Members of the EOSC CZ Working Groups Elect Their Representatives Again After Two Years

Working Groups as a Platform for Expert Dialogue

Systematic and high-quality research data management has become a decisive factor in the competitiveness of contemporary science. Since the establishment of EOSC CZ, strong emphasis has been placed on ensuring that the design of the national data infrastructure, services, and tools reflects real research practice and end-user needs.

Over the past years, the EOSC CZ working groups have played a key role in formulating national priorities, designing repository services, and setting rules for research data management. Today, the working groups bring together hundreds of experts from across the Czech Republic, and their work directly influences not only the shape of the national infrastructure but also the position of Czech research within the European Research Area.

The Next Phase and Its Challenges

“At the beginning of 2026, we face an even more demanding challenge: to succeed in international competition, demonstrate the quality of our work, and transform the established research data management infrastructure into a real and lasting impact that enhances the quality of Czech and European research. This will require not only technical and domain expertise—of which Czech institutions have plenty—but above all the ability to collaborate, connect within international communities, and look far beyond the boundaries of individual disciplines and institutions,” says Matej Antol, Project Manager of IPs EOSC‑CZ.

This is precisely why the 2026 elections represent a critical moment, opening space for further development of the working groups and their leadership at a time when decisions about the long-term sustainability of the entire research ecosystem are being made.

Responsibility and Active Engagement

The elections of working group leads are not merely an administrative procedure. They are an opportunity to involve individuals who are ready to work responsibly and actively with their communities.

The aim is to identify candidates who are prepared to lead the working groups, provide direction, energy, and long-term vision. It does not matter whether they are at the beginning of their careers or have decades of experience. What matters is motivation, openness to collaboration, willingness to seek solutions across institutions, and the ability to think within a broader European context.

The goal is to build on the work of current leads and members, further advance Czech research toward data-driven science, and foster an environment in which the Czech Republic will not only remain competitive in the era of digital technologies, data, and artificial intelligence, but will also actively contribute to shaping global science.

Election Process

The 2026 elections will once again take place in an anonymous online format. Electronic voting enables all members of the working groups to participate, regardless of their institutional or geographical affiliation. Every member has the right to submit a candidacy and to vote.

Transparency and proper conduct of the elections are ensured by an election committee composed of working group members and a secretary, who oversee the entire process. Voting is secret and conducted through a secure system using encryption and identity verification to ensure data protection and maintain the trust of all participants.

The elections are valid if at least 30% of registered working group members vote, and a candidate must receive at least 25% of valid votes to be elected.

We will provide regular updates on the preparation of the elections and all subsequent steps on our website.