12 talents will again study at the world's best universities

The scholarship selection process involves three rounds where applicants demonstrate their motivation to study and their financial need, in addition to their academic achievements. "We pride ourselves on a detailed assessment of every single applicant. Transparency and fairness are crucial benchmarks for us, even if it often requires a huge amount of work. We want to be sure we support the most suitable candidates," says Václav Pecha, the Bakala Foundation's director.

The highlight of the selection process was the students' personal interviews with the selection committee, held at the Foundation's Prague headquarters on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 11 and 12. These two intensive days culminated in a gala evening in the gardens of Hartig Palace, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Scholarship Program.

"After 15 years, we are proud to see our scholarship recipients returning to the Czech Republic and assuming important positions in public administration, the non-profit sector, the judiciary, or academia," says Michaela Bakala, the chairwoman of the Bakala Foundation's board of trustees.

This year's successful applicants showed a significant interest in British universities. Seven students will attend prestigious institutions such as University of Oxford, Cambridge University, University College London, and Imperial College London. Three students will study in Switzerland, one in the Netherlands, and another will embark on a dual degree between Sciences Po and Columbia University. The selected students will pursue careers in fields including computer science, biomedicine, biology, physics, education, and Baroque music.