republic or abroad. Secondments in the industry are preferred because of the application focus of the Programme. However, secondments in public or academic sectors are welcome, if they better fit the research project needs or if fellows want to experience multiple types of secondments. In any case, secondments must fulfil at least one of the three key elements: intersectoral, international or interdisciplinary.
Fellows will carry out their secondments at the premises of the Associated partners while keeping their contract with the sending institutions, the Implementing partners. The Programme offers a wide range of secondment options provided by Associated partners, including large enterprises, SMEs, start-ups/spin-offs, international universities and local high schools2. 36 Associated partners are already known at the proposal stage. Other institutions can be freely chosen by fellows and become Associated partners during the Programme implementation.
The co-supervisor from the Associated partner will be identified before the start of the secondment and will be named in the secondment agreement concluded between the Implementing and Associated.
Gender dimension and other diversity aspects
With reference to the document GENDERED INNOVATIONS 2: How Inclusive Analysis Contributes to Research  and Innovation, MERIT will stimulate gender-responsible science and technology. Since the gender dimension is a key element of MERIT, this will be present in the following stages and as a deliverable.
At the individual level (requirements at application stage): MERIT candidates must include a short reflection on the gender dimension or other intersectional categories (such as sex, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or geographical location) in their research proposals. The review on the gender dimension in the research proposals will be carried out before the oral interviews by the Equality and Diversity Committee composed of experts on gender in science. This committee will play an important role in the evaluation and selection process (see Table 4) and be part of the Interview Panel to discuss the gender dimension with the candidates and potential future fellows.
At the Programme level:
Support for fellows: The gender dimension issue can be particularly challenging for researchers from technical and life sciences research disciplines which are relevant for MERIT. That's why SIC will offer training on how to successfully and meaningfully include the gender dimension and intersectionality in the content of the fellows' research projects as part of the transferable skills training for all fellows (see Table 10). Additionally, individual consultations and support from the Management Board will be available.
Deliverable: Based on the gender dimension/intersectionality cases that will be incorporated in the fellows' research projects, the Management Board will create a Report presenting the best practices and lessons learned which will be shared and presented among MERIT partners (this report will be one of the deliverables of the WP Diversity, D6.2).
Organisation of the selection process
The selection process is inspired by the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) and includes some innovative elements:
Specific committees: One innovative approach to the selection process is the creation of specific selection committees, the evaluation committees with the full participation of international peer-reviewers (in written and oral phases), strongly interconnected among themselves to ensure the principles of equal opportunities,

Secondments in high schools will engage researchers in teaching activities for students from 11 to 19 years old.

transparency, ethics, and intersectorality oriented on applied results. Hence, the Equality and Diversity Committee will support the Management Board to secure equal opportunities for all candidates and fellows regardless of their gender, nationality, race, age, etc., while the Steering Committee, composed of representatives of different sectors, will put an emphasis on intersectorality and the application potential of the selected research projects.
Experts from the industry: In order to better assess the level of applicability of the research projects and to include the industrial point of view, the Pool of evaluators will be composed not only by scientists from the academic sector, but also by experts from the industry, particularly from the R&D departments of high-tech companies.
Gender dimension in research: The gender dimension and other intersectional categories such as age, race, nationality, sexual orientation or geographic location are carefully considered as part of the evaluation and selection process, despite the technical and life sciences focus of expected research projects.
Composition of committees involved in the different stages of the process
Table 4: Composition and roles of selection committees and other boards
Name and role	Composition and description of roles	
Management Board (MB): Eligibility check and Coordination	Composed of 3 full-time employees of the Beneficiary, SIC: Martina Vycudilíková (f), Programme Manager, Athziri Moreno Romo (f), Career Development Manager, Jakub Pechlát (m), Finance Manager
The MB will check for the eligibility of all submitted proposals, prepare the report to the Steering Committee to approve the distribution of proposals to evaluators, be part of the Interview Panel (see below), prepare Panel Reports and coordinate the whole evaluation and selection process.	
Equality and Diversity Committee (EDC): Prevention of unconscious gender bias,
Gender dimension in research	Composed of 5 members: experts on gender in science and Open Science and prominent researchers, of mixed gender and different origins and ethnicities:
Dr. Juliane Sauer (f) (Switzerland), Gender in Science Expert, more than 10 years of experience with MSCA,
Dr. Bente Knoll (f) (Austria), Gender in Science Expert, lecturer at the Vienna University of Technology,
Gabriela Langhammerová (f) (Czech Republic), Gender in Science Expert, Centre for Gender & Science,
Dr. Jorge Sanabria-Z, Ph.D. (m) (Mexico), Open Science Expert, Tecnológico de Monterrey,
Samuel Paul David, Ph.D. (m) (India), Senior researcher at the Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences. They will specifically: 1. Review and approve the call documents and procedures before the launch of each call to prevent any unintentional bias, particularly gender bias or the discouragement of female candidates from being incorporated into the Programme. 2. Review the reflection on the gender dimension in fellows' research proposals and be part of the Interview Panel to discuss these issues. 3. During the evaluation process and the fellowships: work closely with the Management Board and the Ombudsperson in case any issues related to gender, diversity or equal opportunities are raised.	
Redress Committee Redress process	Composed of the Ombudsperson and the HR Specialist of SIC.
All candidates will have recourse to redress solely with regard to procedural issues or the perceived incorrect application of eligibility criteria, and not with regard to the scientific judgments of the evaluators and members of the Interview Panel. The process is described in Table 2. The Redress Committee decisions are final.
In addition, the role of the Ombudsperson will be to solve any potential issues (contractual or others) raised by selected researchers during the fellowships, and take immediate action, if necessary.	
International evaluators: Scientific evaluation of assigned proposals	Pool of approximately 200 evaluators composed of independent experts of any nationality from outside the Programme partnership.
5 scientific panels will be established, one for each of the chosen areas, and headed by one Chair for each panel. The Chairs will match the proposals to the individual evaluators and check the quality and consistency of the experts’ Consensus Reports. The advised matching will be sent for approval to the Steering Committee (SC). The SC will have the power to propose changes to optimise the matching. Once the allocation is completed, the MB will check for any potential conflict of interest.
Each research proposal will be evaluated by 3 experts remotely. One of the evaluators will serve as a Rapporteur and will engage with the other evaluators (remotely) to prepare a Consensus Report for each application, based on the evaluation criteria and scoring.	
Ethics Committee: Ethics screening and the ethics review	Composed of 7 independent ethics experts formed from the most important ethics committees in the Czech Republic (see part B2, section 4).
The ethics screening will be executed by a single member and the ethics review by all members of the committee of proposals recommended for funding.	
Interview Panel:
Oral interviews	Composed of 10 people: 5 international evaluators, specifically the Chair of the corresponding scientific panel, 3 reviewers of the proposal and another international evaluator as an observer (for scientific discussion/independent observation); 1 permanent member of the Steering Committee; 1 member of the Equality and Diversity Committee (for gender/intersectional topics); the Programme Manager; an HR representative and a director of the corresponding Implementing partner to explain the working conditions and to enable the partners to choose their future employees. Oral interviews will be held through the online platforms ZOOM, Teams, Skype or using the virtual showrooms of concerned Implementing partners (to reduce the CO² footprint)	
Steering Committee (SC): Synergies, monitoring and approving the evaluation and selection process	Composed of 5 members related to the Central Bohemia Region and representing non-academic and academic (public and private) sectors:
Pavel Jovanovič (m), CEO of the Beneficiary, SIC (non-academic public sector),
Věslav Michalik (m), Vice-Governor of the Central Bohemia Region (non-academic public sector)
Assoc. Prof. Martin Matoulek, Ph.D. (m), medical researcher (academic public sector)
Tereza Smékalová (f), Technology Transfer Officer in the field of energy (academic private sector)	

5.   Lenka Kučerová (f), Manager of an expanding local incubator, AI Award Personality of the year 2019, (non- academic private sector)
They will specifically: 1. Review the secondments assessing the readiness of any industry/academic partnership specifically articulated in the proposal, and be part of the Interview Panel (at least 1 member). 2. Based on the final Consensus and Panel Report, approve the final list of proposals recommended for funding. The SC will also propose/approve issues to be solved during the negotiation phase. The decision of the SC will be final. 3. During the fellowships, monitor and approve progress reports. They will be authorised to suspend or terminate a fellowship due to the unsatisfactory performance of the fellow and they will provide feedback and propose adjustments to the running projects as well as the Programme in general.

Selection of experts
SIC will seek to achieve diversity among the experts (gender, age, etc.). Priority will be given to the relevant skills, knowledge and experience in the areas of their selected fields. There are two types of experts to be hired: 1) experts for selection committees and 2) international evaluators for scientific evaluation and as members of the Interview Panel. Both will sign an expert contract with an honorarium of EUR 500 per person per day.
Experts for selection committees (Steering Committee, Equality and Diversity Committee, Redress Committee and Ethics Committee) will be selected by the Management Board based on the experts' CVs and personal interviews (online or offline) led by members of the Management Board or long-term cooperation with SIC. The majority of experts were already selected at the proposal stage (see Table 4).
Evaluators for scientific evaluation of proposals: SIC will create an ample database of around 200 evaluators to efficiently manage the submitted applications. Common templates for evaluator profiles will be used in order to obtain a unified database. The evaluators’ personal data will be protected. SIC will look for national and international evaluators in different ways:
Open call for both national and international evaluators in research disciplines related to Biotechnologies/Biomedicine, Laser technologies, Space technologies, Sustainable energy/materials and Digitalisation/AI. The call will be published in month 2 of the project and will be open for 3 months. The call will be published on the MERIT website and other international websites (from Table 1) and disseminated by:
asking REA to send the information about the call to the evaluators from the MSCA expert list;
contacting the Czech NCP to share the call within the NCP network and on the national Horizon Europe portal;
using mailing lists and contacts from 51 Implementing/Associated partners, especially through their networks of partners for international cooperation (universities and research organisations)
using international contacts of SIC and the Central Bohemia Region, especially through the signed memorandums of understanding and previous international activities, such as Twinning (at least 15 international co-operations); and
contacting national grant agencies or other providers of grants in R&D&I (Grant Agency of the CR, Technology Agency of the CR, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Industry and Trade, CzechInvest, etc.)
Using existing databases:
List of contracted experts within H2020 2014-2020/Excellent science publicly available on European Funding and Tenders Portal.
Database created within the previously implemented COFUND programme in the Czech Republic (SOMOPRO) and other independent expert databases of 15 Implementing partners.
To complete the pool with evaluators coming from the business sector, SIC will use the national database of YNOVATE network experts (originally called PLATINN - Switzerland3, and the experts from R&D departments of SMEs and other companies from the SIC network (but from outside the Programme partnership to avoid any potential conflict of interest).
Before the evaluation and selection process of fellows (in month 5), the Management Board will select and nominate 5 Chairs of scientific panels related to the MERIT application areas (on the basis of personal online interviews). The choice of Chairs will be approved by the Steering Committee. Before the written evaluation phase, the Chairs of the relevant scientific panels (supported by the Management Board) will assign each research proposal to 3 individual evaluators from the pool. The matching will be based on evaluators' abstracts, keywords, profiles and the following criteria:
For each proposal, the evaluators shall be 1) of mixed gender, 2) at least two evaluators must be of another nationality than Czech and, 3) if a secondment in the private sector is foreseen, at least one evaluator shall come from the business sector.
The selection of the evaluators will be based on their expertise as evidenced by research outputs, geographic and
gender balance, reviewing experience, involvement in policy, ability to use IT tools and time availability.
Experience in international project evaluations (especially in H2020 - MSCA) is welcome.

The Czech Republic has been a holder of the licence since 2013

Requirements towards experts and evaluators:
All experts will perform their work on a personal basis, not as representatives of their institution, their country or any other entity. They are required to be independent, impartial and objective.
They will sign an expert contract with SIC, including a declaration of confidentiality, declaration of no conflict of interest4 and declaration against the discrimination of candidates on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language, disability (both physical and mental), political opinion, or social or economic condition before beginning their work.
Under the terms of their contract, all experts must declare beforehand any known conflicts of interest and must immediately inform the Programme Manager if they detect a conflict of interest during the work.
The evaluators will be given clear evaluation criteria (guide including an assessment grid) and a mandatory
online evaluation briefing (concerning criteria) organised by SIC.
In addition, the members of the Interview Panel, Management Board, Equality and Diversity Committee, Steering Committee and individual evaluators will receive a mandatory online briefing, organised by SIC, on how to avoid unconscious bias based on gender, age, ethnicity, etc.
Fellows’ selection workflow and powers entrusted to the different actors
Figure 1: Evaluation and selection process scheme

Table 5: Fellows’ selection workflow and powers entrusted to the selection committees
Steps in the selection process	Responsible Actors	Duration	
Open call	Management Board	3 months	
Information on successful submission and eligibility check to the candidates	Management Board	1 week	
Redress procedure (if applicable)	Redress Committee	3 weeks	
Matching proposals to individual evaluators	Chairs of scientific panels	1 week	
Written evaluation. Consensus discussion and upload of Consensus Reports
to MERIT online system	International evaluators	
3 weeks	
Check of the quality and consistency of the evaluators’ reports	Chairs of scientific panels	1 week	
Submission of the final Consensus Report to the SC	Management Board	1 day	
Preliminary rank list (at least a 75% in the written evaluation) of proposals
for oral interviews	Steering Committee	

2 weeks	
Review of secondments in proposals for interviews	Steering Committee		
Review of gender dimension in research in proposals for interviews	Equality and Diversity Committee		
Ethics screening and ethics review (if applicable)	Ethics Committee	
1 week	
Sending invitations for oral interviews including Consensus Report	Management Board		
Oral interviews and the Panel Report	Interview Panel	3 weeks	
Preparation of the final list of project proposals: 1) recommended for funding,
2) reserve list, and 3) not funded	Management Board	1 day	

4 The Horizon Europe contract for experts model will be used. If necessary, SIC may withdraw experts from evaluation duties. What constitutes a conflict of interest will be assessed according to the Horizon Europe rules.

Final approval and award decision	Steering Committee	1 week	
Communication of results and acceptance of fellowships	Management Board	1 week	
Work contracts and relocations	Implementing partners	4 months	
1.1.3     Evaluation Criteria
MERIT will have a two-stage evaluation process: written and oral. MERIT evaluation criteria will be inspired by MSCA-PF award criteria (excellence, impact, implementation) applying similar weighting factors. Evaluation scores will be awarded for each of the three criteria (see table below). All of the separate elements of each criterion will be considered by the evaluators in their assessment. The top ranked proposals will pass to the next stage, where candidate fellows will be invited for an oral interview.
Table 6: Criteria for the selection of researchers
CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS	
Excellence	Impact	Implementation	
Quality and pertinence of the project’s research and innovation objectives (and the extent to which they are ambitious, and go beyond the state-of-the-art).	Credibility of the measures to enhance the career perspectives and employability of the researcher and contribution to his/her skills development.	Quality  and  effectiveness  of  the work plan and assessment of risks.	
Soundness of the proposed methodology (including interdisciplinary approaches, the gender dimension and other diversity aspects if relevant for the research project).	Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination and exploitation plan, including communication activities.	Relevance, feasibility and benefit for the research project objectives of the planned secondment. Quality of the secondment choice in terms of at least one of the following principles: intersectorality,  interdisciplinarity or international mobility.	
Quality of the two-way transfer of knowledge between the researcher and the host.	Sustainability of the candidates’ research project in the Region. Opportunities to continue the research through regional/international collaboration with relevant industry or academic sectors.		
Quality and appropriateness of the researcher’s professional experience, competences and skills.			
CRITERIA FOR INTERVIEWS	
Together with the invitation for oral interviews, candidates will receive the Consensus reports including comments and questions. The goal of the interviews is to assess the candidates’ motivation for their research proposal, their capability to communicate effectively and their potential to lead a future team of their own. The interview will be held online and in English. To ensure standardisation and objectivity in the process, all candidates will have 30 minutes for the interview, including five minutes for the candidates’ presentation about their research topic and motivations to come to the Czech Republic, and 25 minutes for questions asked by the members of the Interview Panel. There will be a fixed set of questions for each category and they will correspond to a weighted score (scoring 0-5).	
Scientific discussion
Discussion following the questions raised in the Consensus reports
Discussion	on	the	gender	dimension
/intersectionality in the research proposal	Communication ability
Confidence
Clear  and  concise  communication targeted to different audiences
Giving and receiving feedback	Potential for leadership
Interest in coaching and mentoring or leading own research groups
Past  experience  with  leading  challenging projects	
Table 7: Overview of criteria, scoring, weights and threshold for oral interview
Evaluation criteria	Scale	Criteria weight	Total weight	
-	Excellence	0-5	50%	
70%	
-	Impact	0-5	30%		
-	Implementation	0-5	20%		
Threshold for interview invitation	75%	
Criteria for interviews	Scale	Criteria weight	Total weight	
-	Scientific discussion	0-5	50%	
30%	
-	Communication ability	0-5	25%		
-	Potential for leadership	0-5	25%		
Each criterion for the written and oral stage will be scored out of 5, including decimals. A weighted total score will be calculated based on the scores of the report from the consensus discussion (70%) and the scores of the oral interview (30%). For the written part, each proposal will be remotely evaluated by three evaluators in an individual and independent manner. After carrying out their individual evaluation, the evaluators will join in a consensus discussion in order to agree on a common position, including comments and scores for each award criterion in a Consensus Report. For each proposal, one of the evaluators will be designated as the Rapporteur and will assume additional responsibilities in the evaluation phase (drafting of the Consensus Report, moderation of the remote consensus discussions). The discussion will be done through online platforms. The aim of the Consensus Report is to give a clear assessment of the proposal based on its merit, with justification and clear feedback on the proposal’s strengths and weaknesses. The quality and consistency of the reports will be checked by the Chairs of each panel. Those candidates that reach at least 75% in the written stage (but maximum 30 of candidates per call) will be invited for an interview. For the oral part, the members of the Interview Panel will have access to the different Consensus Reports in order to ensure the consistency and equal treatment of the proposals. As the experts in the written phase, members of the Interview Panel will join in a consensus discussion after each interview to agree on a common position, including comments and scores for each award criterion, which will be formulated in a Panel Report that will contain a clear assessment on the candidate’s skills and abilities.

