CU accepts 10 scientists from abroad thanks to SASPRO 2

The successful project of the Slovak Academy of Sciences to fight brain drain has its continuation together with Comenius University and Slovak Technical University. Thanks to the SASPRO 2 project, 40 scientists who are currently working abroad and want to return to their native homeland or who come from other countries and want to do science in Slovakia will be given this opportunity. The first call for scientific talents will be announced today, November 2, 2020, and remains open until March 1, 2021. The first fellows could enter in August 2021.


03. 11. 2020 14.11 hod.
By: CU External Relations Office

An important motivator of the mobility programme is the often discussed problem of brain drain to abroad where better economic conditions are offered. "The SASPRO 2 project will support scientists who want to return from abroad to work in their home country and in their scientific area. It will create suitable and motivating working conditions for them. It will also attract those foreign researchers who want to expand their portfolio by working with our experts," says the Rector of Comenius University, Mr. Marek Stevcek.

The project will improve cooperation between the scientific and applied sectors as well as multidisciplinary approaches to project management. Last but not least, it seeks to deepen the links between SAS, STU and CU, to promote their cooperation with foreign workplaces and to build a network of contacts that facilitates international cooperation. 

"I believe that this ongoing project will become a nuclear germ on which we can build so that our students do not leave, or that those who gain experience abroad will return home," said Mr. Pavol Sajgalik, the President of SAS.

In the first edition of the program, the SAS acquired 38 scientists for work in Slovakia. This time, it will share the capacity of 40 scientists with the two largest Slovak universities. Comenius University will receive 10 scientists through the programme who can apply to any workplace of the university, including Science Park of CU. The condition is a PhD. title or its equivalent, obtained in the last 15 years. An integral part of applications is a research project that the applicant wants to implement in a new workplace. Candidates will be evaluated by a commission composed of independent experts from abroad. The first fellows could begin their work between August and November 2021.

The € 9 million project was submitted by SAS as a part of the Horizon 2020 call for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – COFUND. Each of the universities will accept 10 scientists to their workplaces and the remaining 20 will operate at SAS institutes. The program allows scientists to apply for a working stay lasting between 12 and 36 months, while the science area within which they can apply is not limited.

For more information, please visit the official project website.