Czech Research Projects Receive U.S. Money

Money Hospodarske noviny (11/13, p. 1, 3): The U.S. plans to invest about USD 600,000 this year in Czech science and research as an “offset” to the planned construction of a U.S. missile defense radar in the Czech Republic. The Czech Technical University signed the first U.S.–Czech research cooperation agreement on Tuesday. It will receive about USD 250,000 for special computer programs development. During a year-long cooperation period, the U.S. will benefit from Czech military know-how while Czechs hope to gain U.S. business contacts. USD 100,000 will go to eastern Bohemia-based Crytur Company, which specializes in x-ray technology.  The Czech Academy of Sciences’ Physical Institute is to receive the remaining USD 250,000 for its cooperation with U.S. Kyma Company. “We will gain access to top American technologies and contacts. We expect more projects will receive funding next year regardless of whether the radar is here or not. Americans like our research,” said CVUT Professor Vladimir Marik, who assembled a list of perspective Czech institutions from which the U.S. chose partners.