For proposals with the same score, the following sub-criteria will apply:
Priority selection according to the scores they have been awarded for 1. Excellence, 2. Impact 3. and Implementation.
Assessment of the secondments and gender dimension in research proposals (reviewed by the Steering Committee and Diversity and Equality Committee).
The gender balance among the selected researchers will be taken into consideration.
Any further prioritisation will be based on geographical diversity.
1.1.3.1  Award decision, distribution of grants
According to the Consensus Reports and Panel Reports, the Programme Manager will prepare and present the final ranked list of projects 1) recommended for funding, 2) reserve list, and 3) not funded (proposals below the cut-off score) to the Steering Committee for their review and final award decision. There will be a reserve list of up to 8 proposals per call. The Steering Committee has the authority to request: a) a fourth review if there are major inconsistencies in the consensus report; b) a new application review if a potential conflict of interest is reported; c) a decision on the calculation of the average score when applications are evaluated by a fourth expert; d) the exclusion of proposals if they are not aligned to ethical and diversity principles. Those recommended for funding will be informed by the Programme Manager about an offer for a fellowship position at one of the Implementing partners.
Equal opportunities
MERIT will contribute significantly to strengthen European international competitiveness in the scientific field and improve working conditions for researchers at all levels of their career. The Czech central state authorities who serve as the founders of research and development institutions and others took the initiative to respect and enforce the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers back in 20065. Implementing partners involved in MERIT will offer the fellows working conditions in line with those two documents. The principle of non-discrimination is also specified in the Czech Labour Code. Moreover, SIC and all Implementing partners have Ethic Codes or similar that ensure an equal opportunities policy. No researcher will be discriminated against based on gender, age, ethnicity, nationality or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language, disability (both physical and mental), political opinion, or social or economic conditions.
At the Programme level: SIC created and nominated the members of the Equality and Diversity Committee to address diversity aspects and inclusion and the respect of people of different racial ethnic groups, ages, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. SIC also nominated an Ombudsperson for MERIT who will individually address and solve any issues raised by fellows, including the issues connected to diversity and equal opportunities.
At the level of the dissemination of the calls: MERIT will be open to any postdoctoral researchers around the world provided they comply with the mobility rule. All candidates will have equal conditions of access to information about the Programme on the MERIT website and professional support staff will be available to them. One of the roles of the Equality and Diversity Committee will be to review the call documents and procedures in order to prevent any kind of unconscious bias. MERIT will support and welcome researchers at risk (see different panels including Researchers at risk in Table 3). The calls will be advertised in the Science4Refugees initiative on the EURAXESS portal and through the network of NGOs and other partners of the Inspireurope project. SIC will advertise calls widely, explicitly promote diversity, and encourage women to apply by highlighting the number of female researchers already employed in some of the Implementing partners and by demonstrating how the gender balance and diversity in a fellowship cohort might have a long-lasting transformative impact.
At the evaluation and selection level: Briefing on how to avoid an unconscious bias based on gender, age, race, nationality or health (both physical and mental) will be a mandatory experience for the members of all selection committees. SIC will use, to the extent possible, diversity among evaluators for each evaluation (see 1.1.2.2). To determine the prevalence of gender/diversity, the Management Board will monitor e.g. the percentage of women candidates/selected researchers in MERIT, the percentage of women in selection committees/evaluators, etc. Fellows will be selected following an open, transparent, merit-based, impartial and equitable selection procedure, based on international peer review. The main criterion for recruiting the fellow under MERIT will be his/her professional skills and experiences.
At the implementation level: SIC will take all measures to promote equal opportunities between women and men in the implementation of MERIT aiming, to the extent possible for a gender balance at all levels. MERIT is committed to offering working conditions and a culture that allow women and men to have equally fulfilling careers and to equally value the aspirations and needs of women and men. Implementing partners ensure the appropriate conditions for working parents with small children (kindergartens) and workplace accessibility for people with mobility impairments. Part-time fellowships (at least 50%) in justified cases for family or

5 Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No 951 from 16th August 2006 about recognition of the European Commission's recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers

professional reasons will be allowed in order to ensure equal opportunities to working parents with small children (given the fact that in science longer breaks can have a devastating impact on a scientific career). Regarding salary conditions, the Programme will offer motivating Family Allowances in order to encourage the arrival of whole families to the Region. Implementing partners possess advanced equipment and top-class infrastructures and will ensure full Open Access for the recruited researchers to the background and results needed for their training and research activities under MERIT. SIC will apply for Special Needs Allowances in the case of researchers with disabilities selected within MERIT. SIC will also do its best to meet the needs and requirements (as reasonable adjustments) for people that might require assistance due to their gender, age, ethnicity, nationality social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language, or their condition of disability (both physical and mental), political opinion, social or economic situation.
Appointment conditions of researchers
Table 8: Amounts provided to researchers and hosting organisations
Cost categories	EU contribution (EUR/person-month)	Total cost = EU contribution + own resources (EUR/person-month)	
COFUND allowance	3 980	3980	
Mobility allowance		200	
Family allowance		500	
Travel allowance		300	
Research costs		400	
Training		300	
Management costs		870	
Indirect costs		100	
Number of fellows	30	
Number of fellow months	900	
Total amount	3,582,000	5,985,000	
Amounts for the benefit of the researchers:
COFUND allowance: €3,980 per month. It covers the salary, social security, contributions, taxes and other costs included in the remuneration. This amount will be taxable.
Mobility allowance: €200 per month. It is provided to compensate for the cost of the required personal and household relocation of the fellow and his/her dependents. This amount will be taxable.
Family allowance: Up to €500 per month. This will be paid if the researcher has family obligations (under the same conditions as defined in the MSCA Work Programme, p. 84) and will be two-level (€250 for researchers with family obligations not including children; €500 for researchers with family obligations including children). The amount was calculated based on the knowledge of the local environment (e.g., private English school fees) to motivate researchers to relocate to the Region with the whole family. This amount will be taxable.
Travel allowance: €300 per month. It covers travel expenses for training/events, workshops, conferences, etc. This amount will not be taxable.
Research costs: €400 per month. It covers research-related materials and small equipment purchases.
Training in transferable and research skills: €300 per month. It covers costs for both training in research and transferable skills and coaching/mentoring.
1.1.5.1 Employment conditions and comparison of the proposed working conditions through the Programme with the regional and national ones
The researchers’ cost was calculated at €5,680/person/month. Out of this amount, direct remuneration for selected researchers will be €4,980 (including COFUND, mobility, family and travel allowances) and €700 will cover research and training costs, also for the benefit of the fellows. The Programme salary conditions are therefore highly competitive with regard to living costs in the Central Bohemia Region and Prague and with regard to the average postdoctoral researcher’s salary in the Czech Republic, which is approximately €1,200/person/month. The MERIT programme offers even more competitive salary conditions than MSCA-PF for the Czech Republic, which is
€5,278/person/month. Moreover, MERIT fellows will benefit from excellent training programmes in research and transferable skills and from other career development opportunities (see 1.3) as well as interdisciplinary research options, intersectoral exposure and international networking opportunities (see 1.2.2), which exceed the regular career opportunities in the research centres of the Central Bohemia Region or the Czech Republic.
The fellows will be recruited by the Implementing partners under the relevant employment law with full social security and health security coverage. In the Czech Republic, the employment contracts imply sickness, parental and unemployment benefits. No additional commercial health insurance is necessary. Depending on the Implementing partners’ practice, other benefits may also be provided to the fellow, such as contributions to pension funds, provisions for annual and sickness leave, etc. Some Implementing partners offer accommodation in the premises they themselves own. All work contracts will be concluded in English. The funding to fellows will be paid on a monthly basis.

Central Bohemia, where the Implementing partners are all located, is the largest and the most populous region of the Czech Republic, situated both in the heart of Europe and the Czech Republic. Its administrative centre is in the Czech capital city of Prague, which lies in the natural territory of the Region. However, the city of Prague is not part of the Region but is a region of its own (see the map below).
In general, the workplaces of Implementing partners recruiting fellows are located in quiet rural areas of the Region surrounded by scenic landscapes but also in proximity of the capital city of Prague, with possibilities for an active international social and cultural life. There are great train or bus connections across the Region, with international lines to many European cities, affordable accommodation and good infrastructure (e.g., high-quality medical care accessible for everyone, kindergartens/schools for children including international ones). In conclusion, fellows will benefit from high-quality working and living conditions in the centre of the Czech Republic, which ranks as the 9th safest country in the world6. With a constantly low unemployment rate and labour shortage, the Region offers great job opportunities not only for international researchers, but also for their family members.
Figure 2: Central Bohemia Region and some of its figures7:

All MERIT fellows will benefit from the regional Welcome Office support (a programme existing since 2018). The services are divided into “before arrival” and “after arrival”. Before arrival: it is intended to help researchers with procedures before entering the Czech Republic, in cooperation with EURAXESS Prague. Researchers, especially non-EU researchers, will be informed about the scientific VISA procedure and will be supported in order to obtain all the necessary documents for the VISA application process in due time. In addition, fellows will obtain all practical information necessary to them and their family members for their life in the Central Bohemia Region, tips/advice on how to find suitable accommodation or schools for children. After arrival: fellows will be supported in their communication with the authorities and will be invited to join regular International Researcher Meetups organised (since 2020) by the Welcome Office, which are very popular among the foreign researchers living in the Region. Fellows will have an opportunity to attend free Czech language courses provided by the national NGOs and EURAXESS. Besides that, fellows will benefit from the support of the institutional welcome offices within the HR departments of each Implementing partner. Before a fellow is recruited, the HR department at the host institution will familiarise fellows with national regulations and provisions concerning social security and pensions, provisions for maternity/parental leave and answer any of the fellows’ questions regarding their work contract and affiliation to the institution.
Quality and novelty of the research options offered by the Programme
Excellence of the research programme
MERIT is an excellent research mobility programme offering a wide range and quality of research options in terms of research infrastructure, equipment, research teams/projects and disciplines. The uniqueness of the Central Bohemia Region is in its great diversity in research, innovation and technology, which creates the ideal ground for interdisciplinary and intersectoral research. MERIT research and training options will be ensured by the engagement and commitment of 15 Implementing partners (regional research organisations) and 36 Associated partners from non-academic (private and public) and academic sectors. MERIT sets up application areas which range among  the  most  promising  technologies  for  the  future  and  are  in  line  with  the  RIS3  of  the  Region:

6 The Global Peace Ranking 2021.
7 The dots on the map indicate research organisations located in the Region.

Biotechnologies/Biomedicine, Laser technologies, Space technologies, Sustainable energy/Materials and Digitalisation/Artificial Intelligence (which is a cross-cutting area because the research options offered within Digitalisation are always combined with some of the other application areas). The choice of these areas was based on the strategies at the regional, national, European and global level, including Horizon Europe clusters from Pillar II (top-down approach). On the other hand, also the research infrastructure and technical resources of the Region offers fertile land for MERIT areas (bottom-up approach): the most intense lasers in the world in ELI Beamlines or the largest institute for phenogenomics in Central Europe in BIOCEV are good examples (see Figure 3). Digitalisation/AI is reinforced by the presence of the Brain4Industry Digital Innovation Hub (the national candidate for the European Digital Innovation Hub) and the prg.ai hub in artificial intelligence as an Associated partner of MERIT. Moreover, one of the Implementing partners is the leader of the H2020 RICAIP project to build the European Centre of Excellence for Industrial Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
Figure 3: MERIT areas and compliance with regional, national, European and international strategic frameworks

MERIT is unique, among other mobility programmes, because the Beneficiary of MERIT is a Regional Innovation Centre, as the coordinator of the wide network of Implementing and Associated partners which will host selected researchers. SIC has the deepest knowledge of the regional innovation ecosystem and a close connection with the key stakeholders representing non-academic and academic sectors. It is the leader of the Regional Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of Central Bohemia and, due to this strategic overview will create synergies between MERIT and other already existing regional programmes, initiatives and funding schemes. SIC is the designer of new regional programmes to boost the regional economy and its transition to Industry 4.0 while respecting the principles of sustainable development. In the last six years, SIC has fostered a successful and trustworthy network of research and industry partners at regional, national and international levels which will serve as a perfect innovation ecosystem for the implementation of the MERIT programme and it makes the Regional Innovation Centre the ideal COFUND programme leader in terms of intersectoral, interdisciplinary, international and novelty elements.
The Implementing partners are e.g. large research infrastructures with significant international overlaps and top- class equipment, 2 European Centres of Excellence BIOCEV (Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University) and the pan-European project ELI Beamlines, in addition to 4 other new infrastructures (funded from ERDF in the programming period 2007-2013). On the other hand, there are long- established institutes with rich histories and achievements such the Astronomical Institute (dating back to 1898), hosting one of the European ARC nodes of the international ALMA project.
The privileged position in the vicinity of Prague also makes the Region an attractive location for the private sector. Seventeen branches out of the top 100 European investors in R&D are located in the Region, e.g., VOLKSWAGEN
 (ŠKODA) , HELLA, CONTINENTAL or VALEO (one of the Associated partners). These corporations and other multinational companies such as RIGAKU (X-ray and Space), expanding local SMEs, e.g., LINET (the global leader of smart hospital beds exporting to 100 countries), BEZNOSKA (Healthcare) and new businesses, incubators, start- ups, e.g., DIANA Biotechnologies represent other potential career opportunities for the fellows. The fellows will benefit from the already-existing network of academic institutions and businesses connected for interdisciplinary research, and to carry their intersectoral collaboration. MERIT aspires to support individual-driven research projects with a strong application focus. In addition to international networking, interdisciplinary exposure and

career development, fellowships will also include intersectoral secondments and industry networking events such as speed dating or hackathons in cooperation with the stakeholders from industry mentioned above.
Quality of the research options in terms of interdisciplinary research options, intersectionality and international networking
Interdisciplinary exposure
MERIT offers a real variety and diversity of research programmes (see Table 9 below). These research programmes are offered by the 15 Implementing partners based on the application areas set up by MERIT and are composed of multidisciplinary research teams. Interdisciplinarity will be ensured because MERIT candidates will freely choose among these options and formulate their own research topics connecting several research disciplines. Table 9: Research options of MERIT
Main	MERIT area	Examples of research programmes offered by 15 different Implementing partners	Main HE clusters synergies	
Biotechnologies/ Biomedicine	Structural Biology and Protein Engineering (Structural biology of signaling proteins, Structural proteins and their complexes, Molecular Interactions of Anti-cancer drugs, Protein Structure Characterization by Advanced Mass Spectrometry), Development of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures (Molecular Pathogenetics), Molecular Ecology, Cell Signaling, Experimental Neurobiology, Translational Neuroscience, Biotechnological Use of Algae, Biomonitoring and Water Treatment, Plant Biodiversity and Evolution, Environmental and Isotope Geochemistry	Health Cancer Biodiversity Environment
Environmental observation	
Laser technologies	Advanced Laser Development (Thin Disk Lasers and Nonlinear Optics, High-Energy Slab Lasers), Industrial Laser Application (Laser Shock Peening, Laser Induced Damage Threshold, Efficient Laser Micromachining), Scientific Laser Applications (Laser Matter Interaction, Laser Material Processing, Nanomaterials, Mid-IR and Bio-applications, Ultrafast Photonics), X-Ray Sources, Particle Acceleration, Ultrahigh Intensity Interactions, Development of new laser technologies (DPSSL technology, Nonlinear Laser Amplification, Petawatt Lasers	Industrial research and innovation	
Space technologies	Solar Physics - Physics of solar flares and prominences, Structure and dynamics of the solar atmosphere, Heliosphere and space weather, Solar Radioastronomy, Stellar Physics - Physics of Hot Stars, Extrasolar Planet Research, High Energy Astrophysics, Interplanetary Matter, Galaxies and Planetary Systems, Spatial Sciences in Ecology and Environment, Geodesy and Geodynamics (Development of multi-GNSS products)	Space   (including earth observation)	
Sustainable energy/ Materials	Architecture and the Environment, Energy Systems in Buildings, Materials and Structures, Indoor Environmental Quality, Complex flows in turbines for efficient power generation, Turbulent flows above terrain for improved exploitation of wind energy, Pollutant dispersion studies, Enhancement of efficiency in cooling applications, Nuclear Research (Nuclear Safety, New Technologies Development, Research Reactors, Environmental Protection, Material Research), Hydrogen Technologies	Energy Climate- neutral and smart cities
Climate action	
Digitalisation/AI (combined with some of the areas above)	GIS and Remote Sensing, Biomechanics and Assistive Technologies, Information and Communication Technologies in Medicine, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Data Science in Medical Environment, Virtual Reality in Neurosciences, Hydrological and Climate Variability, Laser scanning technology and metrological traceability, Control and Monitoring of Intelligent Buildings	Space Artificial
intelligence	and robotics	
All MERIT fellows will be able to develop core and advanced research skills within and beyond their own disciplines with regard to the scientific fields of the Implementing partners. The Implementing partners have the capacity to work with multiple disciplines and approaches and provide a perfect environment to interconnect research disciplines and even combine research areas set up by MERIT. This can be demonstrated on some of the already-existing research problems they address, such as AI applications to medical data analysis, Human-Robot Interaction, Ergonomics and workload which relates to Biotechnologies and Digitalisation; Creating high spatial resolution maps of microclimates which relates to Space technologies and Digitalisation. They also cooperate at an inter-institutional level on challenging projects requiring multidisciplinary approaches, profiles and equipment.
The Central Bohemia Region, thanks to its research infrastructures, but also due to its geographic location, provides the perfect environment for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. For example, the Region hosts an innovative interdisciplinary project Hydronaut (one of the Associated partners for secondment), supported by ESA- BIC, that includes interdisciplinary research (hyperbaric medicinal and psychological research, development and testing of technology and space agencies training).
All Implementing partners are located in proximity to one another and, due to the high concentration (33 research organisations located on 11 000 km²), they cooperate closely with each other. Moreover, the capital city of Prague is the location of many other universities and research organisations, creating a natural knowledge corridor.
In addition, the Supervisory Board of MERIT (see 1.4) composed of supervisors, co-supervisors and directors from Implementing and Associated partners, will be also multidisciplinary.
Intersectoral exposure

