Activities — Our projects — Voucher program to bridge funding gaps in clinical research

Voucher program to bridge funding gaps in clinical research

The Czech grant system typically requires detailed planning of every step at the time of applying for research funding. However, a fundamental characteristic of groundbreaking “blue sky” research is that it is not always possible to anticipate all necessary purchases, travel, and experiments in advance. Research teams therefore often encounter bureaucratic obstacles that prevent them from adapting quickly and carrying out essential steps toward achieving significant results. In clinical research in particular, inflexible funding timelines and lengthy administrative processes can slow down and complicate the practical implementation of ambitious research projects.

This program responds to these challenges by offering rapid financial contributions that help bridge temporary funding gaps. Its aim is to support specific steps and activities in clinical research projects addressing critical health challenges and linked directly or indirectly to clinical settings, thereby bridging gaps in their funding and ensuring the uninterrupted progress of research.

Our main objective is to ensure the uninterrupted progress of research that can lead to important innovations and help improve the quality of human life.

Within this program, we therefore offer rapid and flexible vouchers (financial contributions of up to CZK 200,000) to cover essential clinical research expenses.

Applications may be submitted in Czech or English and are evaluated on a rolling basis. The final decision is made by the Foundation’s Board, and applicants are notified shortly thereafter.

Funding is provided within 10 days of signing the contract, or, where required by law, after the contract has been published in the Register of Contracts.

Applications must comply with the rules set out in the program Terms & Conditions and must include:

  • A detailed description of the activities and the related urgent costs to be covered by the program, together with an explanation of why these cannot be covered from other resources, their role in the applicant’s other research activities, and the expected timeline. (3,000 characters maximum)
  • CVs of key researcher/s
  • Letter of institutional support – if costs related to IPR protection are requested, this letter must also confirm the submission of an invention disclosure
  • Ethics approval documentation (if applicable)

Applications should be submitted via this form.

Required attachments should be sent to clinical-research@iocbfoundation.cz.

The program is implemented with the support of a grant from the pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb.

Detailed terms and conditions of the program can be found here.