The Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) has officially launched its participation in the international project BRITE-EU – Boosting R&I Talent Interoperability and Employability in Europe, funded under the Horizon Europe programme. Two CTU units are involved in the project: the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) and the Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies (MIAS CTU). The CIIRC CTU team includes Lenka Lhotská and Michal Huptych, both from the Department of Cognitive Systems and Neuroscience. The project has own website: https://brite-project.eu/
The Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) has officially joined the international project BRITE-EU (Boosting R&I Talent Interoperability and Employability in Europe), funded by the Horizon Europe programme. Two CTU units are involved in the project: the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) and the Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies (MIAS).
From CIIRC CTU, the project involves Associate Professor Lenka Lhotská and Michal Huptych from the Department of Cognitive Systems and Neuroscience. The MIAS team is also participating, namely Professor Zuzana Dvořáková and Ing. Petra Jílková.
The aim of BRITE-EU is to strengthen the skills and competencies of research and innovation (R&I) professionals through systematic collaboration between academia and industry. The project is based on the so-called quadruple-helix model, which connects researchers, businesses, public authorities, and other stakeholders into functional innovation ecosystems. This approach supports faster transfer of research results into practice.
Special attention is given to so-called Widening countries, i.e. those with lower performance in research and innovation. The project aims to reduce regional disparities, limit brain drain, promote equal opportunities including gender equality, and increase the attractiveness of these countries for top talent.
BRITE-EU also responds to current European policy priorities such as open science, researcher mobility, and capacity building. In its initial phase, the consortium focuses on digital health, an area where it has strong expertise.
CTU’s key role in the project
CTU plays an important role throughout all phases of the project. In the initial stage, it is responsible for the analytical component, including mapping the needs, opportunities, and capacities of research and innovation ecosystems in Widening countries. Based on consultations, audits, and regional analyses, the team prepares detailed inputs for subsequent project activities.
In the next phase, CTU acts both as a sending institution for early-career researchers undertaking placements at partner organisations abroad, and as a host and mentoring institution for incoming international researchers. In this way, it actively supports skills development, international collaboration, and stronger links between academia and practice.
In the final phase, CTU will focus on transferring project results into long-term practice and supporting institutional changes that ensure sustainable use of the knowledge and experience gained.
International collaboration and project launch
The BRITE-EU project was launched in January 2026 and officially kicked off with a consortium meeting in Porto, Portugal, attended by all partners. The meeting focused on aligning project goals, planned activities, and coordination across work packages.
The consortium brings together 11 partners from across Europe, including universities, research organisations, and innovation centres. The project is coordinated by the University of Porto.
CTU’s involvement, together with CIIRC and MIAS, confirms the university’s long-term commitment to contributing to the development of the European Research Area, supporting international collaboration, and advancing innovation with significant societal impact.
The BRITE-EU project was launched in January 2026 and formally kicked off with a consortium meeting held in Porto, Portugal, attended by all project partners. The meeting focused on aligning the project’s objectives, planned activities, and collaboration management across individual work packages, laying a solid foundation for effective coordination of international cooperation.
BRITE-EU brings together 11 partners from across Europe, forming a strong international consortium that connects universities, research organizations, and innovation centers. The project is coordinated by the University of Porto and aims to strengthen research and innovation capacities in so-called Widening countries by enhancing employability and supporting talent interoperability in research and innovation, with a particular focus on digital health.
CTU’s involvement, together with CIIRC and MIAS, reaffirms the university’s long-term commitment to actively contributing to the development of the European Research Area, fostering international collaboration, and advancing innovation with meaningful societal impact.
