The funding may be used, for example, to cover the costs of private preschool or childcare facilities, children's activity centers, private babysitting services, or similar forms of childcare when public childcare services are not available. It may also be used to support travel with a child to an international conference or research stay.
Starting with the 2026 call, applications have been open to researchers from all academic disciplines.
Applications for the 2027 fellowship
Eligibility
The fellowship is open to PhD students and early-career postdoctoral researchers who are the primary caregiver or an equal caregiver of a preschool-aged child and who are actively conducting research at a university or non-university research institution in the Czech Republic.
Applicants from all academic disciplines are eligible.
Applications must be submitted by individuals. Joint applications from partners or spouses are not accepted.
Deadline
Applications for the 2027 fellowship must be submitted by 15 September 2026 (CEST).
Application requirements
Applications must be submitted in English and include the following documents:
- Description of your family situation and the intended use of the fellowship. – This document must include a declaration that you are not receiving comparable family or return-to-research support from your employer or another institution or organization. If you are receiving such support, please specify its purpose, conditions, and amount. It must also include a declaration that you are the child's primary caregiver or an equal caregiver. If you share caregiving responsibilities equally with your partner, please describe how care is shared and to what extent. (maximum 600 words)
- Research and professional activity plan for 2027 (maximum 500 words)
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of selected publications and conference presentations (approximately two pages)
- Letter of recommendation from your PhD supervisor or direct supervisor. The letter should preferably confirm the key information provided in the application.
How to apply
Applications are accepted in two disciplinary branches:
- Applications in natural sciences and engineering should be submitted by email to: pgmr-nat@iocbfoundation.cz.
- Applications in the humanities and social sciences should be submitted by email to: pgmr-humsoc@iocbfoundation.cz.
Each applicant may submit only one application and must choose one of the two branches. If your research is interdisciplinary or could reasonably fall within either branch, it is up to you which branch you choose for your application.
Evaluation and selection
Applications are evaluated by expert committees established for each disciplinary branch.
The Foundation's Board makes the final decision on the award of fellowships based on the recommendations of the evaluation committees. The Board's decision is final and cannot be appealed.
All applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful, will be notified individually of the outcome, usually at the beginning of November.
Fellowship payments
The fellowship stipend of CZK 150,000 is paid in two instalments. The first instalment (50% of the total amount) is paid in January. The second instalment is paid in July upon submission and approval of an interim report.
Reporting
Fellows are required to submit an interim report by mid-July describing how the fellowship has been used and the progress achieved. Submission of this report is a prerequisite for receiving the second instalment.
A final report must be submitted by the end of January of the following year.
Contact
- Applications (Natural sciences and engineering): pgmr-nat@iocbfoundation.cz
- Applications (Humanities and social sciences): pgmr-humsoc@iocbfoundation.cz
- General enquiries: info@iocbfoundation.cz