Figure 4: Intersectoral exposure of fellows (examples)

Secondments will be an integral and mandatory part of the fellowships. Their conditions and major benefits are described in section 1.1.1.3. Fellows will benefit from the great variety of secondment options in the non- academic sector (private or public) offered by the project consortium. In total 22 non-academic institutions have already become Associated partners of MERIT at the proposal stage. They include regional branches of large multinational companies (such as Eaton, VALEO), local SMEs (such as DEVINN, CRYTUR), innovation centres, start-ups/spin-off and incubators (such as prg.ai) and even 3 local high schools (public sector exposure).
Fellows will be employed by the Implementing partners which have established strong collaborations with national and international partners from the industry. Some of them are strongly oriented to generate applied results (e.g. HiLASE laser applications for high-tech  industry) and cooperate closely with stakeholders both

from the private and public sectors (e.g., Smart City solutions for regional municipalities).
SIC will provide multiple joint training sessions in transferable skills to all fellows, encouraging the application of research results, including workshops with local SMEs, spin-offs, etc. (see 1.3.).
Industry networking events will be organised by SIC and partners of MERIT in cooperation with other partners from the private and public sector. For example, speed dating and matchmaking events (events already organised by SIC) will bring together researchers and partners from industry. Moreover, SIC will also organise meetings of fellows with representatives from the public sector: the regional government, municipalities, schools, etc.
Moreover, the application of research results generated from MERIT can be potentially supported by regional funding programmes (e.g., INO:EX programme and Creative vouchers for research organisations, see section 0 – General description of the Programme) engaging research with industry, administered by SIC. These successful financial instruments have funded more than 100 innovative projects linking regional SMEs or start-ups with a partner from academia. SIC will promote the open calls among the fellows, their supervisors and regional business partners in order to enhance the sustainability of the research.
Lastly, the Steering Committee, which will review the secondments in the industry, be part of the Interview Panel and be the highest decision-making body of the selection process (see 1.1.2.1), is also intersectoral, since its members come from academic and non-academic sectors (public and private organisations).
International networking
Mandatory transnational mobility requirements (a minimum of 3 events outside the Czech Republic - see 1.1.1.3) will be essential to the process of integrating an international, intercultural, and global dimension into the fellows’ career development. Fellows will be able to participate in prestigious international conferences, seminars, symposiums, congresses and workshops, with respect to their scientific disciplines, together with their research teams, e.g. EMBO Symposium Microtubules: from atoms to complex systems in Germany (see Table 11 for others). In order to promote the opportunities for transnational mobility, SIC will regularly post on the MERIT website and email the supervisors and fellows about the most relevant events happening around the world where fellows will be invited to participate.
The Programme will also provide secondment opportunities in at least 11 other countries than the Czech Republic (inside and outside Europe) thanks to the network of 15 international Associated partners which have already joined the consortium at the proposal stage, e.g., DE.TEC.TOR. company (IT), Luleå University of Technology (S), Medical University Innsbruck (AUT), Queen's University Belfast, Centre for Plasma Physics (UK), Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (PL), University of Washington (U.S.A.), Tecnológico de Monterrey (MEX) and others.
All Implementing partners offer an international environment where researchers from all over the world (from Europe, the Americas, Asia, etc.) already work in cooperation with Czech researchers. One of the Implementing partners, ELI-Beamlines, is the statutory seat of the newly established ELI-ERIC consortium.
International networking will be enhanced by regular International Researcher Meetups organised 2-4x per year (from 2020) by SIC within the regional Welcome Office programme, bringing together researchers of different origins, nationalities, ages, backgrounds or scientific disciplines from all research institutions across the Region.

Open science practises
The Open Science policy of MERIT will be in line with Horizon Europe principles (Open Access policy and recommended guidelines - Horizon Europe Programme Guide, national policy - Open Access in the Czech Republic). Mandatory as well as recommended Open Science practises will be applied. As part of the Welcome package, SIC will prepare a practical Handbook for MERIT fellows to provide them with useful information and templates related to Open Science. During fellowships, researchers will receive mandatory training in Open Science tackling Open Science components (Open Source, Open Access, Open Infrastructure, Open Methodology, Open Data, Citizen Science etc.) and how to ensure Open Access to scientific publications and research data in Horizon Europe. Open science practises of the Programme will include the following:
MERIT will ensure research outcomes accessible without paywalls. The choice of venue for publishing will be done based on its Open Access policy: only Gold Open Access journals or transformative journals committed to transform into fully Open Access journals will be targeted. All of the publications will be also uploaded to either a general repository such as ZENODO or a discipline-specific repository trusted in a given research field such as bioRxiv, medRxiv, Arxiv. The upload will take place at the latest on the date of publication. Special attention will be paid to the copyright conditions set by the journals to ensure that the articles are published under open licence CC-BY (4.0) or a similar license in order to allow commercial use of the results. MERIT will ensure the early and open sharing of research, research data management (see 1.2.4), reproducibility of research outputs, provision of Open Access to research outputs (publications, data, software, models, algorithms, and workflows) and participation in open peer-review.
Citizen Science practises: Since MERIT will be coordinated by a Regional Innovation Centre, there will be significant involvement of citizens in the research projects enabling joint collaborations between researchers and citizens (e.g., volunteers will be able to collaborate with fellows to collect research data using their mobile devices). This will be ensured by several means: 1) Special Citizen Science workshops including co-design and co-creation activities with citizens and end users (as part of transferable skills training sessions); 2) Visits/secondments in high schools where projects will be discussed with students enabling their engagement and empowerment; 3) MERIT Innovation Days where key stakeholders will be invited so that the fellows’ project processes and results can be presented and have an impact on improving public policy, an essential goal in Citizen Science; 4) Promotion of national Open Science initiatives (such as Open Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences, offering up to 1 year high school student internships in research organisations or events for the public), where several Implementing partners already participate.
Research data management and management of other research outputs
Research data will be managed in compliance with FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and re-usable) principles and the principle “As open as possible, as closed as necessary”. As stated above, MERIT will ensure open access to peer review research articles and publications and, in line with that also to research data generated within the MERIT projects following Horizon Europe’s Open Access policy. The subsequent principles will be followed:
Certified trusted repositories or disciplinary and domain repositories endorsed by the research communities and recognized internationally (e.g. ZENODO, or a suitable repository to be found through OpenDOAR, ELIXIR or Registry of Research Data Repositories) and online tools such as DMP online, Argos or Data Stewardship Wizard and software and tools for research data and metadata management (GIT, JupyterLab, RDMkit, etc.) will be recommended.
Standardised metadata framework: including publication, author, title, date of publication, publication venue, project name, acronym and number, licensing terms, persistent identifiers for the publication, and the authors involved.
Fellows must develop their Data Management Plans (DMPs) within 6 months of starting research projects. Templates for the DMP (Funding and Tenders portal of the EC) will be used. In the DMPs, fellows need to describe how they will 1) make data findable; 2) make data accessible; 3) make data interoperable; 4) increase data re-use and 5) how they will ensure data storage, protection and curation. They will also detail what kind of research data their project will generate, specify what research data will be open and which will be opt-out (with justification), whether and how it will be exploited or made accessible for verification and re-use. DMPs will be part of the progress reports submitted to the Steering Committee (SC) and therefore will be reviewed every 6 months.
Quality, novelty and pertinence of the research training programme
Overview and content structure of the postdoctoral training programme
In order to develop the skills of new generations of scientists and meet the industry and research organisations’ needs, an ambitious combination of core and advanced research skills and transferable skills training will be offered aiming at career development and a mutual transfer of knowledge between fellows and their host institutions. The training programme will consist of:

Core and advanced research skills: The corresponding supervisor (from the Implementing partner) and co- supervisor (from the Associated partner) will define the requirements together with the fellow. Development in advanced research skills within the MERIT fellows’ discipline/s and of core research skills beyond the fellows’ discipline/s will be ensured.
Transferable skills: Will be offered as joint training sessions to all MERIT fellows and will provide international networking and interdisciplinary experience to them. Sessions will be organised by SIC (by the Career Development Manager) and provided by the subcontractors/experts of SIC or Implementing/Associated partners. SIC will require the mandatory participation of fellows during their fellowship in at least 4 training sessions in transferable skills (minimum 32 hours) from the list in Table 10, with the Open Access course being mandatory. The wide range of transferable skills will be mainly oriented on innovation, commercialisation and technology transfer and reflect the most current trends, such as citizen science, crowdfunding as one way to finance a research project, an emphasis on communication, entrepreneurial spirit and even co-creation or maker culture, which include digital fabrication, critical thinking and rapid prototyping. One of the transferable skills training sessions will focus on how to include the gender dimension in individual research projects in different disciplines (especially from technical and life sciences, which are relevant for MERIT).
In addition, all fellows will attend mandatory security training (see part B2, 4. Ethics).
The MERIT training programme is based on the Researcher Development Framework (RDF) and its 4 domains of development (Knowledge and intellectual abilities, Personal effectiveness, Research governance and organisation, Engagement, influence and impact). This tool is already used by supervisors from the Implementing partners that recommended it as an example of best practice. The training programme boosts the principles of interdisciplinarity, international networking and mainly intersectorality, encouraging the application of research results.
Table 10: Career development programme for fellows
Core and advanced research skills	Format / time	
Advanced research skills within the researchers’ own disciplines. Example (from Biotechnology): Heterologous protein expression and their in vitro biochemical, biophysical and structural characterisation.	training through research (fellowships and secondments)	
Core research skills beyond the researchers’ own disciplines by meeting and working with other research teams from various departments/labs at Implementing/Associated partners. Example (from Energy): Contribution to the development of advanced mathematical models.		
Transferable skills: Title / description of training outcomes	Format / time	
Open Science/Open Access: What are Open Science elements (Open Source, Open Methodology, Open Data etc.). How to ensure Open Access to scientific publications and research data in Horizon Europe, FAIR data management.	mandatory
seminar 8 hrs	
MSCA Green Charter: How to include green deal principles in research (reduce, reuse and recycle, use less paper, green purchasing for project-related materials, sustainability of project events, etc.).	workshop 8 hrs	
Gender dimension in research: How to include the gender dimension and other intersectional categories (such as age, ethnicity, etc.) in individual research projects in different disciplines.	seminar 8 hrs + consultations	
Leadership skills: Adopting problem-solving, leadership, critical-thinking and interpersonal skills.	workshop 8 hrs	
Public engagement/Citizen Science: Adopting basic Citizen Science skills. Importance and channels; presentation skills, dealing with nervousness, unexpected questions, rehearsing, etc.	workshop 8 hrs	
Citizen Science workshop: Adopting co-creation and design thinking skills for innovation and rapid prototyping (human-centred Maker method aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals). Analysis and prioritisation of key problems in the region according to the national strategic agenda. Development of functional prototype solutions according to local technological infrastructure.	3-day workshop in local high school	
IPR Management and Patenting: Learning about the legislative framework in the Czech Republic and Europe, principles of the Code of Practice annexed to the Commission. Management of IP in knowledge transfer activities.	workshop 8 hrs	
Funding opportunities/Grant writing: How to write a successful application in EU/national funding programmes (based on an expression of the fellows’ interest). Adopting basic project management in research.	workshop 8 hrs	
Crowdfunding: How to crowdfund scientific research, how to find the right platforms, investors, including preparing an elevator pitch for investors.	workshop 8 hrs	
Exploitation of research results: How to exploit research results with an emphasis on applied research and commercialisation (market validation, product or service commercialisation, patent licensing, contractual and collaborative research, spin-offs, etc.), national and European legislation.	workshop 8 hrs	
Spin-offs: How to create academic spin-offs, legislative framework, administrative and mental barriers and how to overcome them.	workshop	in local spin-off	
Entrepreneurial/Communication skills: Adopting skills to effectively present research results to partners from the business sector (elevator pitch, business language); how to find an appropriate business partner.	workshop 8 hrs	
In addition to the sessions mentioned above, the fellows will attend and actively participate in many network-wide training events or conferences taking place in different countries all over the world and covering all MERIT application areas. The table below shows examples of them. All the events are regularly attended, organised or co- organised by the Beneficiary or MERIT Implementing/Associated partners.
Table 11: Main Network-Wide Training Events and Conferences and Contribution of the Beneficiary/ Partners

Main Training Events & Conferences	Lead Institution	Acton Month (estimated)	
EMBO Symposium Microtubules: from atoms to complex systems 		EMBL Heidelberg, Germany	6/2024, 26	
ASMS Conference, Houston, TX, U.S.A. 		American Society for Mass Spectrometry, USA	6/2024, 25, 26	
Fibroblast Growth Factors in Development and Disease	Gordon Research Conference	5/2025	
EORTC-NCI-AACR, International symposium on molecular targets and cancer therapeutics	European   Organisation   for   Research   and Treatment of Cancer	10/2024	
SPIE	(Society    of    Photographic	Instrumentation	Engineers) conferences	Society	of	Photographic	Instrumentation Engineers, USA	1/2024,25,
26	
ELI Summer School. Annual event for high school students to provide young scientists with a comprehensive overview of the generation and application of intense laser pulses	ELI Beamlines (of the Implementing partners), Czech Republic	8/2024, 25, 26	
Industrial Laser Applications Symposium (ILAS)	Association of Industrial Laser Users	2024	
Advanced Solid State Lasers conference	OPTICA, USA	10/2024	
International School & Symposium for Space Simulations	Uni Kobe, Japan	2025	
General Assembly of International Astronomical Union	International Astronomical Union	8/2025	
CISBAT Lausanne	EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland	9/2024	
International Building Physics Conference (IBPC)	Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada	5/2024	
FABx Conference FAB2024. Held under the auspices of The Fab Foundation (founded at MIT)	Network of FabLabs in the Czech Republic, co- organised by SIC	5/2024	
International Cartographic Conference (ICC)	International Cartographic Association	8/2025	
Role of non-academic sector in the training programme
The training programme was developed guaranteeing the involvement of academic and non-academic employers for skills development. The role of the non-academic sector in the training programme is therefore fundamental. Part of the core and advanced research skills will be developed at the premises of Associated partners, which are represented mostly by SMEs. All transferable skills training sessions will be organised by SIC, which is an NGO with close connection to the regional government and to the private sector (large companies, regional SMEs, incubators, start-ups and spin-offs). Other local non-academic actors will also be involved in the training.
Novelty: In addition to the career development in research and transferable skills, fellows will also benefit from individual coaching in three potential key areas of development (see 1.4.1 for more details). Coaching will be provided by experienced counsellors, mentors, coaches and experts coming from industry who have already worked closely with SIC through other existing programs. SIC will carefully choose the appropriate coaches for the fellows based on personal meetings with the fellows, after identifying their specific needs.
Quality,  novelty  and  pertinence  of  the  supervision,  career  guidance  and  career  development arrangements
Supervision arrangements
Supervision arrangements in MERIT are designed as joint initiatives. Each fellow will have one primary supervisor appointed by the Implementing partner and one co-supervisor appointed by the Associated partner (for the secondment). The profiles of the supervisors and co-supervisors will be presented on the MERIT website. The co-supervisors for the secondment will be identified by the start of the secondment and named in the secondment agreement between the Implementing and Associated partners.
The core role of the supervisors in all partner organisations will be to closely cooperate with the fellow on his/her research project during the fellowship, in line with the MSCA Guidelines on Supervision. The supervisor will be in close contact with the fellow, working together to develop the research project and to ensure the adequate progress of the research tasks and plan. These tasks will require intensive communication not only in the fellow-supervisor relationship, but also between the fellow and other research group members, and staff from other organisations and institutions, whether academic or non-academic. The supervisor will also help the fellow with networking and getting new contacts among researchers and commercial users in a given field. The supervisor will assist with publications, monitor and guide him/her through the process of professional and personal development. The supervisor will be the mentor and the scientific leader of the fellow and will help the fellow to develop his/her core and advanced research skills.
Novelty: While fellow researchers will get scientific supervision from their supervisors at Implementing and Associated partners, the Programme will offer, to all fellows, mentoring/coaching in three potential key areas of development (see below) provided by experienced counsellors, mentors, coaches and experts.
Life coaching for researchers designed to support researchers to achieve their personal potential, especially to balance mental health and overcome academic challenges, focused on time and stress management.
Leadership/career mentoring/coaching for those who want to focus on leadership skills and/or become principal investigators (how to create a good working team, how to finance their own research project, how to become a future mentor/coach, etc.).

