Are you studying at Palacký University and have your own vision? Do you want to try leading your own scientific or artistic project? Or improve your presentation skills? There is nothing easier: apply to the 8th call of the UP Endowment Fund (UP EF) from 13 February to 31 March 2023 and ask for support!
“Since its establishment in 2015, the UP Endowment Fund has found a firm place in the activities of our university. Compared to other universities in the Czech Republic, it is a unique project – not only in terms of supporting the scientific and academic careers of students, but also in terms of the way it is implemented. A student can receive up to €8,500 for a project; the UP EF Board of Trustees decides which project receives support and in what amount. We support students from all faculties and from all scientific and artistic disciplines. This year, we’re introducing a new indicator: the applications will also be assessed in terms of their applicability in practice,” said Jiří Rudolf, director of the UP Endowment Fund.
Those interested in how to properly apply for support without omitting anything may attend a webinar on Thursday 23 February via the Zoom platform, and there is no need to register. The link is here.
The UP Endowment Fund, whose general partner is Komerční banka (Commercial Bank), has supported several dozen students throughout the years. It has not only given them a unique opportunity to bring their scientific and artistic ideas to life without unnecessary bureaucracy, but has also helped them, through various workshops, to expand their skills such as working with media and presenting their results. The supported students have a number of ways to use the financial contribution – ranging from airfare to literature, technical equipment, and accommodation during an internship at a workplace abroad.
“First of all, the Endowment Fund helped me realise my project. Thanks to the contribution, I was able to purchase equipment that helped me a lot in the practical implementation of my work, which I appreciate very much. I also gained more confidence and courage thanks to this support. I had the opportunity to develop my communication skills and participated in the international science popularisation competition FameLab – Talking Science, where I reached the Czech finals. I have to thank my UP EF coordinator Katrin Stark, who provided me with both moral and technical support. Based on my own experience, I recommend applying and seeking support. It is a great experience for a budding scientist, and also an opportunity to develop further,” said Marie Pražáková from the Faculty of Science, who was a UP EF scholarship holder twice, in 2020 and 2022.
All information about the Palacký University Endowment Fund, including a list of students supported in previous years and their documented experiences, can be found on the website www.fond.upol.cz.
The UP Endowment Fund supports international projects by domestic and foreign students of Master’s and doctoral study programmes. It is based on the presumption that experience and knowledge gained from outstanding international workplaces abroad will help the growth of the entire university. The fund wants to contribute to the solution of civilisational, technological, health, social, and environmental problems.