Czech researchers drew only 10 percent of the money available from the European Union budget last year and this country was the least effective of all new member states in applying for finances from the current framework EU research program.

The Czech Republic last year received less money from European Union funds earmarked for the support of R&D than it contributed, and recently published data confirms the unfortunate trend.

Czech scientists will have their value-added tax (VAT) refunded if a government-backed draft amendment to the VAT law makes it through Parliament this week.