Business mentoring/coaching for those who want to create their own business or commercialise their research results (using several tools, such as Innovation Due Diligence®, good practice adopted by SIC from the Luleå University of Technology in Sweden, one of the Associated partners of MERIT).
Supervisors, co-supervisors and mentors/coaches will form a Supervisory Board and will meet annually to share the progress of the research projects before submitting the progress reports to the Steering Committee (SC). Additionally, the Supervisory Board will be invited to MERIT dissemination and communication events (see 2.3). Career Development Plan (CDP): The CDP will be designed at the beginning of the fellowship jointly by the fellow and his/her supervisor/co-supervisor and supported where possible by the mentors/coaches. Based on the good practice, SIC will recommend to follow the Researcher Development Framework to all supervisors. The tool contains 4 basic domains of career and personal development of researchers. The CDP will be discussed between fellows and their supervisors every 6 months (and updated if necessary). SIC will provide a CDP template on the MERIT website. The CDP will include career development in research and transferable skills (seminars and workshops), secondments, dissemination and communication plans, international networking events, research and innovation projects, research methodology and outputs, etc.
Progress report: The fellows together with the supervisors will be required to submit a progress report to the SC every 6 months. Such a report will combine the progress and the final results of the reviewed CDP (including the Dissemination and Communication Plan) and the corresponding Data Management Plan. The SC will approve the progress and achievement of objectives and give feedback and recommendations to the fellow and his/her supervisors.
Qualifications and supervision experience of supervisors
38 current supervisors (of mixed gender) from Implementing partners, have expressed their interest in becoming MERIT supervisors within application areas set up by the Programme. All of them have excellent scientific profiles in their relevant disciplines, are senior researchers with significant results, an h-index up to 65, their own patents, foreign study/research/teaching experience, substantial experience in tutoring and mentoring postdocs (including MSCA-IF), and are prolific authors in their area of specialisation in high impact journals. In addition, more than 90 professionals from Associated partners, including experts, successful managers with scientific backgrounds from the business sector and professors from renowned international universities, have expressed their interest in becoming potential co-supervisors of the Programme. Several supervisors and co-supervisors are listed in the table below (for the complete list of supervisors and co-supervisors see part B2, 5 – Partner Organisations).
SIC will also offer non-compulsory training for all supervisors before the commencement of the fellowships, addressing the following topics: conflict resolution, leadership, critical thinking and interpersonal skills.
Table 12: Examples of MERIT supervisors and co-supervisors (not exhaustive)

Biotechnology Biomedicine	Gabriela Pavlinkova, Ph.D. (f), Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics at the Institute of Biotechnology, Expert Evaluator of calls FP7 and H2020 (h-index 24, 52 publications)	
	Veronika Obšilová, Ph.D. (f), Head of Laboratory of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins at the Institute of Physiology (h-index 23, 53 publications)	
	Prof. Frantisek Turecek, Ph.D. (m), Klaus and Mary Ann Saegebarth Endowed Professor of Chemistry Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, USA (h-index 65, more than 26k citations)	
Laser technologies	Prof. Nadezhda M. Bulgakova (f), Head of Department of Scientific Laser Application at HiLASE (h-index 33, more than 180 journal papers, 2 patents)	
	Prof. Sergei V. Bulanov, Ph.D. (m), Head of Department of Radiation Physics and Electron Acceleration at ELI Beamlines (h-index 62, 577 publications, Awards of the Japan Laser Society for contribution to the laser physics)	
Space technologies	Miroslav Bárta, Ph.D. (m), Head of Solar Physics Dpt. at the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (h-index 21, 68 publications, PI of ESO ALMA Development Study - Solar Research with ALMA)	
	Prof. Vladimír Karas, Ph.D. (m), Relativistic astrophysics at the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (h-index 38, 179 publications)	
Sustainable energy/ Materials	Zuzana Antošová, Ph.D. (f), Institute of Thermomechanics (h-index 7, 23 publication, 88 citations)	
	Prof.  Jan Tywoniak,  Ph.D.  (m),  Professor  at  the Czech  Technical  University in  Prague,  Senior  researcher  in Hygrothermal Laboratory at University Centre of Energy Efficient Buildings (h-index 9, 49 papers, 4 patents)	
Digitalisation/ AI	Prof. Dr. Michal Pěchouček, MSC. (m), Head of the AI Centre at the Czech Technical University, R&D of AI & cybersecurity, venture building and investing, CTO at Avast Software (h-index 38, 420 publications, 4 teaching activities)	
	Assoc. Prof Petra Simova, Ph.D. (f), Head of the Department of Spatial Sciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences (h-index 15, 31 publications)	
Enhancement on potential and future career perspectives of selected researchers
The MERIT Programme will enhance the employability of the recruited researchers through the following activities:
Mentoring/Coaching: Mentoring/coaching is described in 1.4.1. There can be huge benefits to mentoring or coaching for researchers, such as increased motivation, productivity and performance, improved interpersonal relationships, communication and networks, more awareness of personal impact, a clearer idea of their career path or goals, and easier integration into a new role, institution, culture, or country. Moreover, the fellows mentored or coached will adopt the skills needed to become future mentors/coaches themselves.

Shared database of selected researchers and other candidates’ CVs: Both categories, the fellows selected by the Programme and the candidates who have applied for fellowships and not have been selected (but have a competitive CV) will be asked for approval (in line with GDPR) if their CVs can be integrated in the database created and managed by SIC. Given the interest to reach a success rate of less than 30% of candidates, this database could contain up to 100 researchers following the 2 Calls of the Programme. With all researcher’s prior permission, SIC will share this database with Implementing and Associated partners or other relevant regional stakeholders and potential employers who can offer permanent jobs or other career opportunities to the researchers within or outside the Programme.
Events such as the MERIT Innovation Days intended to find private investors, commercial partners or other types of funding for the fellows’ research projects (to ensure the continuation of funding). These events will be organised 2- 3 times during fellowships. Fellows will prepare pitch presentations about their research projects (pitch presentations are one of the offered training sessions in transferable skills). After each pitch, a jury (composed of the members of the Steering committee of the Programme) will inquire about the next steps and the fellows' actual needs related to their research projects or future career plans. The event will be attended by a large audience composed of local and international investors, SMEs or big companies, grant providers, public organisations, and NGOs.
Assistance for fellows who will seek to find a permanent position in the Region (using the website  researchjobs.cz of current vacancies and partner networks of key employers in the Region) or for fellows who are interested in creating their own start-ups, spin-offs.
Research projects generated from MERIT, which include industrial collaboration, can be potentially supported by regional funding programmes (current or future), administered by SIC (see section 0 – General description of the Programme).
Impact
Strengthening human resources good practices at institutional, regional, national or international level, in particular through aligning the practices of participating organisations with the principles set out by the EU for human resources development in research and innovation
Impact of the proposed programme on strengthening research human resources at the institutional, regional, national or international level
Institutional level:
Up to 30 new collaborations between researchers and business partners will be established through secondments in companies and networking/communication/dissemination events. This will lead to a higher competitiveness and innovativeness of the institutions involved in MERIT, especially regional research organisations and SMEs (research organisations with close connection to the private sector are more competitive; business products and services developed in collaboration with the academic sector are more innovative).
Around 15 new international partnerships between Implementing partners and those Associated partners located abroad will be established through secondments abroad.
The Implementing/Associated partners will escalate their international openness and cooperation, attracting more and more talented researchers from abroad even beyond the Programme. MERIT will expose their unique top-class research infrastructure and show exceptional results in applied research.
MERIT will help the Implementing/Associated partners or other regional key employers recruit talented international researchers, including Czech researchers with international experience (see Table 3 – Reintegration Panel), two categories of researchers identified in RIS3 of the Central Bohemia as an essential need, not only the selected ones, but potentially other MERIT candidates, especially through the tool of shared database as described in 1.4.1.2.
Since MERIT is a postdoctoral programme, the mutual transfer of knowledge between the fellows and researchers or managers from the Implementing/Associated partners is expected. Engagement in MERIT will therefore also be beneficial for the personal and professional development of supervisors from the Implementing/Associated partners, through their cooperation with postdoctoral researchers with international experience. Supervisors will also be offered training oriented on conflict resolution, leadership, critical thinking and interpersonal skills (see 1.3.1).
The engagement of 15 research organisations as Implementing partners will contribute to the implementation of principles set out by the EU for human resources. For example, the Programme will significantly strengthen gender equality and diversity in their workplaces (commitment of SIC to support them to implement the Gender Equality Plans - see 2.1.2). Participation in MERIT will also help them integrate the gender dimension in their research at the institutional level as common practice. This will lead to their higher participation in Horizon Europe (by 30% from the current status) and increase their potential success in it.
Regional level:

MERIT will solve the main challenges defined in all three key areas of change of the regional RIS3: 1) Lack of talented people with international experience in regional research organisations by recruiting 30 postdoctoral researchers from all over the world. 2) Fragmented innovation ecosystem and lack of cooperation between academia and industry through secondments, networking events, dissemination and exploitation activities. 3) Not using the full potential of the Region's research capacities by regional stakeholders by the participation of regional SMEs in MERIT as Associated partners and by the engagement of the regional government, municipalities and even citizens in the Programme.
MERIT will be a completely new programme for the Central Bohemia Region, which has never benefited from the MSCA-COFUND. Therefore, the implementation of a COFUND programme will significantly increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Region and will have a direct effect on at least 15 regional key research organisations. 30 new research projects will push the boundaries of the most promising technologies for the future and will generate interesting results from which all regional stakeholders will benefit. Moreover, the Region will offer career opportunities for the fellows to stay longer or permanently after their fellowships. This will enable research organisations or companies located in the Region to get new talented and highly-skilled people and for fellows to develop their projects or test/prove the applicability of their projects in different spheres.
MERIT will produce a synergistic effect with regional financial instruments, programmes and policies already in place, such as the regional RIS3 (see Figure 3), the INO:EX programme, Creative vouchers, Counselling programme for research organisations or the regional Welcome Office for incoming researchers (see section 0 – General description of the Programme).
The implementation of MERIT will reinforce the intersectoral cooperation of key stakeholders at regional level. In addition, there is a commitment of the regional government and the Implementing partners to provide financial contribution to implement MERIT.
National level:
MERIT will help achieve the goals to increase the international openness of the Czech research environments, and enhance cooperation between public research and the application sector, set in the national RIS3. In addition, MERIT is in line with key trends listed in the Innovation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2019–2030 (artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, space and laser technologies, biotechnology, energy and their applications).
Following Horizon Europe’s equal opportunities rules, MERIT is committed to promote gender equality in research and motivate female researchers to become group leaders. The Programme will encourage and motivate female students in high schools to choose a research career (see communication activities in Table
14) and female researchers to apply for prestigious grants (e.g., through training sessions such as Leadership skills). It is particularly important to raise and promote this topic in the Czech Republic where women in research are still underrepresented compared to other EU countries (in 2018 only 14.9% of women represented decision- making positions in research8).
MERIT will enhance the research capacities of the Czech Republic. Out of 14 Czech regions, Central Bohemia has the 3rd highest number of researchers and together with Prague creates 50% of the research capacity of the whole country (Regional RIS3, p. 36)9. The implementation of the Programme, which intends to invite up to 30 postdoctoral researchers, will therefore increase research capacities on the national level.
MERIT will promote the higher participation of Czech researchers and Czech research organisations in MSCA and other international mobility programmes. MERIT will place the Central Bohemia Region in a leading position in the Czech Republic in terms of research excellence in a moment when the country aspires to be one of the EU’s leaders in terms of the number and quality of its research centres and research infrastructures.
European and international level:
MERIT will strengthen the European and global human capital base in research and innovation and contribute to a stronger European Research Area where knowledge, technology and researchers circulate freely because some of the Implementing partners are included in the ESFRI Roadmap as large research infrastructures participating in the most important European and global research facilities and projects (ELI Beamlines, ALMA,  Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Jules Horowitz Reactor, European Solar Telescope, etc.) and are members of important European alliances (such as EERA).
The MSCA Green Charter will be followed and promoted. Long fellowships (up to 30 months) are planned. The Programme will combine physical and virtual mobility and the use of low emission forms of transport will be recommended to all participants. Oral interviews and some training sessions will be held online.

8 Source: The Position of Women in Czech Science - Monitoring Report 2018, p. 35
9 In 2020, 3968 researchers were affiliated in research organisations in the Region (source: Czech Statistical Office)

Committee meetings including international participants will be held online to the maximum extent possible (and to contribute to the reduction of the CO² emissions footprint). The outputs such as the MERIT website, multi-media outputs, etc., will be maintained several years after the end of the Programme in order to contribute to the sustainability of the Programme. Fellows will be encouraged (through dedicated training, see Table 10) to use green project-related materials, ensure the sustainability of their results, include awareness on environmental sustainability in their communication activities, etc. in order to adopt these practices for their further research path.
Open Science principles will be reinforced by dedicated training and workshops, going even to the level of Citizen Science practices (see 1.2.3).
The Programme will produce a multiplier effect by increasing the value of European money invested into regional centres within ESIF. The Region benefited from ERDF funding in research infrastructures and its equipment accounting for more than €658 million in the last two programming periods (2007-2020). These investments have significantly enhanced the Region’s research capacities and undoubtedly placed it on the research map of Europe. Several MERIT partners are centres of excellence or regional R&D centres supported by ERDF in past programming periods. The Implementing and Associated partners of MERIT will also benefit from ESIF within the forthcoming programming period 2021-2027, as well as from the National Recovery Plan Package, where substantial money is dedicated to research & development.
Participation in HE-MSCA-COFUND will contribute to fully exploit the potential of Europe’s talent pool, since the Czech Republic, belonging to so-called widening countries, faced low participation rates in previous framework programmes.
MERIT will reinforce Czech research organisations’ internationalisation, openness and visibility at the European and global level. The Programme will help them become key actors and partners in other European and international socio-economic ecosystems and strengthen their international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaborative networks.
Contribution of the Programme to the implementation of principles set out by the EU for the human resources development in R&I at the participating organisations
SIC and MERIT partners are aware of the importance of the EU Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), and especially the HR Excellence in Research Award and Gender Equality Plans (GEPs). SIC has encouraged regional research organisations to get involved in the process of obtaining the HR Award since 2018 (e.g., holding seminars to promote this quality label and funding opportunities from ESIF). At present, 10 out of 15 Implementing partners in MERIT are proud holders of the HR Excellence in Research Award: the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 2 institutes of the Czech Technical University in Prague, the National Institute of Mental Health and 6 institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences: ELI Beamlines and HiLASE of the Institute of Physics, the Institute of Physiology, the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, the Institute of Thermomechanics and the Institute of Botany.
Since one of the biggest challenges of the Central Bohemia Region is a gender imbalance among researchers in regional research organisations, one of the objectives set up by MERIT is to advocate for the stronger representation of female scientists in technical and life sciences. To reach this objective, SIC is committed to support all Implementing partners to successfully implement GEPs. For this purpose, SIC has launched a special counselling program designed for research organisations (in place since 2021). Experts of this program have been providing mentoring to the managers/HR managers of research organisations and guiding them through the process of the implementation and subsequent monitoring/evaluation of GEPs. Out of 15 Implementing partners, 6 have already adopted GEPs and the rest of them are in the middle of the process. A survey in the hosting institutions will be carried out at the start (M6.1) and at the end (M6.2) of the MERIT implementation to assess the impact of GEPs (not only to assess the number of female researchers and women in leadership positions, but also institutional culture with regard to gender issues). This will lead to a Report on the impact of GEPs as a deliverable (D6.1). SIC also established a special Equality and Diversity Committee for MERIT. One of the roles of this committee will be to prevent gender bias within call documents and procedures and encourage female researchers to participate in the Programme (a representative of the Czech support infrastructure in Gender & Science is part of this committee). SIC will also promote the importance of women in science within dissemination actions of the calls and other communication activities (see 2.3). The MERIT has set the following two goals in this regard to be achieved by the end of Programme duration:
GEPs will be successfully implemented in 15 technical and life sciences-oriented research institutions (all the Implementing partners)
The expected increase of female researchers and women in leadership positions at these 15 employers is at least by 15%.

