Project V4 Summer School on Smart Analytical Science – V4SSSAS-2026

The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe

SMART Analytical Science can be defined as Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-related chemical analysis. It focuses on clearly defined targets or analytes, enables reliable quantification, can be implemented with available resources, and delivers results within an acceptable timeframe. These objectives are realized through laboratory-developed analytical systems that rely on environmentally friendly components and expert systems. This methodology aligns closely with the current direction of modern scientific development. However, awareness of the opportunities created by novel materials, advanced electronics, and emerging application areas remains limited. This situation was further intensified during the pandemic, when reduced researcher mobility significantly limited access to hands-on training opportunities. Despite this, recent Eurostat data confirm that researcher mobility continues to play a crucial role in professional development, as participation in exchanges, conferences, and specialized training enhances skills and knowledge transfer. Therefore, strengthening competencies related to the design, construction, and broad application of smart analytical devices is of high importance. Such initiatives are particularly critical in Central Europe, where persistent inflation, reduced research and development funding, and the ongoing energy crisis present major challenges. In this context, advancing scientific innovation serves as a key pathway toward economic resilience and sustainable growth.

To address this gap, the Applicant intends to organize the V4 Summer School on Smart Analytical Science, targeting PhD students, early-career researchers, and senior scientists committed to continuous professional development. While various intensive training courses for researchers already exist, they are typically focused on a single analytical technique or a narrow group of closely related methods. This creates a clear need for a broader perspective on innovative solutions in analytical chemistry, encompassing both technical competencies and selected transferable skills, such as effective scientific writing. The Summer School will be preceded by a series of online introductory lectures designed to familiarize participants with the fundamentals and current trends of smart analytical science. These sessions will be delivered by representatives of the project partners, who will share their expertise and practical experience, followed by open discussions. To further encourage interaction, session moderators from partner institutions will be invited to lead and stimulate debate. Participation in the V4SSSAS-2026 will also foster networking and collaboration among young researchers from the V4 countries, as well as between institutions previously brought together within the V4 Platform “Flow Analysis and Capillary Electrophoresis”, established under the recent IVF project (ID 22530176)