Despite billions in support, Czech research still lags behind EU, audit finds

Czechia aims to become an innovation leader by 2030, but a new report from the Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) shows it remains a "moderate innovator" by EU standards. Between 2021 and 2023, nearly CZK 30 billion was spent on research and innovation through the Czech Science Foundation and Technology Agency. Yet patent numbers are falling, and citation rates of basic research remain below half the EU average. The audit criticizes poor strategic focus and lack of cooperation between agencies, though it notes improvements in transparency and legal compliance.