RIS3 highlights the key findings of SCI-PO 2026: Czech science depends on its people
The RIS3 portal has published an article highlighting the main findings of SCI-PO 2026, a conference focused on one of the most important challenges facing Czech research and innovation: how to identify, develop and retain talented people. The article looks at the Czech research and innovation system from the perspective of human capital and highlights the conditions that shape scientific careers — from education and early talent development to internationalisation, leadership and the working environment in research institutions.
The article points to several challenges discussed at the conference. Czechia has talented people, but often struggles to retain them at key stages of their careers. The demographic outlook makes this challenge increasingly urgent, while Czech universities still have considerable room to improve their international openness. The conference also highlighted barriers affecting women in research, regional inequalities in talent development and the importance of supportive and inspiring educational environments. At the same time, examples such as the Talent project, Mathematical Olympiad, Invenio diagnostic system and the Open Science programme of the Czech Academy of Sciences demonstrate that effective approaches to identifying and nurturing talent already exist. The article concludes that if Czechia is to remain competitive in research and innovation, investment in people and their development must be treated with the same importance as investment in research infrastructure.
RIS3 is the information portal supporting the Czech Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation. It provides information, data, analyses, news and examples related to research, development and innovation in Czechia and is aimed at researchers, universities and research organisations, businesses, public authorities and other actors involved in the Czech research and innovation ecosystem. The portal is operated under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Read the full article in Czech on the RIS3 portal:
SCI‑PO 2026: Česká věda stojí na lidech. Konference ukázala, kde talenty vznikají — a kde se ztrácejí