Credibility  of  the  proposed  measures  to  enhance  the  career  perspectives  and  employability  of researchers and contribution to their skills development
Impact of the research and training on the fellows' careers
The training and acquisition of new skills by MERIT fellows will have the general goal of cultivating talents, helping the researchers to reach maturity and preparing the next scientific leaders to tackle global challenges imperative to both Europe and the world. But also, to bring an immediate multiplier effect, since fellows will be able to share the acquired knowledge and skills with different audiences: other researchers/colleagues (e.g., lecturing/presenting at conferences), students (e.g., secondments or holding seminars in high schools), business partners, regional government representatives, etc.
The fellows will be able to carry out their research projects in progressive research organisations while exploring technologies with the biggest potential for the future (see Figure 3). All Implementing partners have proven exceptional research results at the national, European, and global levels, e.g., the development of the promising breast cancer treatment MitoTam, the treatment of Huntington's disease, new antibiotics and infertility treatment (BIOCEV), the development of a device which turns an arid desert into a green landscape called S.A.W.E.R. and the micro power plant called WAVE (University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings), the development of a small-scale nuclear reactor (Řež Research Centre) or even leading global projects such as ALMA, the largest astronomical project (Astronomical Institute). By joining their teams, fellows will be able to build their own international networks for future career opportunities.
The experience of the fellowship within MERIT will enable the researchers to become more competitive and independent in future career steps, for example create their own research groups, become research group leaders and apply for national/European or international grants (such as ERC grants). What is more, fellows will increase their attractiveness to international forerunner employers, such as the Fraunhofer Institutes, the European Southern Observatory or the European Space Agency (thanks to close cooperation between them and some Implementing partners). In addition, the Region also offers numerous job opportunities and it is desired that fellows will settle in the Region where they may be offered a permanent position in academia (15 Implementing partners frequently looking for permanent positions suitable for international postdoctoral researchers) or in the industry (Associated partners based in the Region or other potential private employers mentioned in 1.2.1).
Fellows will adopt an “entrepreneurial” mindset and get a set of skills to create their own companies (start- ups or spin-offs). MERIT is strongly oriented on applied research and technology transfers. This approach, in conjunction with appropriate training courses, will train researchers how to co-create with the potential user and adjust to a business environment, which includes understanding business timing and language - often the primary barriers between the science and business worlds. Thanks to the training courses oriented on co-creativity and Design Thinking, the fellows will develop an innovative growth mindset and a set of skills to create their own companies.
Fellows will enhance networking and communication capacities with scientific peers, as well as the general public and the private sector. SIC will organise networking events for fellows to meet representatives of industry, municipalities, the general public, schools, etc., giving them the opportunity to improve their communication skills necessary to present their own research projects to various target groups.
Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination and exploitation plan, including communication activities
Plan for the dissemination and exploitation activities, including communication activities
At the individual level: Fellows will develop their own Dissemination and Communication Plans (DCP) as part of their Career Development Plans. They will be delivered by the end of the Programme as a Plan for the dissemination and exploitation of results, including communication activities (D4.2 and D4.5). Since MERIT is strongly focused on applied research it is expected that fellows’ research project results will be disseminated and exploited by various stakeholders and the projects will have an impact in the private and/or the public sector. The DCPs will be updated and will be part of the progress reports. Therefore, the DCP will be reviewed every 6 months by the Steering Committee (SC), considering any factor that could affect the exploitation and dissemination path. For every innovation result generated within the projects, the fellows, their supervisors and members of the SC will jointly decide whether it is suitable for protection or if it can be disseminated to increase the project’s impact.
Dissemination/exploitation: All fellows are expected to disseminate their research results in at least 1-2 scientific high-level publications during the whole period of the fellowship (depending on the field and duration of the fellowship) and in at least 2 professional events per year (from Table 13).
Communication: Fellows will take part in at least 2 communication activities/events per year (from Table 14) in order to communicate their research projects to the general public. The list of such events is publicly available in the publication issued by SIC Central Bohemia Region Success stories which will be shared with fellows. Fellows will be offered training in public engagement. Special attention will be dedicated to women students

in order to raise their interest to pursue research careers, especially in natural sciences and technical disciplines. For this purpose, female fellows in particular will be encouraged to visit high schools (as part of communication activities or as part of secondments) to become ambassadors of women in science.
At the Programme level: At the beginning of the implementation, SIC will develop a practical Handbook for the MERIT fellows which will contain a general framework for the dissemination, exploitation and communication activities and Open Science policy. The Handbook will also contain comprehensive dissemination and communication guidelines for promoting the MERIT programme and its research results, but also MSCA-COFUND as such, designed by SIC and supported by SIC partners from the creative industry (graphic designers, software developers, advertising, marketing, film and TV, etc.). Multiple target audiences will be reached, the public and private sector, schools and women/girls by using different tools (see Table 14). The guidelines will comprise a common visual identity, a time schedule for the implementation of the individual tools, and key performance indicators. The activities will be implemented by SIC, partner organisations and the fellows. The fellows will be supported by their supervisors, PR staff at the partner organisations, as well as by SIC.
Exploitation: Up to four years after the end of the action, the Implementing partners who will recruit fellows and the fellows themselves will use their best efforts to exploit the results generated within MERIT directly or to have them exploited indirectly by another entity, in particular through transfers or licensing. If, despite their best efforts, the results are not exploited within one year after the end of the action, they must use the Horizon Results Platform to find interested parties to exploit the results.
Table 13: Plans and procedures for dissemination and exploitation towards different target audiences
Target groups	Measures	KPIs per programme	

Research community	Regional, national, international conferences related to relevant research disciplines (current events)	min. of 100 conferences	
	Research articles and publications, Open Research Data (Open Access)	min. of 45 accepted peer reviewed publications, 30 different subjects in re3data where data will be deposited	
	Dissemination during international or interdisciplinary secondments (14 Associated partners from academia, mostly located in other country than the Czech Republic)	14 secondments expected	

Industries, commercial actors	Market  validation,  product  or  service  commercialisation  licencing  & patenting	min.	of	30	validations,	30	new collaborations, 5 patent applications	
	Funding through regional or national (Technology Agency of the Czech Republic) schemes	min. of 5 research projects funded from regional or national schemes	
	Speed dating events, hackathons with  the participation of companies, organised by SIC (current events)	min. of 5 speed datings or hackathons, min. of 30 new partnerships	
	Business breakfasts, round tables, trade fairs and industry days organised by partners (current events)	min. of 20 events	
	Secondments in the industry (19 Associated partners from industry)	19 secondments expected	
Policy makers, including the Region and municipalities	Presentations of research results to regional authorities and municipalities facilitated by SIC (current events)	min. of 10 meetings, 30 new partnerships, feedback from 5 policy makers	
	Presentations  of  research  results  to  Local  Action  Groups  and  NGOs facilitated by SIC (current events)	min. of 10 meetings	

All target groups	MERIT Innovation Days (2 days of series of intersectoral/interdisciplinary/international meetings, seminars, conferences, thematic innovation platforms for different target audiences) organised by SIC (new events)	min of 4 days of events, min. of 400 stakeholders reached from different sectors (academic, private, public), their feedback, 30 new collaborations	
Table 14: Plans and procedures for communication towards different target audiences
Target groups	Measures	KPIs per programme	

General public including families with children, seniors	European Researchers’ Night, National Researchers’ Night, Czech science festivals   Week of Science and Technology, the largest annual events in innovation: The  Innovation week and Future port Prague.	min. of 25 events, 15 institutions involved, 30 fellows involved	
	Open days, Open Doors, excursions and guided tours, public visit of the fellow’s host institution, other societal engagement, communication and science popularisation for the general public, schools and families such as Science Coffee (current events).	min.  of  60  events,  min.  of  20 events with fellows’ participation	
	Press releases, articles on the websites of SIC, the partners, the Czech Academy of Sciences, the MERIT website and existing general public communication platforms such as “Innovation in the heart” (for Central Bohemia R&D). Social media posts on FB, LinkedIN, YouTube.	min. of 100 press releases, 200 media posts, 50 different websites and social media accounts to be tackled	
	Multimedia outputs - videos, podcasts, interviews related to fellows’ projects and life in the Czech Republic distributed through social media (Facebook, LinkedIN, YouTube)	min.   of   30   new   multimedia outputs	
	Secondments in high schools (3 Associated partners are local high schools)	3 secondments expected	

Schools, students	Excursions and guided tours, students visit to the research organisations e.g., LASER DAYs for schools organised by HiLASE and ELI Beamlines (current events)	min. of 50 visits, 1.500 students reached	
	Competitions  for  students  organised  by  some  Implementing  partners  (e.g.,  ELI Beamlines Talent Academy or Science Trek of the Institute of Botany) (current events)	min. of 40 events, expected 5.000 participants	
	Scientists go to schools (current events within several Implementing partners)	min. of 10 fellows involved	
	Interactive and itinerant VR exhibition presenting research results to schools (current event carried out by SIC since 2020)	min. of 5 Implementing partners involved, 10 new schools reached	

Women/ female students	Engagement of partners and fellows in the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February (promoted in the Czech Republic by the Academy of Sciences).	15	institutions fellows involved	involved,	30	
	Visits in schools - female fellows’ testimonies for Czech female students to encourage them in their scientific career path and for other female researchers to encourage them to apply for prestigious grants	min.  of  10  visits,  300  students reached	
	Promotion of grants and conferences focused on women scientists such as L’Oréal- UNESCO For Women in Science Programme	min. of 3 events	
All	Citizen Science practices (see 1.2.1.3)	min. of 5 events, expected min. of
1.000 citizens involved	
Strategy for the management of intellectual property, foreseen protection measures
General IPR issues will be managed in the Bilateral Agreements which will be concluded between the Beneficiary and the partners before the start of the implementation and the signature of the Grant Agreement. The standard EU IPR conditions will be used. Below is an extract of the most important ones.
IPR Ownership: Each Implementing partner remains the sole owner of its IPR over its background. Since fellows will be employed by Czech research organisations, the research results created by them during the fellowship will be owned by the Implementing partners (as according to Czech legislation). IPR will be also included in the work contract between the fellows and the Implementing partners hosting them. In the case of research results generated during secondments in the premises of Associated partners, compatible solutions (e.g., transfers, joint ownership) will be negotiated beforehand in secondment agreements between the Implementing and Associated partners. SIC will indicate the owners of the results generated within MERIT (results ownership list) in the Final report (D1.4).
Access Rights to Background and Results IPR: Each Implementing/Associated partner shall make its background and results available on a royalty-free basis to other project partners to the extent that this background and these results are needed for the execution of their work within the project, unless access to the background is subject to legal restrictions or limits. The background and results shall be made available to the other project partners for exploitation purposes (if it is needed to use their own results) under fair and reasonable conditions. If possibilities to commercialise or exploit the results arise, all the partners for whom intellectual property is concerned will be contacted and will be involved in the negotiations. The MERIT Steering Committee will monitor the progress of the fellows’ projects every 6 months and, jointly with the fellows and their supervisors, will decide which research results are suitable for protection (if protection is possible and justified) or exploitation.
The fellows will benefit from support and highly professional assistance related to IPR from institutional technology transfer officers, lawyers and the supervisors, who will assist the fellows to protect the research results suitable for protection (recommendations on which type of IP is suitable, how to proceed for patent application, etc.). All Implementing partners have their own institutional Technology Transfer Offices or joint Technology Transfer Centres (such as the Czech Academy of Sciences). In addition, SIC will prepare a Handbook, which will contain practical information, the legal framework and guidelines related to IPRs and this will be shared with all MERIT fellows, along with dedicated training in IPR management as part of the transferable skills training.
Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation
Quality  and  effectiveness  of  the  work  plan,  management,  structures,  assessment  of  risks  and appropriateness of the effort assigned to work packages

Figure 6: Gantt chart – Programme Timeline

30 fellowships offered	2023	2024	2025	
	
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb.
Mar.

Apr.	
May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct.
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb.
Mar.	
Apr.
May Jun.	
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10       11       12	13       14       15        16	17       18       19       20	21    22       23	24       25       26       27	28       29	30	
1st call (15 fellowships)						call	selection	relocation	Fellowships 1st call: training, research project, secondment	
2nd call (15 fellowships)														call	selection	relocation		
Reserve call (if necessary)																				call	selection	relocation	
WP1	Management		M1												D1.1							D1.2			D1.3						M2	
WP2	Evaluation/Selection		M7			M8				M9			D2.1					M10			D2.2											
WP2	Dissemination/Expl.			M3			D3.1		M4				D3.3		D3.2		M5				D3.4				D3.5,7						
WP4	Training																M11							D4.1	M12						
WP5	Ethics					M13							D5.1								D5.2											
WP6	Diversity		M14																													
	2025	2026	2027	
	
Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.
Apr.	
May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept.
Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.
May Jun. Jul. Aug.
Sept.	
Oct.
Nov. Dec.	
	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56	57	58	59	60	
1st call (15 fellowships)																
2nd call (15 fellowships)	Fellowships 2nd call: training, research project, secondment							
Reserve call (if necessary)	Fellowships reserve call (if applicable): training, research project, secondment	
WP1	Management																														D1.4	
WP2	Evaluation/Selection																															
WP2	Dissemination/Expl.																													D3.6,8/M6	
WP4	Training																														D4.2	
WP5	Ethics																												D5.3			
WP6	Diversity																				M15					D6.1.
D6.2						
Quality and capacity of the host institution(s) and participating organisations
Appropriateness of the infrastructure and capacity of each participating organisation
Figure 7: Management plan scheme

Technical and human resources
The infrastructure, facilities and equipment of the Implementing and Associated partners provide a perfect environment for the development of research projects within the research areas set up by the Programme (as described in 1.2.1). The technical resources available and infrastructure-related facilities at organisations hosting fellows (e.g., the Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, the most multifunctional laser infrastructure of all existing laser facilities, the European ALMA Regional Centre, Testbed for Industry 4.0, experimental research reactors, wind tunnels etc.) are described in detail in part B2 - part 5.
SIC, as the Beneficiary, has established a strong implementation team (Management Board). All members are experienced full-time employees of SIC who will ensure the adequate and smooth implementation of MERIT. SIC also established several committees composed of international experts, including experts in Open Science and gender aspects of R&I, who have committed to contribute with their expertise to the successful implementation of MERIT and they will conclude a work contract with SIC for this purpose.

In the management scheme, the Implementing partners are represented in the Interview Panel (by their directors and HRs), in the Supervisory Board, in support teams for fellows and by the Project Managers appointed by each Implementing partner (their names are listed among key persons of the Implementing partners in part B2, 5 – Partner Organisations). The Associated partners are represented in the Supervisory Board and in support teams for fellows.
The roles and commitments, lengths of fellowships and secondments, financial contribution of the Central Bohemia Region and Implementing partners, cash-flow, as well as the types and amounts of allowances provided to the researchers were agreed upon based on the general consensus between SIC and the Managers/Directors of the Implementing and Associated partners and will be detailed and regulated in the Bilateral Agreements (BA) which will be concluded between SIC and the Implementing and signed before the signature of the Grant Agreement. The CA will also include information about the maximum number of fellows which individual Implementing partners will be able to recruit with regard to their HR and technical capacities.
Support offered to the candidates/researchers during the application/recruitment/implementation by the host/participating organisations
During the application process (see Table 2):
The MERIT online system (including video tutorial on how to apply) will be available. The Helpdesk and email, phone, online consultations will be offered by the members of the Management Board of SIC (contact details will be available on the MERIT website). The MERIT website will include online documents such as the Guide for Applicants and relevant templates: the template for the research proposal, template for secondments, Ethic Issue table and redress template. All applicants will get feedback on the successful submission of their application through the MERIT online system.
Information about conditions of the fellowships, eligibility criteria and mandatory parts will be provided, including FAQ (see Table 2).
Profiles of potential supervisors and co-supervisors will be part of the MERIT website, as well as the virtual presentation of Implementing and Associated partners and information about their institutional environment, infrastructure, equipment and research options (see Table 2).
During the recruitment process (see Table 2):
Communication of results: all applicants will get feedback on the outcomes of the evaluation and reasons for unsuccessful applications. The final results of the selection process will be published on the MERIT website. The applicants recommended for funding will be contacted personally (by email or phone) by the Programme Manager and instructed on how to proceed to commence the fellowship (see Table 2).
An independent redress process will be ensured by the Redress Committee.
Visa, migration and relocation support will be offered by EURAXESS and the Welcome Office of SIC and the Implementing partners (see section 1.1.5.1).
During the fellowships (see sections 1.3 and 2.3):
The MERIT website will include any necessary online documents and templates: Career Development Plan and progress report templates, Open Access guidelines and templates (Horizon Europe Data Management Plan template) and the practical Handbook for the MERIT fellows (developed by SIC) for the purpose of communication and dissemination, Open Science, IP, technology transfers, etc.
Supervisors, HR and PR departments, technology transfer officers and Project Managers from Implementing/Associated partners will be supporting the selected researchers.
Training in research and transferable skills (related to Open Science, IP, the Gender dimension, etc.) and coaching/mentoring will be offered to all the fellows (see 1.3.1 and 1.4.1).
The Programme Manager will communicate on important events relevant for all fellows (international conferences, International Researcher Meetups, other networking or communication/dissemination events).
Fellows will get assistance/support/advice from the Programme Manager and the Ombudsperson of MERIT, which they will be free to contact with regard to any work or personal issues.
Consortium composition and exploitation of participating organisations' complementarities
The consortium includes 15 Implementing partners, represented by 14 academic and 1 non-academic research institutions located in the Czech Republic, and 36 Associated partners identified at the proposal stage. Approx. 61% of the Associated partners represent the non-academic sector (19 partners from the industry and 3 public high schools), while the rest of the Associated partners are academic institutions, but located in other countries.
As the Beneficiary and the coordinator of the Programme, SIC selected the Implementing partners (15 regional research organisations out of 33) having fulfilled the following criteria: 1) They possess top-class infrastructure and equipment and their research programmes comply to at least 1 of the research areas of MERIT; 2) They allocated key persons for MERIT: the Project Manager, members of the support teams (from HR, TTOs etc.) and an adequate number of supervisors (of mixed gender) of high expertise in relevant fields and dedicated to become scientific

