The UK will not be able to use 1.4 billion CZK from the recovery plan due to the delay of Albertov

Prague – Charles University (UK) will not be able to utilize approximately 1.4 billion Czech crowns from the National Recovery Plan (NPO) due to delays in the construction of the Albertov campus. This was stated today by Michal Zima, a member of the rector's collegiate for operations and internal processes, during a meeting of the university's academic senate. According to him, the continuation of the project is, however, the only solution; he does not consider freezing the construction to be an option.

The Albertov Biocenter is one of three major university projects in the Czech Republic co-financed by European funds through the NPO. Another similar construction is being developed in Hradec Králové, which also falls under Charles University, and another in Brno, which is the Masaryk University project MUNI BioPharma Hub.

The projects of the Albertov Biocenter in Prague and MEPHARED 2 in Hradec Králové are part of a single grant application from the NPO, Michal Zima stated. "If the project is not completed, meaning the purpose of the grant under the NPO is not fulfilled, it would be necessary to return the grant of 6.5 billion crowns," he said.

Former UK rector Milena Králíčková previously stated that the construction of the campus at Albertov in Prague is delayed due to archaeological research and necessary foundation adjustments. According to the university, it will not be completed by mid this year as planned, but only in 2028.

"In practice, this means for Charles University that, as the project progresses, it has lost the opportunity to utilize more than 1.4 billion from the National Recovery Plan," Michal Zima stated. He mentioned that not completing the project would harm the university as an applicant and would create a risk of legal disputes with contractors.

"The continuation of construction will cost approximately 4.2 billion crowns," Michal Zima noted. According to him, returning the grants, taking into account potential legal disputes, and freezing the construction would amount to roughly double that. He described the situation as serious, but solvable, emphasizing that the project is essential to complete from a strategic, economic, reputational, and educational perspective.

Some senators asked about the specific decision of the Ministry of Education regarding the withdrawal of the grant from Charles University. The economic committee of the senate would like to see more detailed materials and analyses of other possible courses of action. Some senators are concerned that wages for university employees may stagnate due to investments in completing the project at Albertov. Others wanted to know the actual costs of freezing the construction or what the project's financial benefits would be.

"I am glad that all these questions have been raised, and we will prepare responses for the next meeting of the academic senate. I know this may not satisfy you now, but I am pleased that we will be in correspondence and provide written answers," stated university rector Jiří Zima to the senators. He noted that he monitors the construction every day.