One of the main commitments of NICR (National Institute for Cancer Research) is – aside from developing excellent cancer research – also its integration into national biomedical ‘macro-environment’ with overlaps into healthcare, education, and creation of public policies in collaboration with state institutions, as well as coordination of research capacities in the Czech Republic. The goal of NICR is to overcome the long-term fragmentation of cancer research and create a functional national platform that connects universities, academic institutions, hospitals, and state administration.
NICR also aims at making sure that research results do not just stay in the academic sphere: its goal is to make sure that they are reflected in clinical recommendations, organisation of care, education of experts, and in strategic documents. Our experts participate in expert boards, consultation bodies, and workgroups both on national and European level.
NICR supports mutual connections between research institutions, university hospitals, and centres of comprehensive cancer care. This facilitates a faster transfer of new findings into cancer prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. NICR also helps organise specialised conferences, educational events, and networking activities aimed at a whole range of target groups. Its aim is to link basic and applied research with clinical practice and the public sector.
An important aspect of our project is the support of creation, operation, and sharing of research infrastructures, technologies, and know-how across institutions, thereby increasing the effectivity of use of public resources and ultimately contributing to the competitiveness of Czech cancer research.
To venture somewhat beyond the horizon of our institute: NICR, the National Institute for Research on the Socioeconomic Impacts of Diseases and Systemic Risks (SYRI), the National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology (NIVB), and the National Institute for Neurological Research (NEUR-IN) have declared in a joint memorandum their interest in stimulating mutual collaboration and linking their research topics by joint activities, including the sharing of scientific results, technologies, and scientific capacities. They will issue joint statements and recommendations to the state authorities pertaining to areas of their shared research interest. Leaders of individual projects will use the multidisciplinary potential of the EXCELES programme as an opportunity to identify common problems with science management and help formulate proposals for their possible solution.