The programme is oriented to support the initiation and further development of international cooperation in research and development and the integration of the Czech Republic into European and global research structures. It will facilitate the participation of Czech institutions in European cooperation projects and bilateral cooperation with countries outside the European Union. It will create conditions for Czech research teams to access international results, knowledge and skills and enable them to participate in their creation and use.

The programme fully replaces some of the separate international cooperation programmes in research and development administered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (i.e. COST CZ, EUPRO II, EUREKA CZ, INGO II, KONTAKT II and GESHER / MOST), which expired in 2016-2017. The newly approved INTER-EXCELLENCE programme builds seamlessly on these programmes and runs from 2016 to 2024, thus ensuring continuity in the provision of financial support.

The text of the INTER-EXCELLENCE programme can be found at this link.