The Czech Republic – Research powered by talent

The Czech Republic continues to build on its strong research and innovation potential. The cooperation between business and research institutions has increased and legislation is underway to simplify and further boost R&D as a vital part of the economy.

The Czech government has succeeded in increasing the public spending on research and development for 2025. This marks a change after years of budget stagnation. The 1, 7 billion EUR budget of 2025 will further support the well-being of research organisations through the relative increase in institutional funding. The private sector expenditure on research remains stable, with expectations for growth in the future.

The Czech Republic boasts a network of high-quality scientific facilities, and the number and quality of its research centres makes it one of the EU´s leaders. European research infrastructures have undergone significant development in the last 20 years, notably in their increasingly global character. They now serve as hubs for national, European as well as international cooperation, providing the necessary environment for unique experiments and serving as sources of knowledge for organisations across international borders based on the principle of open access. The Czech Republic is proud to be able to provide both Czech and foreign researchers with state-of-the-art equipment and aims to further bolster its capabilities in this area.

Both the Office of the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation and the Research, Development and Innovation Council continue to support the R&D system in strengthening its capacity to respond effectively to trends as well as unexpected risks and threats. To that aim, they are adopting several measures, including the new Methodology of Research Evaluation (Methodology 2025+), intended to promote applied research and improve merit-based research evaluation. More importantly, a major new law on research replacing outdated legislation is in the process of adoption by parliament. Its enactment is expected to simplify knowledge transfer, reduce overall bureaucracy, and improve the working conditions of scientists.

As mentioned above, the international dimension of scientific research is of utmost importance. The involvement of respected foreign scientists in Czech research institutions plays a crucial role. In coordination with the RD&I Council, we have placed strong emphasis on science diplomacy to highlight the role of the Czech Republic as an active supporter of cooperation between the public and private sectors, including foreign investment. The fact that research in the Czech Republic now employs over 85 thousand people further underlines this necessity.

But the government´s support does not end there. In the age of rapidly evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum computing, the need for strategically focused research is paramount. In line with the state investment policy, companies engaged in R&D-related business receive investment incentives. The R&D ecosystem is also supported by the Innovation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2019-2030 that serves as a strategic framework. Furthermore, science and research are among the declared priorities of the current government, which is reflected in the increase of the research budget as well as in the aforementioned new legislation. Support for research infrastructures is also significant, with an awareness of the necessity of connecting them with innovative private companies in the private sector.

Czech industry must take advantage of the strategic trends currently taking the global economy by storm. Advancements in AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, robotics, and other areas present clear opportunities to strengthen the country´s international competitiveness. This can be achieved by building on the country´s already strong industrial basis and supporting the growth of national start-up and spin-off environment. 

Opportunities in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is home to numerous outstanding research organizations and university research teams, which are increasingly contributing to the advancement of research quality. These centers are focused on achieving long-term excellence, attracting top international scientists, and becoming appealing partners for private innovation firms, which are expected to play a greater role in their operations and funding. In turn, research facilities provide cutting-edge technological expertise aligned with the global scientific landscape. This infrastructure presents valuable opportunities for forming international consortia or fostering other collaborative efforts where businesses, both large and small, can partner with research institutes and universities.