mentors of MERIT fellows; 3) They are able to provide multidisciplinary, intersectoral and international mobility
experience for fellows; 4) Their HR policy complies with the EU HR principles.
The Associated partners were invited by SIC or by the Implementing partners themselves, having fulfilled the following criteria: 1) There is a potential for a relevant and feasible secondment (in their premises) in cooperation with some of the Implementing partners; 2) They allocated key persons for MERIT: members of the support teams (from HR etc.) and an adequate number of dedicated supervisors (of mixed gender) of high expertise in relevant fields; 3) Their HR policy complies with the EU HR principles.
SIC will ensure training in transferable skills given its extensive experience with organising this type of training sessions for researchers and promoting important topics, such as Open Sciences, Gender aspects of R&I among regional R&D stakeholders.
The Implementing partners and the majority of Associated partners will ensure the research programme and training in research skills, since they possess state-of-the-art research infrastructures and equipment and will provide experienced supervisors (see 1.4). On the other hand, those Associated partners that do not possess research infrastructures, such as the local high schools, will engage researchers in teaching activities for students from 11 to 19 years old or host the Citizen Science workshops.
Additionally, SIC approached several international and national experts on gender in science and Open Science experts (including experts from some of the Associated partners). Some of them are engaged as members of the Equality and Diversity Committee (see Table 4) who will be part of the evaluation and selection process. Moreover, these experts will lead some of the training sessions for the fellows to develop transferable skills (e.g. Open Science/Open Access, Citizen Science workshop, Public engagement, Gender dimension in research) and briefing in unconscious bias for other experts involved in the evaluation and selection process.
Commitment of the beneficiary and Implementing/Associated partners to the Programme The total budget of the Programme is €5,985,000 which is split among three financial contributors: European Commission: €3,582,000 corresponding to 59.85% of the budget.
SIC: €1,310,400 corresponding to 21.89% of the budget. The amount will be allocated from the regional budget of Central Bohemia based on the approval of the Regional Assembly on 9 December 2021.
Implementing partners: €1,092,600 corresponding to 18.26% of the budget (€1214 person/month). The amount will be allocated from the research organisations’ budgets and based on the approval of each Implementing partner individually.
Table 19: Roles and commitments of the Beneficiary and Implementing/Associated partners
Beneficiary: Central Bohemian Innovation Centre	Programme coordination, management and fulfilment of all WPs
Training in transferable skills, organisations of networking events, meetings etc.
Secondments in the public sector will be possible at the premises of the Beneficiary
Financial contribution of €1,310,400 from the Programme budget	
Implementing partners: 15 research organisations located in the Central Bohemia Region.	Recruiting, supervising, training and hosting fellows
Development of research skills of fellows and contribution to the development of transferable skills
Involved in the dissemination and communication of the Programme and its calls and in the dissemination and communication activities of fellows
Providing  financial  contribution  of  €1214  person/month  in  the  event  of  a  researcher's recruitment (in total €1,092,600 from the Programme budget)	
Associated partners: 36 mostly non-academic partners located in the Czech Republic or abroad10	Training, supervising and hosting fellows without recruiting (for secondments)
Contribution to the development of research and transferable skills of fellows
Involved in the dissemination and communication of the Programme and its calls and in the dissemination and communication activities of fellows
They will not contribute financially.	

10 These Associated partners already joined the project consortium of MERIT. Others can be identified during the Programme implementation

Recruitment monitoring table
Call number	Call timing	Expected number of fellows in place following the call	Expected number of recruitment months Period 1: M1- M24	Expected number of recruitment months
Period 2: M25- M37	Expected number of recruitment months
Period 3: M38- M60	
1	M6	15	120	195	135	
2	M14	15	0	195	255	
TOTAL		30	120	390	390	

Ethics
The MERIT programme sets up the following application areas: Biotechnologies/Biomedicine, Laser technologies, Space technologies, Sustainable energy/Materials and Digitalization/Artificial Intelligence as a cross-cutting area. Based on these areas, the 15 Implementing partners offer numerous research programmes. Fellows will be able to formulate their own research topics based on the research areas and programmes mentioned above. Although not knowing in advance which ethics issues might arise from the selected project proposals, it is possible that some activities can involve human embryos/foetuses, human cells/tissues, personal data, animals, environment & health and safety or artificial intelligence.

To mention just a few examples. From the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, some activities may involve animal mouse models. All experiments using animals will be performed according to protocols approved by the Animal Care and Use Ethics Committee of the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. From the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, some activities may involve animals. For this, commercially available cell lines are propagated and cryopreserved in labelled and designated labware; a database is used to keep track of the cells. Mice are typically obtained from commercial sources, and are housed in a designated animal facility according to the national and institutional legislative. Experiments are carried-out according to protocols approved by the institutional and national authorities. Production and use of GMO cell lines and animals also follows the institutional and national guidelines. From the National Institute of Mental Health, some activities may involve humans or animals. In this case, the clinical research study protocol is approved by the local research ethics committee and all participants will provide a written informed consent. The preclinical research using lab animals is approved and supervised by the Animal Care and Use Committees. Animal care and the experimental procedures are conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the European Community Council directives 86/609/EEC. The Institute possesses NIH Statement of Compliance with Standards for Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals #A5820-01 valid till 1/31/2014.

The Programme will involve treatment with personal data. Candidates’ personal data will be properly protected. A GDPR form will be a compulsory part of candidates’ applications. The Beneficiary and each Implementing partner (recruting reseachers) has a Data Protection Officer or a GDPR specialist who will ensure that the applicants’ personal data will be processed in compliance with the applicable data protection rules.

Actions carried out under MERIT will comply with ethical principles and relevant Union, national and international law, including the Charter and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights, and the Fundamental Freedoms and its Supplementary Protocols.
All research activities performed under the MERIT fellowship programme will comply with the EU legislation on ethics as well as the Czech legislation and rules on ethics in research. In case the research activities are undertaken in another country, the ethical principles and practice of that country will also be ensured. In case the research activity takes place in a country with weak regulation of ethical principles, the ethical principles and practice of the Czech Republic will have to be followed. Projects which do not comply with these principles will not be funded under MERIT.
Compliance with ethical principles at the institutional level
In general, compliance with ethical principles will be part of the Consortium Agreement concluded between the Beneficiary, Implementing and Associated partners. By signing the Consortium Agreement, these partner organisations will assume responsibility for ensuring that the research activities performed under MERIT comply with the EU legislation on ethics as well as Czech legislation and rules on ethics in research and if relevant,

ethical principles and practice of other countries where the research will also be undertaken. The Implementing partners which will recruit researchers will secure all needed ethical approvals from national and/or local committees.
Applicants’ personal data will be properly protected. A GDPR form will be a compulsory part of candidates’ applications. On 12 March 2019, the Czech Republic approved legislation incorporating the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Czech national implementation consists of two acts reflecting both the GDPR and the data protection Directive (EU) 2016/680 for Police and Criminal justice authorities. The first one is the Act on Personal Data Processing (PDPA), replacing the previous data protection legislation from the year 2000. The second is the accompanying act adjusting other 39 related legal acts such as the Criminal Procedure Code, the Anti Money Laundering Act, the Freedom of Information Act and others. The newly adopted acts bring an end to the uncertainty in the area of the data protection in the Czech Republic caused by the lack of implementation legislation.
In order to protect personal data of applicants, the Beneficiary and each Implementing partner (recruiting researchers) has a Data Protection Officer or a GDPR specialist (see their complete list in the Table below) who will ensure that the applicants’ personal data will be processed in compliance with the applicable data protection rules.

Institution (Beneficiary and Implementing partners)	DPO/GDPR contact name / email address	
SIC (Beneficiary)	xxx	
Czech Technical University in Prague		
University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings	xxx	
Faculty of Biomedical Engineering	xxx	
Czech Academy of Sciences		
Institute of Physics- HiLASE	xxx	
Institute of Physics - ELI Beamlines	xxx	
Institute of Botany	xxx	
Astronomical Institute	xxx	
Institute of Microbiology	xxx	
Institute of Biotechnology	xxx	
Institute of Physiology	xxx	
Institute of Thermomechanics	xxx	
Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics	xxx	
Other universities and research organisations		
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague	xxx	
National Institute of Mental Health	xxx	
 Research Cen tre Řež 	xxx	
Research    Institute    of    Geodesy,    Topography    and  Cartography	xxx	

All Implementing partners assume the responsibility for ensuring that the research activities performed under MERIT comply with ethical principles of Horizon Europe as well as the Czech legislation, and if relevant, ethical principles and practice of other countries where the research will also be undertaken. Projects which do not comply with ethical principles will be terminated.
Compliance with ethical principles at the Programme level
Ethics Committee of MERIT will be established in month 5 of the project (milestone M5.1). The committee will be composed of 7 independent ethics experts to resolve any potential ethical issue of research proposals submitted by the MERIT applicants. Members of the Committee will be formed from the most important ethics committees in the Czech Republic: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, responsible for controlling research on Human Embryonic Stem Cells and related activities; Ministry of the Environment - approvals concerning genetic modifications; State institute for drug control - informed consent and use of biological samples and data; State Office for Nuclear Safety, relevant state institutions for animal research and ethics committees; Commission for the Scientific Integrity of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS). All MERIT applications will go through the Ethics Appraisal Procedure described below within the 1st and 2nd call to identify any potential ethical issues. Ethics screening will be executed by individual members and the ethics review by all members of the committee of proposals recommended for funding, if necessary.
Compliance with ethical principles at the application phase, evaluation and selection phase

The process to assess and address the ethical dimension of activities funded under MERIT will follow the Horizon Europe rules (Ethics Appraisal Procedure). Key sources of EU and international law are the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights and its Supplementary Protocols. Another important source is the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Such sources will be available on the MERIT website.
Ethics Appraisal Procedure
Activity	Who/	When?	How?	
Ethical Issue Table	Applicant	Application phase (mandatory)	Ethical Issue Table (Horizon Europe template)	
Ethics Self- assessment	Applicant	Application phase (if applicable)	Using EU Grants: How to complete your ethics self-assessment	
Ethics screening	Ethics expert (a member from MERIT Ethics Committee)	Evaluation stage	All application materials	
Ethics review	MERIT Ethics Committee	Evaluation stage	Review additional material, interview if required	
Commission Ethics Assessment	EC Ethics Committee	Grant preparation/ negotiation phase	The Steering Committee file a request to the Commission	
Source: Ethics Appraisal Procedure, Horizon 2020 Manual and updates from Horizon Europe
Based on the above, any project proposal with potential ethical issues will go through the ethics process describe below.
During proposal submission (performed by applicants):
Ethics Issues Table is an integral part of the application. In line with the Horizon Europe template, applicants will be asked in their research proposal summary form to declare whether their proposed research activity deals with the research areas in the Ethical Issues Table focusing on: human embryos/foetuses, humans, human cells/tissues, personal data, animals, third countries, environment & health and safety, artificial intelligence, other ethics issues or misuse. In case any potential ethical issue is identified, they will be requested to complete an Ethics Self-Assessment form. During this process, applicants will be required to follow the EU Grants: How to complete your ethics self-assessment.
Ethics Self-Assessment. If applicable, an overview of local/national licenses/approvals for the proposed research is necessary. A list of the relevant local, national and international standards and regulations must be described along with the respective approvals/guideline, as well as how the approvals from the relevant authorities will be delivered for ethical clearance once the project will have been accepted for funding.
During proposal evaluation (performed individual ethics experts):

Ethics screening. Ethics experts will conduct an ethics screening for all proposals recommended for funding, to identify all proposals that require ethical approval at the national level. Due to the complexity of some research proposals, the ethics experts and/or qualified staff may also recommend an ethics review rather than formulating direct requirements. Proposals involving the use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) automatically proceed to the Ethics Assessment. All successful proposals (ranked list and reserve list) will be screened or reviewed for ethics.
To ensure applicant's understanding of the ethics expectations and regulations in the EU (especially by non- EU applicants), ethical issues and regulations will be discussed during the interview process.
During ethics review (performed by the Ethics Committee):
Ethics review. Proposals recommended for ethics review will be sent to the MERIT Ethics Committee. The panel should reach a consensual conclusion and make recommendations for ethical issues monitoring during the project implementation. Their findings and recommendations will be presented to the Steering Committee (SC). Based on these recommendations the SC may recommend changes to the project to comply with the required ethical principles or decide about the proposal not receiving funding.
Commission Ethics Assessment. For proposals that will raise a serious concern or complex ethical issues the SC will file a request with the Commission as set out in Article 19, point 3 of the Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013 and provide all application material and findings of the ethics experts and ethics committee. Such proposals will be processed according to the decision/recommendation of the assessment carried out by the Commission.

Compliance with ethical principles at the implementation phase (during the fellowships)

All Implementing and Associated partners possess security certifications related to the types of activities carried out by their employees. All experiments will be carried-out according to protocols approved by the institutional and national authorities. In the beginning of each fellowship, fellows will attend mandatory security training applying to the type of activity they will execute and will be familiarized with the security protocol of their workplace.
The Ethics Committee of MERIT will monitor ethical issues during the project implementation of ongoing research projects (applicable only for those projects where ethical issues were identified). MERIT fellows will be required to submit annual progress reports to the Steering Committee (SC) which will monitor the progress of the research projects. For these reports, the fellows will be asked to provide information about how the research projects comply with ethical principles and applicable international, EU and national law and how the issue of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is handled in their research project implementation. The SC has the right to decide about suspension or cancellation of a fellowship in case non-ethical research is discovered during the research project implementation, despite the efforts in the evaluation and selection phase. The SC is entitled to terminate such fellowships immediately.
If activities undertaken in non-EU countries (e.g, US) raise ethics issues, the beneficiary will confirm that the research conducted outside the EU is legal in at least one EU Member State.
Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the persons responsible for ethics will carry out a risk assessment for possible secondments or other travel to Ukraine. The aim of the assessment is not to exclude Ukraine from participation, but to facilitate safe participation of researchers who wish to travel to Ukraine.
Beneficiary´s obligations regarding selected research proposals involving the use of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or human embryos (hE):

Notwithstanding the stipulations under Article 14 and Annex V of the Grant Agreement, the beneficiary shall inform the Research Executive Agency (REA) in writing of any research project selected for funding that may involve the use of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or human embryos (hE). Such research may not start without approval of the European ethics review and of the relevant Programme Committee completed by the communication of the explicit approval in writing from REA to the beneficiary. If the beneficiary branches any of its obligations regarding selected research proposals involving the use of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or human embryos (hE), the grant may be reduced (see Article 28 of the Grant Agreement) or terminated (see Article 32 of the Grant Agreement) without prejudice to any of the other measures described in Chapter 5 of the Grant Agreement

Partner organisation name	

Partner organisation short name	

Country	

Implementing Partner	

Associated Partner	

Academic (Y/N)	
Role	
						Hosting researchers WITH
recruiting (Y/N)	Hosting researchers WITHOUT
recruiting (Y/N)	Providing other training or career development opportunities (Y/N)	Financial contribution in EUR (if applicable)	
Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences	
IBT	
Czech Republic	

✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214
person/month	
Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences	
IMIC	
Czech Republic	

✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214
person/month	
The Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences	
IPHYS	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214
person/month	
Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences	
IAPG	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214
person/month	
Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences	
IBOT	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214
person/month	
National Institute of Mental Health	NIMH	Czech Republic	✓		Y	Y	N	Y	1,214/
person/month	
Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences / ELI Beamlines	
ELI Beamlines	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	
1,214/
person/month	
Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences / HiLASE	
IP-ASCR	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214/
person/month	
Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences	
ASU	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214/
person/month	

Partner Organisations Table 5.1

Centrum výzkumu Řež (Řež Research Centre)	
CVŘ	
Czech Republic	
✓		

N	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214/
person/month	
Czech Technical University in Prague, University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings	

UCEEB	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214/
person/month	
Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics	

CIIRC	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	

1,214/
person/month	
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague	CZU	Czech Republic	✓		Y	Y	N	Y	1,214/
person/month	
Institute of Thermomechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences	
IT	
Czech Republic	
✓		

Y	

Y	

N	

Y	
1,214/
person/month	
Research Institute of Geodesy, Topography and Cartography	
VUGTK	Czech Republic	✓		
Y	
Y	
N	
Y	
1,214/
person/month	
Eaton Elektrotechnika s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
VALEO AUTOKLIMATIZACE K.S.		Czech Republic		✓	
N	
N	
Y	
Y		
Deloitte Advisory s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
CRYTUR spol. s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
SHM s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
CARDAM s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
Santiago chemikalie s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
NEXARS		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
Beznoska		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
ESSENCE LINE, s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
DEVINN s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		

Czech Green Building Council		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
prg.ai, z.s.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
EuroGV		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
AffiPro		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
Magicware s.r.o.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
Hydronaut Project a.s.		Czech Republic		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
Gymnázium J. S. Machara, Brandýs nad Labem		Czech Republic		✓	
N	
N	
Y	
Y		
Vyšší odborná škola, Střední průmyslová škola a Jazyková škola s právem státní jazykové zkoušky, Kutná Hora		
Czech Republic		
✓	

N	

N	

Y	

Y		
Střední průmyslová škola Emila Kolbena Rakovník, příspěvková organizace		Czech Republic		✓	
N	
N	
Y	
Y		
BOSC (Baltic Open Solution Center)	BOSC	Latvia		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
DE.TEC.TOR		Italy		✓	N	N	Y	Y		
Instituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare	INFN	Italy		✓	Y	N	Y	Y		
UW (University of Washington)	UW	USA		✓	Y	N	Y	Y		
NCSU (North State Carolina University)	NCSU	USA		✓	Y	N	Y	Y		
ITESM (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey)		
Mexico		
✓	
Y	
N	
Y	
Y		
MUI (Medical University Innsbruck)	MUI	Austria		✓	Y	N	Y	Y		
TUD (Technische Universität Dresden)	TUD	Germany		✓	Y	N	Y	Y		
TUB (Technische Universität Berlin), Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik	
TUB/ZAA	
Germany		
✓	
Y	
N	
Y	
Y		

Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences	
UPWr	
Poland		✓	
Y	
N	
Y	
Y		
IMP-PAN (Instytut Maszyn Przeplywowych Im. Roberta Szewalskiego Polskiej Akademii Nauk)	

IMP-PAN	

Poland		
✓	

Y	

N	

Y	

Y		
LTU (Lulea Tekniska Universitet)	LTU	Sweden		✓	Y	N	Y	Y		
Queen's University Belfast, Centre for Plasma Physics	
CPP	United Kingdom		✓	
Y	
N	
Y	
Y		
TUKE (Technical University of Košice)	TUKE	Slovak Republic		✓	Y	N	Y	Y		
Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture		
Ukraine		✓	
Y	
N	
Y	
Y		
Global Change Research Institute CAS		Czech Republic		✓	Y	N	Y	Y		

Eaton European lnnovetlon Center,odštěpný závod Eaton Elaklrotechnlka s.r.o., Bol'lvojova 2380, 252 63 Roztoky

Letter of Commitment

Powering Business Wor/dwide

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 :Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, lnnovatlon and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

We, undersigned Marcela Ludvíková and Dušan Pirich, in our quality of Statutory representatives, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohem/a Mobility Programme for Excellence ln Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 , should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Eaton Elektrotechnika s.r.o., we also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. ln particular, Eaton European lnnovation Centre, branch of Eaton Elektrotechnika s.r.o.will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of lmplementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment wlll be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its caus in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

We hereby declare that we are entitled to commit into this process the entity we represent.

