The MERIT Programme has made significant strides in its technical and scientific implementation, successfully carrying out activities across multiple work packages. MERIT has successfully executed its objectives set for the first reporting period by selecting 30 outstanding research projects through two international calls. This initiative has significantly enhanced the scientific capacity in the Central Bohemia Region, providing a strong foundation for the ongoing success of the research fellows and the broader scientific impact of the programme. The following section provides an overview of the main achievements in the launch of the Programme, evaluation and selection process, research fellowship recruitment, and scientific impact.
1. Launch of the MERIT website and Kick-off Meeting
The first phase of the MERIT Programme included the establishment of its digital and operational infrastructure. The MERIT website (www.meritcb.eu) was launched early in the programme, serving as a central platform for communication, application submissions, and programme updates. The website played a crucial role in ensuring visibility and accessibility for researchers worldwide, providing detailed information about the programme’s objectives, eligibility criteria, and application guidelines.
To officially launch the programme and foster collaboration among participating institutions, the kick-off meeting was held on February, 2023 (M2), at the premises of one of the Host organisations. The event brought together representatives from 51 partner organisations, including 15 implementing partners, universities, research institutions, and industry representatives. During the meeting, the MERIT Management Board presented the programme’s structure, outlined the selection process, and discussed the timeline of upcoming calls. The event provided an opportunity for networking and strengthening partnerships, laying the groundwork for effective implementation and long-term research collaborations.
2. Evaluation and Selection of Research Fellows
The MERIT Programme implemented a rigorous and transparent evaluation and selection process across its two calls, ensuring that only the most promising research projects were funded.
Calls dissemination:
The MERIT Programme effectively disseminated its calls through a multi-channel strategy, leveraging job portals such as EURAXESS, ResearchJobs.cz and Academic Positions, as well as social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to maximize outreach. Additionally, targeted email campaigns were conducted through international research networks, embassies, and consortium partners, ensuring broad visibility among researchers worldwide. The programme also promoted its calls at strategic conferences and institutional websites, successfully attracting top-tier applicants from diverse scientific disciplines.
Call 1 (April – July 2023)
The first call of the programme attracted 67 applications, out of which 38 were deemed eligible following an extensive eligibility check. To ensure a robust and fair selection process, the Steering and Redress Committees were established, providing oversight and resolving potential issues in the selection procedure.
A pool of 160 international evaluators was recruited, comprising experts in various research domains relevant to MERIT. Each proposal underwent a written evaluation conducted by a panel of three experts—two external and one internal—who assessed the scientific merit of each project. Additionally, gender assessments were incorporated into the evaluation framework to ensure diversity and equality in the selection process.
Following the written evaluation, 24 candidates who met the 75% evaluation threshold were invited for oral interviews conducted online. These interviews provided an opportunity to assess the candidates' scientific expertise, communication skills, and leadership potential.
An ethics review was conducted on all funded projects, and no serious ethical concerns were identified. Based on the final rankings, 13 fellows were awarded funding, and all of them began their fellowships within the first reporting period.
Call 2 (January – April 2024)
The second call of the programme saw a total of 57 applications, with 51 meeting the eligibility criteria. The evaluation process followed the same rigorous framework as the first call, with each proposal being assessed by three experts (two external and one internal) in a written evaluation phase. The gender assessment approach was further refined and integrated into the evaluation methodology.
Out of the 51 eligible proposals, 34 met the minimum threshold of 75%, advancing to the oral interview stage. A total of 30 interviews were conducted, assessing candidates based on their scientific discussions, research alignment, and leadership potential.
Following the selection process, 17 fellows were awarded research funding. While the majority are set to begin their research in the upcoming period, three of the selected fellows commenced their fellowships within the first reporting period. Similar to the first call, an ethics review was performed, and no serious ethical concerns were identified in the selected projects.
To enhance the quality of research evaluations, comprehensive briefings were provided to evaluators. These training sessions focused on evaluation criteria, unconscious bias awareness, and the integration of gender dimensions in research assessment.
To maintain transparency, all evaluations were recorded within the MERIT online system, allowing for thorough documentation and clear, traceable decision-making processes.
3. Technical and Scientific Implementation
The MERIT Programme successfully recruited researchers across diverse, high-impact scientific domains, thereby strengthening research excellence in the Central Bohemia Region.
The selected fellows are conducting research in the following key scientific fields:
• Biotechnology & Biomedicine, with studies focusing on structural proteins, neuroscience, microbial metabolomics, and molecular ecology.
• Laser Technologies, where researchers are working on advanced laser development and its industrial applications.
• Space Technologies, covering interplanetary matter and solar physics research.
• Sustainable Energy & Materials, focusing on additive manufacturing and the development of energy-efficient materials.
• Digitalization & AI, with projects addressing climate variability modeling and AI applications in ecology.
A total of 15 different research organisations across the Central Bohemia Region have been selected as host institutions for the MERIT fellows.
