Dean´s Measure D134a

on Faculty Doctoral Positions

Version 1.0 issued on the 7th of May 2026

Č.j.: JU/2026/012632 

This Dean’s measure sets out the rules for the open call for faculty doctoral positions funded by the Faculty of Science of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (hereinafter referred to as the „FSci USB “) for applicants from other faculties and universities, outside the FSci USB.

Article I
Announcement of the Call and Number of Supported Positions

For the summer admissions process to four-year doctoral study programs in 2026, the FSci USB is announcing a competition for a faculty doctoral position fully funded by the FSci USB. The application deadlines for the call coincide with the application deadlines for the admissions process to four-year doctoral study programs, namely 20 May 2026. The prescribed form of the planned dissertation project will state as the method of financing: “Competition for faculty doctoral positions financed from the funds of the FSci USB.”

The applicant will be informed in writing of the outcome of the competition by the Vice-Dean for Doctoral Studies no later than two days prior to the date of the admissions procedure for the relevant doctoral program.

Article II
Funding of Faculty Doctoral Positions

Each faculty doctoral position is funded annually through a separate budget, which ensures the monthly payment of the student’s stipend at the level of the guaranteed doctoral income (DOSTUP) in accordance with the valid faculty measure and Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on Higher Education Institutions. The budget also includes an amount intended to cover expenses related to the dissertation project, particularly costs for services, materials, and travel expenses. The amount allocated for the dissertation project is CZK 100,000 per year, of which CZK 80,000 is covered by the FSci USB budget and CZK 20,000 represents the financial contribution of the department where the dissertation project is carried out. Funding for the faculty doctoral position is provided for a maximum of the standard study period, i.e., 48 months. Funds intended for the dissertation project are managed similarly to individual GAJU grants.

Article III
Conditions for Participation in the Competition

Eligible applicants are current master’s students and graduates who completed their degree within 12 months prior to the competition announcement, regardless of where the degree was obtained.

The condition for participation in the competition is that:

• the applicant applies to a doctoral study program accredited by the FSci USB
• the applicant’s future supervisor is a permanent employee of the FSci USB and meets the requirements for supervisors according to the valid internal regulations of the USB

The applicant must be nominated by the head of the department/institute of the FSci USB where the dissertation will be completed. The nomination expresses the professional and institutional support of the dissertation project from the department.

The application includes a statement from the future supervisor who shall:

• provide a brief overview of their current and recent grant activities
• commit to regularly submitting grant applications through FSci USB, which must also include financial support for the doctoral student, if the rules of the relevant competition allow it, until their successful implementation, i.e. obtaining financial support (e.g. GAČR, TAČR, NAZV, ERC, AZV, Horizon programs, etc.)

In the event of obtaining grant support, a student funded for a faculty doctoral position is obliged to transfer to funding from this grant project. If the supervisor’s grant support is obtained only in the fourth year of study of a faculty-funded doctoral student, this obligation can be waived if the supervisor intends to accept another doctoral student.

Article IV
Mandatory Application Requirements

The application submitted through IS STAG as a student request to the dean must include:

• A structured CV of an applicant for a doctoral position, which includes academic results, publication activity, professional skills, other involvement in activities at the university and its faculty studied or graduated from, volunteer or other relevant activities.
• A one-page annotation of the planned dissertation project defining objectives, methods, and expected contribution, reflecting the budget of the faculty doctoral position, available RVO funds, and a plan for obtaining additional financial resources (e.g., individual GAJU grants, mobility support, etc.).
• A nomination from the head of the department confirming the department’s support, including a written commitment to financial co-participation in the amount of CZK 20,000 per year.
• A supporting statement from the supervisor assessing the applicant’s potential and the dissertation project. Description of the supervisor’s workplace and its facilities, their involvement in organizational and other activities at FSci USB, a brief history of grants obtained by the supervisor, and a commitment to submitting grant proposals as stated above.
• A specific proposal for pedagogical involvement in teaching for at least 26 hours per academic year, including specific courses in which the applicant could participate as a teaching assistant or in a mentory role.

Article V
Evaluation Committee and Assessment Process

Applications are evaluated by a committee composed of the chairs of the Board of Specialists of individual doctoral study programs. The guarantor of the doctoral study program to which the applicant is applying does not participate in the evaluation of applicants for their own program. Each committee member scores all applicants except for the stated restriction, and the final ranking of applicants is determined by the sum of points.

Article VI
Obligations of the Supported Doctoral Student

The supported doctoral student is required to properly fulfil their individual study plan and submit a brief annual report on the use of funds for scientific activities, similar to GAJU projects. Part of the obligations includes pedagogical involvement in the minimum scope specified in the competition application. Support is provided for the period during which the dissertation project is not funded under a larger grant project of the supervisor, but no longer than the standard duration of doctoral studies. In the event of serious non-compliance with the individual study plan, the subject-area board may propose withdrawal of support and a corresponding reduction of the guaranteed doctoral income.

Article VII
Final Provisions

This measure enters into force on the date of its issuance.

In České Budějovice 7^th of May 2026

prof. RNDr. František Vácha, Ph.D.
Dean of the FSci USB