July 23, 2026
We have reached another important step in the HR Award process! In early July, we successfully submitted the documentation for the Interim Review to the European Commission. The submitted documentation also includes the updated Action Plan for the 2026–2028 period. “It builds on what we have already achieved in the previous periods and introduces specific new priorities that we will focus on in the coming years,” explains Alena Nováková, Head of the Project Department at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics.
What’s New in the Action Plan 2026–2028?
- Club of Young Researchers
Establishing a platform for formal and informal meetings of PhD students and Postdocs, enabling experience sharing and smoother integration of early-career researchers. - Institute-wide Trainings on IT Security and AI Use
Regular institute-wide training sessions focused on skill development in IT security and the effective, safe use of artificial intelligence. - Formal Position of PR Officer and Internal Communication
Incorporating the PR officer position into the organizational structure to significantly improve internal communication (employee newsletters) and the institute’s public presentation. - Evaluation Criteria for Employees
Updating and refining guidelines for the Evaluation Committee to ensure evaluation criteria are clear, transparent, and accessible to everyone on the intranet. - Development of Open Science and FAIR Data Principles
Reviewing internal regulations regarding Open Science, supporting Open Access publishing, and the planned introduction of the Data Steward role. - Streamlining IT Procedures and Rules
Clearly defining competencies in the IT area, issuing user-friendly instructions for various situations, and raising awareness of IT security. - Award for Young Researchers
Introducing an official institute award for early-career researchers for outstanding publication results as a way to motivate and recognize their work.
Submitting the Action Plan is not the end of the process. “In the coming months, we are expecting a Site Visit by assessors from the European Commission. They will assess on-site how the HR Award principles work in our daily operations and whether we are effectively meeting our commitments,“ explains Alena Nováková. The visit will also include interviews with pre-selected employees across various departments and positions (from PhD students and researchers to administrative staff).
View the complete Action Plan 2026–2028 (PDF)