Place, date: Prague, December 9th 2021 Legal Representatives Signature:

Statutory representative	Statutory representative

Eaton European lnnovatlon Center Bofivojova 2380
CZ - 252 63 Roztoky
tel. +420 211151 574
www . eaton com
www eaton .cz
IČ0:49811894, DIČ: CZ49811894, zapsána v obchodnlm rejstflku vedeném Městskym soudem v Praze. oddll C, vložka 26264

...V.
>

aleo

Letter of Commitment

Cali	for	proposals	HORIZON-MSCA -COFUND-2021 : Central	Bohemia	Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Deru·Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Ing. Leoš Dvořák, in my quality of R&D Centre General Manager, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovatio11 and Technology (MERJT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of VALEO AUTOKLIMATIZACE k.s., I also confirrn that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctora l research training programme as planned. In particular, VALEO AUTOKLIMATIZACE
will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aLigns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERJT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowsh ip period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represe,.nt.

-

Place, date: Prague, 20.1 . 2022

Lega! Representative Name: Ing. Leoš Dvořák Lega! Representative Signature:

Letter of Intent

for the attention of:
Ing. Antonín Lupíšek, Ph.D., Director for Research and Innovation, Head of Team Sustainable Building, at Czech Technical University in Prague

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Program for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,
I undersigned Pavel Šiška, in my quality of Partner on behalf of Deloitte Advisory s.r.o., declare our readiness to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

I also confirm that Deloitte Advisory s.r.o. intends to participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, Deloitte Advisory s.r.o. expects to be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT program. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the program MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties and any performance described above may be subject to additional approvals on our side.

Place, date: In Prague, on 28.01.2022
Legal  Representative  Name:  Pavel  Šiška,

Legal Representative Signature:

Digitally signed

acting based on a power of attorney

Pavel
Šiška

by Pavel Šiška Date: 2022.01.28
16:35:05 +01'00'

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions,          and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.

Letter of Commitment

Cali	for	proposals	HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 :   Central	Bohernia	Mobility Prograrnrne for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned, Jindřich Houžvička, in my quality of Chief Executive Officer, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programmefor Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technoi,ogy (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of CRYTUR, s.r.o., I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, CRYTUR, s.r.o. will be involved  in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and sbal! not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any lega! obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled .to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date:

Turnov, January 7, 2022 Lega) Representative Name: Dr. Jindřich Houžvička, CEO
Lega!Reprešentative Signature:

<0  CRYTUR, spol. s r.o. I Na Lukách 2283 1 511 01 Turnov ICzech Republic
+420 481 319 511 I 9 +420 481 322 323 I [81 sales@crytur.cz I (@ www.crytur.com

CRYSTAL
CLEAR SOLUTIONS

Letter of Commitment

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Ing. Petr Mrkos MBA, in my quality of CEO of SHM, s.r.o., commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of SHM, s.r.o., I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, SHM, s.r.o. will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

In Šumperk, Czech Republic

Ing. Petr Mrkos, MBA

Digitálně  podepsal Ing. Petr Mrkos, MBA
Datum: 2022.01.05
09:57:02 +01'00'

……………..……………………………………………………….
Date, Name, Signature

SHM, s.r.o., Průmyslová 3020/3 787 01 Šumperk	IČ: 479 76 519 / DIČ: CZ47976519

T +420 583 241 176 / E shm@shm-cz.cz / W shm-cz.cz	Zápis v obchodním rejstříku při KS v Ostravě, oddíl C, vložka 5832

Letter of Commitment

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Ondřej Kurkin in my quality of CEO, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of CARDAM s.r.o., I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, [name of the entity] will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

Legal Representative Name: Ondřej Kurkin

Legal Representative Signature:

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent. Place, date: Dolní Břežany, 1.12.2021

SANTIAGO

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals  HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021:   Centra! Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Ing. Kryštof Šigut, in my quality of CEO, comm it to set up all necessary provisions to partici pate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the cal l HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021,  should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Santiago chem ikálie s.r.o., I also confirm that we wi ll partici pate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as plan ned. In particular, Santiago chemikál ie
wi l l be involved  i n:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation  and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal oppmiunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any lega! obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into th is process the entity I represent.

-

Place, date: Kralupy nad Vltavou, 26th November 2021 Lega!Representative Name:  Ing. Kryštof  Šigut
Lega!Representative   Signature:	Santiago chemikálie s.r.o.
custom chemlcals
Minická 189,27s 01 Kralupy nad Vltavou
Tel.: 776 750 591,email:tnfo@santlago.cz
-..	!CO: 06750102, DIC: CZ06750702

teM<H1 +420 T/ 6 750 591 e.1n;ill 111ro@sa11t1ago.cz Mresa saht!ago che.1nlkáUe u.o„ M!l1fcká ·rn9, 278 01 Kralu py 11M V ltavou	www.santiago.tz

IUITIOllAL  lNSTITVTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

Letter of Commitment

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-202 1: Centra! Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,
I undersigned f!..:f/.r:P.@.t/.f. in my quality of kn!?.'1!.(f? f!ff . . commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal  Centra/  Bo/1emia  Mobility Programme for  Excellence i11 Researc/1, ln11ovation aml Tecllno/ogy (MERJT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021,  should the proposal be funded.

On  behalf  of  [nam4A?e entity],  I  also  confirm  that  we  will  participa te	ontribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. ln particular, [name (Qf4lfi entity] will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), traini ng and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities.The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of lmplementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according  to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period .
Dissemination of the  programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any lega!obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: BRNO, January 12, 2022

Lega! Representative Name: Róbert Hromádka, M.D.

Lega! Representative  Signature:

c aP e.
Jqman

Rh-----

503!11 Chlu
'"•lifu: t5

Nalionallnsliwle olMental Health
amllated wUh the 3td Faailty ol Medldne,Charles Unlvetslly (Department of Psychiatry and MedicalPsychology) Topolovi 748.250 67 Klecany, Czed! Republic

Telephone:(+.C20) 283 088 111 Sectetary: sektetarial@nudz.cz Clinlcal Dlvlalon·ldinlka@nudz.cz www.nuclz.cz

Benic account 25234081/0710 Czech National Bank, Prague SIC/SWIFT;CNSACZPP IBAN:CZ3607100000000025234081

[B!] BEZNOSKA

 	ZDRAV01NICKÁ  TECHNIKA
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 : Centra! Bohem ia Mobility  Programme for Excellence in Research , Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,
I u n·ders1.gned \.1...:\.............l.'.a..., .111 my qua11·ty of ········""'{·)····„..„ ..., comm 1.t to set up al i necessary prov.r s.1on s to partici pate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programmefor Excellence in Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA­ COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Beznoska, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular , Beznoska will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities . The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme . The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: 2.12. 2021

Lega! Representative Name: Petr Milata . Lega! Representative Signature:

Dělnická 2727, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic www.beznoska.cz
mailbox@beznoska.cz
IČO  43 77 49 46 - zapsáno v obchodním rejstříku dne 7. 1. 1992, oddíl C, vložka 6672 IČ P 1001569105	.

Tel.: +420/ 312 811200
Fax.: +420/ 312 660 216, 312 662 464
Mobil: +420I 602 666 503

Letter of Commitment
Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Petr Novotny, in my quality of the Executive Manager, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of ESSENCE LINE, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, ESSENCE LINE will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: 30.12.2021

Legal Representative Name: Petr Novotny Legal Representative Signature:

Letter of Commitment

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Luboš Hajský, in my quality of CEO, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of DEVINN s.r.o., I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, DEVINN s.r.o. will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: Mladá Boleslav, 24th November 2021 Legal Representative Name: Luboš Hajský, CEO

Legal Representative Signature:

Luboš Hajský

Digitálně podepsal Luboš Hajský
Datum: 2021.11.24
17:35:47 +01'00'

LETTER OF COMMITMENT

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Pro- gramme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Simona Kalvodová, in my quality of Executive Director of the Czech Green Building Council, z.s.,commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the pro- posal be funded.

On behalf of Czech Green Building Council, z.s., I also confirm that we will participate and contrib- ute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, Czech Green Build- ing Council, z.s. will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising re- searchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal op- portunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: Prague, 26th January 2022

Legal Representative Name: Simona Kalvodová Legal Representative Signature:

Česká rada pro šetrné budovy, z.s. | Czech Green Building Council
Drtinova 10, 150 00 Praha 5, Česká republika | www.czgbc.org | IČ: 2283 5661

Letter of Commitment

Call	for	proposals	HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021:	Central	Bohemia	Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned, Lenka Kučerová, in my quality of Managing Director at prg.ai, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of prg.ai, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, prg.ai will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Prague, 25th November 2021

Lenka Kučerová Managing Director prg.ai
Staroměstské náměstí 1/4 Praha, Czech Republic
+420 739 267 985
lenka@prg.ai

Letter of Commitment
Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA -COFUND-2021 : Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

Iundersigned /11g.Kllrel VACH, CSc., in my quality of executive head, commit to set up al! necessary provisions to partici pate as Associatcd partner i n the proposal Centra/ Boltemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Researclt, Im10vatio1t mul Tech110/ogy (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 , shou ld the proposal be funded.

On behalf of EuroGV spot. s r.o. (Czech Republic), Ialso confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. ln particular, EuroGV spot. s r.o. (Czech Republic) will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondm ent), train ing and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation w ill be described in a separate secondment agreement between ou r organisation and one of lmplementing partners of the M ER !T program me. The duration of the secondm ent will be agreed accord ing to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowsh ip period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obl igations between the parties.

Ihereby declare that Iam entitled to com mit into this process the entity 1 represent.

Place, date:

Legal Representative Name:	Ing. Karel   VACH, CSc

Legal Representative Signature:

EuroGV spol. s r.o.	IČO:48 I I 69 12, DIČ: CZ48 11 69 12, Ms. v Praze, odd .C, vl.16908 Sidlo: Opletalova  1284/37, 110 00   Praha  I
Provozovna: Sm íchovská 942/9a, 15500 Praha 5,  Provozovna: Havlíčkovo nám. 8/19, 252 19 Rudná
Tel.:2 5161 5987, http://www.curogv.cz , c-mail: curogv@curogv.cz

-	AffiPro

affipro

Zlonínská 256
Mratín 250 63 Czech Republic www  .affipro.cz

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 : Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research , Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Alexandra Pompachova, in my quality  of general manager, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Boliemia Mobility Programmefor Excellence in Researcli, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA ­ COFUND-202 1, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of AffiPro s.r.o„ I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programm e as planned. In particular, Affi pro s.r.o. will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation  and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research proj ect and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: Mratin, 20.1 .2022

/ 7,,-,(_

Lega! Representative Name: Alexandra Pompachova Legal  Representative Signature:

<--  /.

Čc

+420 222 260 999 I hot@magicware.cz  I www.magicware.cz

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Centra! Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I u ndersigned Ing. Tomáš Novosad in my qual ity of CEO, commit to set up all necessary provisions to partici pate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Boliemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Researcli, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of MAGICWARE, společnost s ručením omezeným, I also confirm that we will partici pate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training program me as planned. In particu lar, MAGICWARE, společnost s ručením omezeným will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting .(secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns witlí our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: Prague, 21/01/2022

Legal Representative Name: Ing. Tomáš Novosad Legal Representative Signature:

./

/	l
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/ln°:pc VIARE f:::L----p

22

Srdlo: Krohooa   !2?\	·
160 00 Pra hi!f „.	·
Tel +4 /0 266 _'·  esko flepublika '	-	260 909
IC: 62576836	DIC: CZ62516836

Hydronaut Project a.s.    Pod Velkým hájem 1647/13, Rado7n, 153 00 Praha 5 Czech Republic

Le2er of Commitment

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021:
Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, InnovaNon and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Stanislav Smolaga in my quality of Statutory director of Hydronaut a.s. commit to set up all necessary provisions to parNcipate as Associated partner in the proposal  Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innova<on and Technology (MERIT) submiWed within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Hydronaut a.s. I also conﬁrm that we will parNcipate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In parNcular, Hydronaut a.s. will be involved in:
HosNng researchers without recruiNng (secondment), training and supervising
researchers in a deﬁned research project that aligns with our prioriNes. The speciﬁcs of such cooperaNon will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisaNon and one of ImplemenNng partners of the MERIT programme. The duraNon of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
DisseminaNon of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal
opportuniNes and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligaNons between the parNes. I hereby declarethat I am enNtled to commit into this process the enNty I represent.
Prague, 16.1.2022	Stanislav Smolaga
CEO Hydronaut Project a.s.

Stanisla
v

Digitálně podepsal Stanislav Smolaga Datum:

Smolaga

2022.01.25
17:19:51 +01'00'

Gymnázium J. S. Machara,
Brandýs nad Labem - Stará Boleslav , Královická 668	
Královická 668, 250 50 Brandýs nad Labem - Stará Boleslav

Letter of Commitment

Call  for  proposals  HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 : Central  Bohemia  Mobility  Programme  for Excellence in Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Miroslava Zachariášová, in my quality of headmaster of High School J. S. Machara, Brandýs and Labem - Stará Boleslav, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA­ COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of High School J . S. Machara, Brandýs and Labem - Stará Boleslav, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. ln particular, High School J. S. Machara, Brandýs and Labem - Stará Boleslav will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment) training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organization and one of lmplementing partners of the MERIT programme.The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30 % of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.
I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity Irepresent.

Place,date: The Czech Republic - Brandýs and Labem - Stará Boleslav,15th of Dezember 2021 Legal Representative Name: PhDr. Ing. Miroslava Zachariášová
Legal Representative Signature: 4,_·	/

Tel.:	326 902 311	 	

www.gbl.cz	 	

E-mail:info@gbl.cz

IČO:	613 88 939
DIČ:	CZ 613 88 939

Číslo účtu u MONETA Money Bank, a. s.
165 95 09 504/0600

IZO:	108 003 868
IDS:	3k9w9ci

VYŠŠÍ ODBORNÁ ŠKOLA, STŘE DNÍ PRŮMYSLOVÁ ŠKOLA
A JAZYKOVÁ ŠKOlA S PRÁVEM STÁTNÍ JAZYKOVÉ ZKOUŠK Y, MASARYKOVA 197,KUTNÁ HORA

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Centra! Bohemia Mobility Programme
for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) Dear Madam/Sir,
I undersigned Ing. Josef Treml, in my quality of headmaster,  commit  to set up all necessary provisions to participa te as Associated  partner  in the  proposal  Ceutmi Boltemia  Mobility  Progmmme for   Excel/e11ce in Researcli, /J111ovatio11 mul Tecli110/ogy (JMERIT) submitted within the cal! HORIZON-MSCA­ COFUND-2021,  should the proposal  be funded.

On behalf of Technical Hight school Kutná Hora, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research trai ning programme as plaimed. Teclmical Hight school Kutná Hora will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recrniting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a clefined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such coopera tion will be clescribed in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one oflmplementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed accordi ng to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Disseminat ion of the programme MERIT and its calls in orcler to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any lega! obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, clate: Kutná Hora, 15. 12. 2021
Lega) Representative Name: Ing. Josef Treml	/

Lega! Representative Signature:

umwom /0100
  1t:mum
Dl(:U619ll0lt

e·mail: inlo@vo1·H.u I
tel.: m m s11
www.vos·l.u

      SPŠ	<·

Střední průmyslová škola Emila Kolbena Rakovník, p. o.

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 : Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Jan Jirátko, in my quality of headmaster , commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERII) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 , should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Emil Kolben High Technical School, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned . In particular , Emil Kolben High Technical School will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities . The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of lmplementing partners of the MERIT programme . The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period .
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties .

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: Rakovník, January 3rd, 2022

Legal Representative Name : RNDr . Jan Jirátko, headmaster

Legal Representative Signature:

t'•	,   \ l\''
I ,
J

*

Sídl. Gen. J . Kholla 2501, 269 01  Rakovník
tr 606 096 613	j.jiratko@spsrakovnik.cz

www.spsrakovnik .cz

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G3l	iiiil;Í!l!!l:iiiiiiliilijiiiuiiEI:
E3CJSC:

Letter of Commitment
Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-202 1: Centra[ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir.

