A New Generation of Scholars Heads to Top Universities: Bakala Foundation Supports Talents Across Disciplines

The Bakala Foundation’s Scholarship program is opening the doors to the world’s most prestigious universities for Czech students for the seventeenth time. This year, a new generation of talented students has been awarded scholarships to pursue degrees in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland, and the United States, spanning a wide range of fields from chemistry and mathematics to social sciences and typography.

Out of 172 applicants who entered this year’s selection process, nine outstanding candidates were selected to receive the scholarship. They will begin their studies primarily in the UK, as well as in the US, Denmark, and Switzerland.

Alongside the traditionally strong representation of STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), talents from the arts and design also succeeded this year. One of the new scholars, violinist Vilém Jirsa, will attend the prestigious The Juilliard School in New York, while another of this year's recipients, Tereza Mikovcová, will continue her studies in biochemistry at Imperial College London. Other academic disciplines are also represented, including mathematics and physics, as well as humanities such as media and communications or typography. Scholars thus demonstrate the incredible breadth of talent among Czech students, ranging from the exact sciences to creative and artistic fields.

"In today's complex world, top-tier education and critical thinking are the best defense against populism and superficiality. Our new scholars are entering global universities at a time of increased pressure on academic institutions and their freedom, which is precisely why I consider supporting talented young people to be one of our most vital investments. I believe that the perspective and experience they gain abroad will give them a firm footing, enabling them to positively shape the future of the Czech Republic and the world, and to carry forward the ideals of education and open-mindedness," adds Michaela Bakala, Bakala Foundation's chairwoman of the Board of Trustees.

Alumni Return to the Czech Republic Over the long term, the Scholarship program demonstrates the profound impact that international education has on Czech society. Alumni from the early years of the program are now active in cutting-edge research, international institutions, technology companies, as well as the public and cultural spheres. Among them is Marie Salomonová, who, after studying neuroscience at the University of Nottingham, co-founded the organization Nevypusť duši (Don't Lose Your Soul), helping to open up the vital conversation about mental health in Czech society. Another Bakala Foundation alumna, Daniela Ratajová, a graduate of Harvard Law School, practiced law before becoming a judge at the District Court for Prague 2. Jan Humplík is also advancing his career; following a research internship at Harvard, he worked at Google DeepMind and is currently founding a robotics-focused tech startup in the United States.

A prominent figure among the early alumni is also Stanislav Fořt, co-founder of the AI startup AISLE, which ranks among the global leaders in its field. He studied physics and mathematics at the University of Cambridge and earned his PhD from Stanford University. He built his extensive experience in Silicon Valley, working at companies such as Google DeepMind and Anthropic, where he focused on the development and safety of advanced AI models, including the Claude system. Today, he leverages this expertise to develop cybersecurity solutions and stands as one of the leading Czech experts in the field of artificial intelligence.

Scholars Primarily Head to the UK Historically, scholars in the program have shown the greatest interest in universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and Imperial College London. In addition to the traditionally strong presence of medicine, natural sciences, and technology, the spectrum of study areas has expanded significantly in recent years to include mathematics and data sciences. Furthermore, scholars are increasingly choosing fields that bridge technology with social issues, or creative disciplines such as design and innovation.

"Every student who gains experience at a prestigious foreign university brings that knowledge back with them. It is not just about studying abroad; it is about how things at home gradually change for the better thanks to these people," adds Václav Pecha, Director of the Foundation.