The National Institute for Cancer Research (NICR) brings together teams working across different areas of cancer research at 11 institutions in Prague, Brno and Olomouc. Established in 2022 as the largest academic oncology project in the Czech Republic to date, it aims to overcome the fragmentation of Czech cancer research and create the conditions for systematic collaboration across institutions and disciplines.
During its first project period, supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports through the EXCELES programme under the Czech Recovery Plan, NICR succeeded in building a functioning nationwide network and, above all, a new culture of collaboration. Research teams work together on projects, share technologies, research infrastructures and expertise, and create better conditions for translating new findings into practice. This has created an environment that makes better use of the potential of Czech cancer research and strengthens its international competitiveness.
The successful completion of the first project phase paved the way for the consortium’s further development. Since 2026, NICR has continued into its sustainability period while also receiving support from the Ministry of Health under Subprogramme 4 – Support for National Authorities in Priority Areas of Health Research.
This enables NICR to build on its achievements in the years ahead and continue strengthening its role as the national authority for cancer research. Greater emphasis will be placed on systematic support for scientific talent, more active patient involvement and collaboration with patient organisations. NICR will also strengthen its educational activities, public communication and expert support for public administration.
3 hubs (Prague, Brno, and Olomouc) connect 11 excellent research institutions in oncology:
The Prague node
The National Institute for Cancer Research project (No. LX22NPO5102) is currently in its sustainability period, which will end on December 31, 2028. Its main coordinator is the First Faculty of Medicine of the Charles University. The project was funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the National Recovery Plan via Programme of Support of Excellent Research in Priority Areas of Public Interest in Healthcare – EXCELES of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic.