Supporting Young Researchers: Comenius University Allocates a Record Sum Through its CU Grants Scheme
Bratislava, 16 April 2024 – For the twenty-ninth time, Comenius University Bratislava (CU) has awarded CU Grants. This year, CU supported 205 out of the 401 submitted projects.
Each project will receive funding from the CU Development Fund, with funds available for use until 15 December 2025. To promote the work of young researchers, the grant amount for Group A projects was increased by as much as 25%.
As in previous years, the Faculty of Natural Sciences came first in both the number of submitted and supported projects. It submitted 96 grant applications, 49 of which were approved, receiving a total of €59,850. The Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics received funding for 38 projects out of 74 submissions, with total funding of €45,800. The Faculty of Medicine came third, having submitted 60 projects, of which 31 were approved for a total of €38,750.
One of CU Grants recipients this year is Filip Janák from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, whose project explores the structure of the Milky Way's disc, focusing specifically on the galactic warp and flare. According to the project, better understanding of these structures has great potential to improve our knowledge of galactic and cosmic evolution, refine cosmological models, and provide new evidence relating to the long-standing issue of "missing" mass in the universe.
Dušan Gold from the Faculty of Natural Sciences received a grant for his project on the use of mobile network location data in spatial analysis. His work focuses on defining and analysing the phenomenon of weekend locations in Slovakia, comparing population behaviour during the working week and at weekends.
Another recipient, Daša Švecová from the Faculty of Education, is studying the emotional responses of pupils with autism spectrum disorders during physical education and sport classes. Her research will offer practical recommendations for teachers, specialists, and parents, helping to increase participation of these pupils in physical education and foster a more inclusive learning environment.
In the field of the humanities, Fátima del Rosario Tec Pool from the Faculty of Arts received a grant for a project documenting the motifs of rock art in the Kaua cave in Yucatán, Mexico, using LiDAR technology. The project will result in a catalogue of the paintings, including a typology of the motifs and a proposed timeline of their development.
“It has been nearly thirty years since the leadership of Comenius University began supporting the creative scientific work of the young staff of our alma mater through its own grant scheme. This initiative allows them to gain experience in submitting research projects, carrying them out, and managing them. We see this type of grant competition as the most effective way to develop the essential skills of early-career researchers, which is why we intend to continue supporting and promoting it as much as possible,” said CU Rector Marek Števček.
CU Grants support scientific, educational, and artistic projects led by internal doctoral students. They serve to partially or fully cover the financial costs of research projects. The Rector of Comenius University awards the grants for one calendar year based on the recommendations of the CU Grant Committee, appointed by the Rector. The scheme is managed by the Office for Research and Doctoral Studies of the Rectorate.
Further information on CU Grants