I undersigned .. Michal Kepka ....in my quality of ...member of the board..., commit to set up all necessary provisions to partici pate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Researc/1, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON -MSCA-COFUND-2021 , should the proposal be fundcd.

On behalf of Baltic Open Solution Center, Ialso con:firm that we will partici pate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned . lo particular. [name ojthe entity] will be involved in:
Hosting researchers witl10ut recmiting (secondment). training and supervising researchers in a defined research projcct Lhat aJ igns with our priorities . The specifics of such coopcration wili bc describcd in a scparate sccondmenl agreement between our organisation and one ofimplementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of Lhe fellowship period .
Dissemi nation of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and LO reach diversity among candidates.

This documeot does not establish aoy legal obligaLions between ů1e parties.

1 hereby declare tbat I am entitlcd to commit into this process tl1e entity 1 represcnt.

Place, date: Osek 24th JanttaJ)' 2022

i

Legal Representative Name: Michal Kepka Lega] Representative Signature:

LETTER OF COMMITMENT
Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Giuseppe Pittà, in my quality of legal representative of DE.TEC.TOR. Devices and Technologies Torino commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of DE.TEC.TOR. Devices and Technologies Torino, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, our company will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment) training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organization and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

Dr. Giuseppe Pittà

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent. Turin, 26.01.2022

Lungo Dora Voghera 36A, 10153 Torino	+39 01119010766	info@detector-group.com	www.detector-group.com

ISO 9001 #9120.DETC - ISO 13485 #9124.DTC2

INFN

Letter of Commitment

Cali	for	proposals	HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 : Central	Bohemia	Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersignedDr Santo Gammino, in my quality of Director of INFN-LNS, commit to set up alt necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON­ MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of IN FN-LNS, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, INFN-LNS will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreemenL beLween our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: January th 26th

Dr Santo Gammino INFN-LNS Director

Legal Representative Signature:

Letter of Commitment

František Tureček
Saegebarth Endowed Professor of Chemistry

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Prof. František Tureček, in my quality of PI and research group leader at Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA- COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of my research group at Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, my group will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Seattle, WA, January 5, 2022

Legal Representative Name: Prof. František Tureček
Legal Representative Signature:         

Box 351700 · Seattle, WA 98195-1700 |  206.685.2041 |  turecek@uw.edu |  http://depts.washington.edu/chem/people/faculty/turecek.html

NC STATE
UNIVER SITY

NC State European Center in Prague
Office of Global Engagement prague.ncsu.edu

Letter of Commitment

Malé náměstí 1/Karlova 27 Prague 1, 110 00
Czech Republic

Cali  for  proposals HORIZON-MSCA-C OFUND-2021: Centra!  Bohemia  Mobility  Programme  for Excellence in Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

l undersigned ,Kimberly A. Strozewski, i n my quality of Director of tlte North Caroli1ta State U11iversity's braJLc/1 in Prague (orga11izač11í složka) commit to set up all necessary provisions to particípate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Boltemia Mobility Programmef or Excellence in Researc/1, I1111ovatio11 a11d Tec/1110/ogy (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 , should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of North Carol ina State Uni versity, org. sl. I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. ln particular, North Carolina State University, org. sl. will be involved i n:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supcrvising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement betwecn our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the rcsearch project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in ordcr to guarantee equa1 opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establ ish any lega! obl igations between thc parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into tbis process the entity I represent.

Place, date:

Lega! Representative Name: Kimberly A. Strozewski
Director,NC State European Center in Prague Lega! Representative Signature:

n center
NC State Europea
in prague	27

·é·

Malé náměstí 11		ublika 110oo Praha 1	cn7e4217S ičo: i1e4211e.	.   -

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Letter of Commitment

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Neil Hernández Gress, in my quality of Director of Research, Vicerectorate for Research and Technology Transfer, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA­ COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Tecnologico de Monterrey, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. ln particular, Tecnologico de Monterrey will be involved in:
O	Hosting researchers without recruiting  (secondment), training and supervising researchers  in a
defined research project that aligns with our priorities . The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organization and one  of Implementing partners of the MERIT program . The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period .
O	Dissemination of the program MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date:
Monterrey, México. January 14, 2022

Legal Representative Name/LEAR:
Neil Hernández Gress

Legal Representative  Signature:

Tecnológico
W de Monterrey
vtcerrectorla de lnvestipclón y Transfemn
de Tecnologfa

Vicerrectoría de lnvestigación y Transferencia de Tecnología Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Col. Tecnológico
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 	M  E D I CAL 	 UN IVERSITY
I N NSB RUC K

Letter of Commitmen t

Call for proposals HORJ ZON-MSCA-COFU ND-2021: CentraI Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Assoc.Prof. Dr. Michael J. Ausserlechner, i n my quality of bci ng che Lab Head of the Molecular Biology Laboratory. Dept. of Pediatrics I, Meuical Universi ty Innsbruck, commit to set up a ll necessary provisions to partici patc as Associated partner i n the proposa l Ce11tral Bollemia Mobility Prognmu11efor Excelle11ce ltt Researcll, T1111m1a1io11 and Tec/1110/of:Y (MERTT) submilted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFU ND-2021 , should the proposal bc funded.

On behalf of Medical U ni versity Innsbruck, I also confirm that we wi ll participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research trai ning programme as planned. ln parti cular, Medical Uni versi ty Innsbruck will be involved i n:
llosting rescarchers without recruiting (secondment), traini ng and supervising. rescarchers i n a defined rcsearch project t hat aligns with our priorities. The specifics oť such coopcrat ion will bc described i n a separate secondmcnt agreemenl between our organisation and one of 1mplemcnting partners of the MER IT programme. The duration of the secondmcnt wil l bc agreed accordi ng to  t he needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fcllowship period.
Dissemination of the programmc MERIT and its calis in ordcr to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversi ty among candidates.

This documcnt does nol establi sh any lcgal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to comrnit i nto this proccss the enti ty I represent.

Pl ace, date:

Assoz.Prot.Po M

leer Motekurb t'" MichaelJ.Aus5er/ech
Ursttatsklinik fDr K ches Labor, PIJr:J/fltn r
I  ec1;.zinische Un;v:  .;.JuaencJhollkuna nnram 66, 4.OG A	laat lnnebrucl{
' -6020 lnn1bruek

Place, date:

-

Legal Representati ve Narne: Univ .Prof.Dr. Thomas Muller

Lcgal Representati ve Signature:	--

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Univ.Prof.Mag  !Jr Th	. ,,,.
Dl kt	·	omas Muller
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TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT DRESDEN

DR ES DEN

c o nce pt

European Project Center (EPC)

Technische Universitat Dresden, 01062 Dresden

EPC
*	European
Project Center

Author: Telephone: Telefax:
E-mail:
Our Reference:

Susan Hensel,M. A.
+49 351 463-42084
+49 351463-37719
susan.hensel@tu-dresden.de

Dresden, 25.01.2022

Letter of Commitment
HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 :Centra! Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research,lnnovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,
I undersigned Dr. Andreas Handschuh, in my quality of Chancellor of Technische Universitat Dresden,TUD, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, /nnovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the calI HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021,should the proposal be funded.
On behalf ofTUD, Ialso confirm that we will participate and contribute to the postdoctoral research training programme as planned. ln particular, TUD will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), tra ining and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of the implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed accordingto the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemi nation of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.
This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

J -°?Jj?Uk

Ihereby declare that I am entitled to commit into .this pror;.es.s. the entity.
Technische un1vers1tat uresaen
Yours sincerely,	(

Name: Dr. Andreas  Handschuh	Kat1a Botcher
Function: Chancellor of Technische UnivefsrfSPffi'éťctct Center

Posta/ Address	Visitor Address	Tax number

Bonk occounts

audit FamllY·friendly

TU Dresden, European Project Center Núrnberger Str. 31A

(tnland)

Commerzbank AG.

01062 Dresden	Ni.irnberger EI[NOR)	203/149/02549	Branch office Dresden	
	3. Floor	VAT number	IBAN	
	01187 Dresden	(Overseas)	OE52 8504 0000 0800 4	
	Office
Room: 310	DE 188 369 991	BIC COBADEFF8SO	

004 00

university I EMAS

•

Envlronmental management
.,.****

EMAS

•

Website  https://tu·dresden.de	No access for electronically signed and encrypted electronlc documents.

:::.:::

TU Berlin | Sekretariat ER 3-2 | Hardenbergstraße 36A | 10623 Berlin

HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021
Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excel- lence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Berlin, 7.1. 2022

Letter of Commitment

Dear Madam/Sir,
I undersigned Prof. Dr. Wolf-Christian Mu¨ ller of the Zentrum fu¨ r Astronomie und Astrophysik, Technische Universita¨ t Berlin, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Pro- gramme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.
On behalf of Zentrum fu¨ r Astronomie und Astrophysik, Technische Universita¨ t Berlin, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research trai- ning programme as planned. In particular, Zentrum fu¨ r Astronomie und Astrophysik, Technische Universita¨ t Berlin will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.
This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties. I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Prof. Dr. Wolf-Christian Mu¨ ller

Seite 1/1
www-astro.physik.tu-berlin.de

Fakulta¨ t II | Mathematik und Naturwissenschaften
Zentrum fu¨ r Astronomie und Astrophysik

Prof. Dr. Wolf-Christian Mu¨ ller

Raum ER 373 Hardenbergstraße 36A 10623 Berlin

Telefon +49 (0)30 314-27351
wolf-christian.mueller@tu-berlin.de

Sekretariat Silke Ebbers

Raum ER 375

Telefon +49 (0)30 314-27353
Telefax +49 (0)30 314-27833
silke.ebbers@tu-berlin.de

VICE-RECTOR FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION

W0000000.014.19.2021

Wrocław, 21.12.2021 r.

Letter of Commitment

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021: Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Anna Chełmońśka-Soyta, in my quality of Vice Rector for Internationalization, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date:

Legal Representative Name: Legal Representative Signature:

Signed by / Podpisano  przez:

Anna Renata Che mo ska- Soyta
Date / Data:
2021-12-21 10:07

WROCŁAW UNIVERSITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIFE SCIENCES VICE-RECTOR FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION
25 Norwida Street, 50-375 Wrocław

tel. +48 71320 1025
e-mail: anna.soyta@ upwr.edu.pl • www.upwr.edu.pl

Instytut Maszyn Przeplywowych im. Roberta Szewalskiego Polskiej Akademii Na uk

Fiszera 14, 80-231 Gdansk, Poland
Tel.(office): +48 58 3460881

e-mail: imp@imp.gda.pl
www.imp.gda.pl

Letter of Commitmen t

Call for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 : Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned Pro/ dr hab. inž. Jan Kicinski , in my quality of Director, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021  , should  the  proposal   be  funded.

On behalf of Instytut Maszyn Przeplywowych im. Roberta Szewalskiego Polskiej Akademii Nauk (!MP PAN), I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research  training programme  as planned. In particular, IMP PAN wi l l  be  involved  in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities . The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners  of  the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowsh ip period .
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any lega] obligations between the parties .

I hereby declare that I am entitled to comm it into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date:

Gdansk, 2022-01-20

Prof. dr ha

LULEAL UNIVERSITY
OF TE CHNOLOGY

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 :Centra! Bohemia Mobility Programme
for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology  (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,
.-
I undersigned Veronika Sundstrom, in my quality as Uni versity Director, commit to set up all necessary
provisions to pa11icipate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bollemia Mobility Programmefor Exce/le11ce i11 Researc/1, I11110vt1tio11 tmd Tec/1110/ogy (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON­ MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalfof Lulea University of Technology, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In pa1ticular, Lulea University of Technology will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), traini ng and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such coopration will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one oflmplementing pa1tners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period .
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the patties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date:
Lulea 20/0 l/2022
Lega! Representative Name: Veronika Sundstróm
Lega! Representati ve Signature:

LULEL · UNIVERSITY
OF TECllNOLOGY
SE-971 87 LULEÁ

...

Centre for Plasma Physics
School of Mathematics and Physics Queen’s University Belfast
Phone: +44-28-90973516
www.qub.ac.uk/mp/cpp

Belfast, 21/1/2022

LETTER OF COMMITMENT
Call  for  proposals  HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021:  Central  Bohemia  Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned ..Marco Borghesi, in my quality of Head of the Centre for Plasma Physics at Queen’s University Belfast, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Queen’s University Belfast, I also confirm that we will participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. In particular, Queen’s University Belfast will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of Implementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: Belfast, 25/1/2022

Legal Representative Name: Prof. Marco Borghesi Legal Representative Signature:

TECHNICKÁ UNIVERZITA V KOŠICIACH
Fakulta baníctva, ekológie, riadenia a geotechnológií

ústav geodézie, kartografie a geografických informačných systémov
Park Komenského 19 I 042 00 Košice

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021:Centra! Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, lnnovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned assoc. Prof. Ing. Peter Blišt'an, PhD., MBA, in my quality of director o/ institute, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, lnnovation and  Technology (MERIT) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 ,should the proposal be funded.

On behatf of Institute o/ Geodesy, Cartography and Geographical ln/ormation Systems o/ Technical university Kosice, (Slovak Republic), I also confirm that we witl participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned. ln particular Institute o/ Geodesy, Cartography and Geographical ln/ormation Systems oj Technical university Kosice, (Slovak Republic) will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of lmplementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

Ihereby declare that Iam entitled to commit into this process the entity Irepresent.

Place, date:	
lega I  Representative  Sígnature:	/l _,,

UNIVERZITA V KOŠICIACH

LegaIRepresentative Name:  assoc. Prof. Ing. Peter Blišťan, PhD.,MBA

TECHllCKÁ
FAKULTA

BAN ICTVA , EKOLÓGIE

01

RIADENIA A GEOTECHNOLůGtl
O.mv geo06lll.kar111Qlalle aueooranc11111101111•C1111•V11tet11U'tl

peter.blistan@tuke.sk I tel.: +42155 602 2786 I www.fberg.tuke.sk
IČO: 00 397 610 I DIČ: 2020486710 I IČ DPH: SK2020486710

MIHICTEPCTBO  OCBlTl1 IHAYK11YKPAi"HH

KHIBCbKHŘ HAIJ,IOHAJlbHHH YHIBEPCHTET l>YL(IBHIIl(TBA I APXITEKTYPH
nosiTpoq>noTcbKHH np. 31, M. K11"10, 03037, Ten. (044)24 1-55-80, cpaKc (044) 248-32-65
E-mail: knuba_admin@ukr.net ; Web: http://www.knuba.edu.ua, KOil E',l{PBOY 02070909

 	

Letter of Commitment

Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 : Centra! Bohemia Mobi l i ty Program me for Excellence i n Research, Innovation and Technology (MERJT)

Dear Madam/Si r,

I undersigned Petro Kulikov. i n my quality ofrector, commit to set up all necessary provisions to partici pate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra/ Bohemia Mobility Programmefor Excel/ e11ce in Research, ltmovation aud Technology (MERJT) submitted within the call HORJZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 , should the proposal be funded.

On behalf of Kyiv Nationa l U niversity of Constructi on and Architecture, I also confirm that we will participate and contri bute to the Postdoctoral research trai ning programme as planned. ln particular, Kyiv National Uni versity of Construction and Architecture will be i nvolved i n:
Hosting researchers wi thout recruiti ng (secondment), training and supervising researchers in a defined research project that aligns with our priori ties. The specifics of such cooperation will be described i n a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of lmplem enting partners of the MERJT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowshi p period.
Dissemination of the programme MERfT and its cal I s i n order to guarantee equal opportuni ties and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establ ish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am enti t led to commit i nto this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: 17/01/

Lega! Represent	Petro Kul ikov

zechGlobe	Global Change Research Institute CAS
Bělidla 986/4a 603 00 Brno Czech Republic

Letter of Commitment
Cali for proposals HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021 : Central Bohemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Research, Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Dear Madam/Sir,

I undersigned prof. Miroslav Trnka, in my quality of domain leader, commit to set up all necessary provisions to participate as Associated partner in the proposal Centra! Boliemia Mobility Programme for Excellence in Researcli, Innovation and Technology (MERl1) submitted within the call HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND-2021, should the proposal be funded .
..
On behalf of Global Change Research Institute (GCRI), Czech Academy of Sciences, I also confirm that we will
participate and contribute to the Postdoctoral research training programme as planned . ln particular , GCRI will be involved in:
Hosting researchers without recruiting (secondment), training and supervising researchers in  a defined research project that aligns with our priorities. The specifics of such cooperation will be described in a separate secondment agreement between our organisation and one of lmplementing partners of the MERIT programme. The duration of the secondment will be agreed according to the needs of the research project and shall not exceed 30% of the fellowship period.
Dissemination of the programme MERIT and its calls in order to guarantee equal opportunities and to reach diversity among candidates.

This document does not establish any legal obligations between the parties.

I hereby declare that I am entitled to commit into this process the entity I represent.

Place, date: Brno, 25th January

Domain Leader Name and Signature: prof. Miroslav Trnka, Ph.D.

Legal Representative Name: prof. RNDr. Ing. Michal V. Marek, DrSc., dr. h. c.

v zastoupení: doc. Ing. Dalibor Janouš,

Legal Representative  Signature:

www.czechglobe.cz

Global Change Research Institute CAS

G:zechGlobe
603 00 Brno, Bělidla 4a
Czech Republic

T: +420 511 192 211
E: centrum@czechglobe.cz VAT: CZ86652079

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