Bakala Foundation Grants CTU $1M to Bring Top Scientists to Prague

Thanks to a $1 million donation from the Bakala Foundation, the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) is establishing a unique academic position: the CTU-Bakala Distinguished Chair. Inspired by elite global universities such as MIT and Harvard, this philanthropic initiative aims to attract renowned international figures to CTU and transform it into a world-class scientific hub.

The CTU-Bakala Distinguished Chair position will be filled by an internationally recognized scholar selected through an open global search. Both partners expect this landmark collaboration to significantly boost CTU's international prestige, advance the domestic academic environment, and enhance the global competitiveness of the Czech scientific, research, and innovation ecosystem.

The collaboration with the Bakala Foundation aligns with CTU leadership's vision to elevate the university's academic standards to the highest global level and open academia to private philanthropy.

"This program is designed for senior research leaders in the most productive phase of their careers, who will bring not only top-level expertise to the Czech environment, but also international networks and a culture of scientific excellence. The partnership with the Bakala Foundation will help CTU reach the level of leading Anglo-Saxon universities," adds Prof. Michal Pěchouček, Rector of CTU.

The Bakala Foundation chose CTU in part due to its long-standing collaboration with Rector Michal Pěchouček, who serves on the expert committee for its Scholarship program. This new initiative builds directly on that successful project, which funds studies for top Czech talent at elite universities worldwide.

"We are expanding our philosophy from supporting gifted students to building top-tier research capacity right here in the Czech Republic," says Michaela Bakala, Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Foundation founder Zdeněk Bakala adds: "Czech higher education and science deserve far greater support than they have received so far. CTU is the oldest technical university in Europe, boasting a rich history that includes many prominent scientists who studied or taught there. I see enormous, untapped potential in the institution, and I wish the team led by Michal Pěchouček every success in turning CTU into a magnet for top global scientific talent and transforming it into a world-class science and innovation hub."

The Bakala Distinguished Chair program is designed as a three-year initiative with a total budget of nearly $1.5 million. The Bakala Foundation is donating $1 million to cover salaries, doctoral fellowships, research startup costs, and overhead. The remaining approximately $460,000 will be provided by CTU through co-financing and institutional support.

The global search for leading scientific talent will focus on priority fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, robotics, and sustainable energy. The selected appointee is expected to assume the role in March 2027 and begin building a new research group.