GRANT Garant s.r.o.

Director and manager

Karolína Řípová graduated from Charles University in Prague, where she earned Master's degree in molecular biology at the Faculty of Science and subsequently a doctoral degree at the Faculty of Social Sciences, where she focused on the issue of research and innovation policies. She has been professionally involved in the preparation of project proposals and in the management and administration of international projects for more than fifteen years. She acquired professional experience both in international research organizations abroad such as the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres and in preparation of project applications submitted to international and national finance providers. Karolína has established herself successfully in a range of international projects focused on support of innovation. In a long-term view, she is professionally engaged in the issues of research ethics, effective communication of research results and strategic decision-making on the level of public policies.

International project consultant

Mgr. Markéta Šimková graduated from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague, branch: European studies. This branch focuses on the functioning of the EU, its institutions, and individual policies. During her studies, she also attended the School of Management of Bath University in Great Britain. Following her studies, she completed a one year internship at the French non-profit organization ALDESS which deals with local development. She has experience with the administration of websites and the launch of an information portal dedicated to energy and organizing professional conferences in this field. At GRANT Garant s.r.o., she is responsible for the preparation of project proposals, their management, and related administration. These projects are funded from the various operating programs of the Structural Funds and the EEA Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

International project consultant

Lenka Medová holds a master's degree in Social Geography and doctoral degree in Social Geography and Regional Development from the Faculty of Science at Charles University in Prague. She has been involved in research activities in the field of international migration and the integration of migrants, and she was a member of the prestigious research center GEOMIGRACE. She is a (co-)author of scientific articles and monographs. She has also worked for the Czech administration abroad. At GRANT Garant, she is responsible for project grant applications, management and administration of projects financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), EEA and Norway Grants, and the EU Horizon Europe program. She also focuses on the implementation of communication and dissemination activities of scientific projects.

EU Financial Mechanisms Project Consultant

Diana Šulková is a specialist focused on processing project proposals in the fields of humanities and economics, with a particular emphasis on international programs such as Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. In addition to her primary focus on international programmes, she also has a number of experiences supporting the preparation of national projects, often with a substantial investment component. Beyond her experience in supporting international consortia, Diana also has several years of experience in project management and administrative support for client projects. In addition to her long-standing collaboration with GRANT Garant s.r.o., Diana is also successfully completing her master's studies at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University.

Specialist on IT and digital communication

Radek Novotný graduated from Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology at University of Forestry and Wood Sciences and Technology in Zvolen with follow-up doctoral study at Technical University in Zvolen. He has experience in managing and implementation of projects of public administration and self-government, civil society in the field of development of rural and adventure tourism, education (cultural and historical heritage, MAP-II) and local development (LAG projects). He has worked in more than 30 different international projects in the field of innovation promotion by the public sector (reginal innovation agencies). Between years 2007 and 2016 he was a member of the Monitoring Committee of OP RDI for the Council of Government for NGOs, at the same time he was also an evaluator of PO3 projects, call 1.3 OP RDI. He is professionally engaged in the issue of grants since 1996. He is currently focusing on the possibilities of introducing 3D printing into primary and secondary schools.

Specialist in HR and HR management

External specialist for the issues of strategic innovation and  transfer of technologies

Helena Veselá is a graduate of the University of Economics in Prague, focusing on strategic management and management of innovations in companies. Following her graduation, she participated in the transfer of technology within the Technical University of Ostrava, and then went on to a similar position to the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France, where she worked in the position of a transfer specialist for over 8 years and has successfully led to market more than 20 innovations created within the centre. In addition to extensive experience with the preparation of grant and patent applications, Helena also has experience in managing and reporting international research projects. Helena works for the company as an external collaborator and focuses primarily on the consultation of innovative project applications, projects connected with the social responsibility within research and development, and on investment projects related to building research infrastructures.

External specialist for the issues of energy efficiency and sustainable development

Jiří Fiala graduated from the University of Economics Prague and Brno University of Technology. His long-term activities are focused on the issues of energy efficiency, energy management and related environmental issues from the point of view of global economy. Jiří has a long history of participation in projects that border the academic and private spheres. He acquired much of his professional experience at prestigious foreign workplaces such as the Technical Research Centre of Finland and Foschung-Zentrum Juellich (Germany). He regularly publishes in specialized national and international impact magazines. At GRANT Garant, he works as an external specialist for research and coordination projects focused on environment and energy. In addition to his university degree, Jiří is the holder of a wide range of professional awards and certifications (including PRINCE certification and authorization for the processing of energy audits) and he is currently completing an MBA study programme.

External specialist for the issues of sustainale development of cities and e-mobility

Petr Vlasák graduated from the Czech Technical University in Prague with a follow-up doctoral study at the University of Heidelberg, where he received his doctoral degree.  Professionally, he focuses mainly on sustainable architecture and urban planning (alongside other professional certifications, he is a holder of SBTool certificate). Due to his foreign engagement, he brings an international perspective into the project preparation and is usually able to recommend the best foreign partners for emerging consortia. In addition to his academic career, Petr is a successful founder of a technological startup, whose patented know-how has been taken over by a multinational corporation (Algilent Technologies), which further commercially uses it. Within the company GRANT Garant, Petr acts as an external specialist for research and coordination projects focused on architecture and the sustainable development of cities and settlement areas.

External specialist for the issues of healthcare and biotechnologies

Eva Peterková graduated from the Faculty of Science, Charles University with a focus on biotechnology applications for the care of patients suffering from neoplastic diseases. Her student work received a number of awards, which motivated Eva to go abroad – specifically to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, where she currently has a PhD student position. As part of her master's degree, Eva participated in the commercialisation of a new diagnostic process within her laboratory, with the resulting diagnostic product becoming a successful part of Bio-Rad's sales portfolio. In view of her practical experience with commercialisation, Eva provides clients with consultancy in the field of technology transfer and strategic management of innovations in the field of biotechnology. Within the company, Eva operates in the position of external client advisor, with a dominant focus on biotechnology and health technologies in general.