Between 2007-2013 the Czech Republic has gained a unique opportunity to invest up to CZK 700 billion from EU structural funds into infrastructure development and human resources. While the European Regional Development Fund focuses more on investment in physical infrastructure, the European Social Fund finances investments in human resources, mainly education and social sectors. The policy of economic and social cohesion aims to compensate for significant economic disparities between regions, support job creation and sustainable development and so it is understandable that investment in science and research is one of its logical components. Unfortunately, a considerable number of research institutions, including the IEM ASCR, are based in Prague, which is, being an economically advanced region in terms of the possibility of EU structural funding, significantly limited, thus the vast majority of funds is focused to other Czech regions.
Despite this fact, the IEM ASCR is maximizing the opportunities that the Structural Funds for the CR offer. An internal system of monitoring, evaluation and implementation of projects has been created, aimed both at the development and technical improvement of physical infrastructure for research and innovations as well as for education, the popularization of interesting research topics and the development of human resources. For example, the new Innovation Biomedical Centre now operates as a business incubator and training center for small businesses translating the research results of the Institute into clinical practice.
A project focused on the popularization of modern therapies, tissue engineering, and especially the therapeutic use of stem cells was implemented followed by an educational project aimed at expanding and broadening the knowledge of researchers in the areas of preclinical and clinical testing and biomedical products quality control. The Institute, in cooperation with other research institutes and Charles University, is involved in the BIOCEV project preparation, including a follow-up project aimed to prepare new research groups for the BIOCEV, and a new Research Center of Cell Therapy and Tissue Repair is being completed.
Despite this fact, the IEM ASCR is maximizing the opportunities that the Structural Funds for the CR offer. An internal system of monitoring, evaluation and implementation of projects has been created, aimed both at the development and technical improvement of physical infrastructure for research and innovations as well as for education, the popularization of interesting research topics and the development of human resources. For example, the new Innovation Biomedical Centre now operates as a business incubator and training center for small businesses translating the research results of the Institute into clinical practice.
A project focused on the popularization of modern therapies, tissue engineering, and especially the therapeutic use of stem cells was implemented followed by an educational project aimed at expanding and broadening the knowledge of researchers in the areas of preclinical and clinical testing and biomedical products quality control. The Institute, in cooperation with other research institutes and Charles University, is involved in the BIOCEV project preparation, including a follow-up project aimed to prepare new research groups for the BIOCEV, and a new Research Center of Cell Therapy and Tissue Repair is being completed.The project UFIREG (Ultrafine Particles – an evidence based contribution to the development of regional and European environmental and health policy) is funded by European Regional Development Fund Financing Programme Central Europe. Pollution by ultrafine particles will be measured in five European cities (Dresden, Augsburg, Prague, Ljubljana and Chernivtsi) and its impact on human health will be analyzed. The goal of the project is to contribute to the improvement of air quality in Europe and to the protection of human health. IEM AS CR., v.v.i. and the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute are the Prague partners of UFIREG.
More information about each project is available here.
Jan Prokšík, MSc.
EU Project Manager
More information about each project is available here.
Jan Prokšík, MSc. EU Project Manager
mail: proksik@biomed.cas.cz
