Mini-projects and opinion of the working group

Mini-projects

Mini-projects are one of the important outputs of the Open Science II project and are defined as a set of activities implemented with the goal of involving a wider target group, especially research communities, in the activities necessary for the functioning of the National Data Infrastructure (NDI). The key areas on which mini-projects focus are, in particular, the FAIRification of research data, metadata and repositories, ensuring the standardization and compatibility of systems, and the interconnection of various data technologies.

The goal is to involve a wider target group in the activities of the Open Science II project – in particular in ensuring the FAIRification of research data, metadata and repositories, ensuring the standardization/compatibility and interconnection of systems, and other activities necessary for the functioning of the NDI.

Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants must be entities that meet the definition of a research and knowledge dissemination organization under the Framework for State Aid for Research, Development and Innovation (2022/C 414/01), with the following legal form:

public research institutions;
public universities;
other legal entities.

Beneficiaries or partners that receive a financial contribution from the Open Science II project are also eligible applicants for this call.

Calls

Pilot round

The pilot round was implemented before submission of the application for support of the Open Science II project (reg. no. CZ.02.01.01/00/24_030/001504) and was intended only for the partners of this project.

Archive: Pilot round

Call for Cooperation No. 1 Open Science II Mini-Projects

Expected date of announcement February 2026.

Planned activities

Creation of outputs that follow on from the planned outputs and/or supported activities of the Open Science II project (reg. no. CZ.02.01.01/00/24_030/001504) and significantly expand the planned outputs and/or supported activities of the project. These outputs have a high level of preparedness and have been discussed by the EOSC Initiative community in the Czech Republic.

The output(s) of mini-projects must meet the following criteria:

Mini-projects must be created for one or more of the following domains/thematic clusters:
- Bio/Health/Food;
- Material Sciences and Technology;
- Data Management for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning;
- Social Sciences;
- Physical Sciences;
- Humanities and Arts;
- Environmental Sciences;
- Sensitive Data.
Every output must correspond to exactly one output type (output specification column) from the Catalogue of Outputs (see Annex 2 of the Call)
Every output must:
- develop or respond to the requirements of research and domain EOSC communities;
- build on the outputs of previous projects and activities of the EOSC CZ initiative and thus meet the requirements of the NDI

See the Call

Call for Cooperation No. 2 Open Science II Mini-Projects – Open call

Expected date of announcement: September/October 2026.

Planned activities

Creation of outputs necessary to ensure a data-oriented research environment on the part of the applicant for the mini-project.

The output(s) of mini-projects must meet the following criteria:

Mini-projects must be created for one or more of the following domains/thematic clusters:
- Bio/Health/Food;
- Material Sciences and Technology;
- Data Management for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning;
- Social Sciences;
- Physical Sciences;
- Humanities and Arts;
- Environmental Sciences;
- Sensitive Data.
Every output must correspond to exactly one output type (output specification column) from the Catalogue of Outputs (see Annex 2 of the Call)
Every output must meet the requirements of the National Data Infrastructure (NDI)

Methodology for Applicants and Participating Institutions for Open Science II Mini-Projects Calls

Request for an Opinion of a Working Group

Applications for a mini-project must include the opinion of the relevant working group (WG) of EOSC CZ, which, based on its expertise, confirms that the planned output of the mini-project develops or complements the activities or outputs of the Open Science II project, or is necessary to ensure a data-oriented research environment on the part of the applicant for the mini-project.

Detailed information on the procedure for applying for the opinion of a EOSC WG is available here.