WWith participation from representatives of fourteen leading Czech universities, research institutions and innovative companies, a mission to Canada was held in September to reinforce collaboration in life sciences, biotechnology, engineering, automation and advanced manufacturing. The delegation met with leading Canadian universities, technology centres and hospitals to establish foundations for new strategic partnerships under Pillar II of Horizon Europe.
The mission aimed to facilitate Czech participation in Horizon Europe, especially under Pillar II (Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness), to which Canada became fully associated last year.This association allows Czech institutions not only to join international consortia, but also to lead them—substantially expanding access to funding for forefront research and innovation.
This programme marks a milestone in Czech strategy for the internationalisation of research and innovation. The Czech delegation not only built valuable contacts but also drew inspiration from Canadian models of technology transfer, academia-industry collaboration and building a robust innovation ecosystem.
Delegates from Charles University in Prague, the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Brno University of Technology, Technical University of Liberec and University of Hradec Králové travelled to Canada. Research organisations were represented by the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the University Hospital in Hradec Králové. The mission also included firms such as Amires, Betthera and Intemac, together with representatives of the Central Bohemian Innovation Center.
CzechInvest and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Toronto organised two networking events for the mission participants, enabling dozens of Czech and Canadian experts, academics and industry stakeholders to connect. Each event offered opportunities to exchange experiences and initiate concrete Horizon Europe projects, bilateral collaborations and sustained academic partnerships.
The five-day programme spanned Ontario and Alberta. Institutions visited included:
- University of Waterloo – widely recognised as one of Canada’s most innovative universities
- McMaster University – a leader in engineering and life sciences with its own research reactor
- Toronto Metropolitan University – known for applied research, industry collaboration, and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems
- University of Alberta – prominent globally in energy, engineering, natural sciences and medicine
- University Health Network – a leader in transplantation, cardiovascular care and AI/robotics in medicine
- Amii Institute – among Canada’s premier AI research centres already partnering with Czech entities
In today’s geopolitical and economic context, missions such as this are strategically pivotal. Horizon Europe offers Czech and Canadian partners a platform for shared long-term, high-impact solutions and sustainable joint research initiatives.