The Simona Kijonková Foundation has granted two exceptional scholarships to young Czech scientists, enabling them to study fields abroad that are not available in the Czech Republic. Tereza Przeczková will receive funding to cover tuition and other expenses for her bachelor’s studies in Biomedicine at University College London (UCL), totaling over CZK 4.2 million. Terezie Heiderová will receive support for her bachelor’s studies in Psychology at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, amounting to over CZK 900,000.
“When someone is so talented that, as a teenager, they study cellular transport systems, contribute to epilepsy research, and rank among the top high school students in the country, they should have the chance to fully develop their expertise. I dreamed of higher education from the age of thirteen, but my single mother could not afford it. I paid for my studies myself through part-time work. Education is a ticket to change one’s future. By helping children and young people study, we change their circumstances and give them the opportunity to one day give back to their communities and society as a whole. I am convinced that these students will enhance the reputation of the Czech Republic abroad and may one day make world-changing discoveries. We continue to support Czech female and male scientists so that they can build the country’s reputation internationally,” explains Simona Kijonková, founder of the foundation.
Providing Opportunities Beyond the Czech Republic
The foundation offers this exceptional financial support outside its regular programs to two students from the Moravian-Silesian Region, allowing them to attend selected universities abroad and pursue fields of study not available in the Czech Republic.
The first student, 19-year-old Tereza Przeczková, has been involved in ion transporter research at the Czech Academy of Sciences since the age of 17. During her final year of high school, she studied cell biology at Palacký University Olomouc, achieving top marks (A), and also synthesized new compounds aimed at developing potential cancer treatments. She had always planned to continue research at university, but a biomedicine bachelor’s program is not available in the Czech Republic. She was accepted to University College London, but tuition and living costs, significantly higher after Brexit, were beyond her family’s means.
“At UCL, I don’t want to ‘leave’ the Czech Republic, but I cannot study biomedicine in this form at home. I considered Masaryk University in Brno, but that would have required studying general medicine and only pursuing biomedicine at the doctoral level. Clinical practice doesn’t appeal to me; I want to focus on research, which I can start in London at the bachelor’s level. The costs of studying in London are beyond my means. I did raise part of the tuition through crowdfunding, but even with family help, I couldn’t afford it. Without external support, I wouldn’t have been able to go, and I would have started medical studies in Brno instead. I am very grateful for the support from the Simona Kijonková Foundation,” Tereza explains.
The second supported student, 20-year-old Terezie Heiderová, has been interested in neurology and psychology since her first year of high school. She knew from the beginning that she wanted to continue in this field after graduation. In the Czech Republic, neuroscience can only be pursued at the doctoral level. She therefore devoted herself fully to neuroscience during high school and applied to study at the University of Groningen, one of the world’s top neuroscience institutions.
During high school, Terezie attended lectures at Palacký University and the Masaryk University Junior Academy, studied philosophy and biology with a focus on neuroscience in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and began her own research in her final year. Concurrently, she conducted structural analyses of the effects of somatic mutations on epilepsy at Palacký University, completed practical neuropsychology internships at Motol University Hospital in Prague, and participated in non-invasive brain stimulation research at the Central European Institute of Technology in Brno. She ranked second in the “Czech Brain” essay competition and is among the top 100 high school students in the country.
“If I hadn’t received support from the Simona Kijonková Foundation, I would have had to rely on crowdfunding and part-time work. Calculating tuition and living expenses in the Netherlands, I realized I could only cover food and about half the rent, and would likely need a loan for the rest. The foundation’s support feels like Czech society helping me, and I intend to give back professionally. I plan to work in the Czech Republic as a neuropsychologist and researcher, ideally at Motol University Hospital, the National Institute of Mental Health, or the CEITEC research center in Brno,” Terezie says.
Exceptional Scholarship Support
Tereza Przeczková will receive approximately CZK 4.2 million, covering tuition and basic living costs in London. Terezie Heiderová will receive CZK 915,000, also covering tuition, accommodation, and other living expenses during her bachelor’s studies.
“The scholarships were awarded due to the extraordinary scientific talent and academic passion of both students. This type of support is exceptional within the foundation’s focus, but the board is delighted to assist Czech science and to promote the role of women in a male-dominated field,” says Barbora Bachmeierová, Executive Director of the Simona Kijonková Foundation.
“The amounts differ because the students attend different universities in different countries. The grants cover essential costs, and the foundation will require regular monthly reporting. Academic performance will also be monitored. If a student discontinues studies or fails to meet requirements, the support will be suspended or terminated. Should they continue to graduate-level studies abroad, further support may be considered,” Bachmeierová adds.
