CESNET ZAJMOVE SDRUZENI PRAVNICKYCH OSOB

Their core work

CESNET is the Czech national research and education network operator, providing high-speed connectivity, cloud infrastructure, and data services to universities and research institutions across the Czech Republic. They build and operate the backbone network that connects Czech academia to pan-European research networks like GÉANT, and they develop tools for network security, authentication, and data management. Beyond connectivity, CESNET contributes technical expertise in federated cloud computing, identity management, and cybersecurity to major European e-infrastructure initiatives including the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2017), CESNET focused on foundational research networking, life science data infrastructure (ELIXIR-EXCELERATE), and building distributed computing platforms (INDIGO-DataCloud, EGI-Engage), with a noticeable interest in international connectivity such as the BELLA transatlantic cable project. From 2018 onward, their work shifted decisively toward the European Open Science Cloud ecosystem — EOSC-hub, EOSC-synergy, DICE, EGI-ACE, C-SCALE, and EOSC Future became dominant, alongside a growing cybersecurity portfolio (SPARTA, SAPPAN). The trajectory shows a clear move from general network infrastructure toward integrated science cloud services and security.

CESNET is consolidating as a go-to technical partner for EOSC compute, data, and security services — expect them to continue deepening this role in Horizon Europe.

How they like to work

CESNET operates exclusively as a participant or third party — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, preferring to contribute deep technical expertise within large consortia. With 380 unique partners across 63 countries, they are a highly connected hub in European e-infrastructure networks, plugged into virtually every major research networking and EOSC initiative. This makes them a reliable, well-networked technical partner rather than a project leader — ideal for consortia that need proven infrastructure operators.

CESNET has collaborated with 380 unique partners across 63 countries, making them one of the most broadly connected NRENs in H2020. Their network spans all of Europe and extends to Latin America and beyond through GÉANT and BELLA partnerships.

What sets them apart

CESNET combines national research network operations with hands-on technical contributions to pan-European cloud and data infrastructures — a dual role that few NRENs sustain at this scale across 28 H2020 projects. Their simultaneous presence in networking (GÉANT), cloud (EOSC ecosystem), and cybersecurity (SPARTA, SAPPAN) gives them a rare end-to-end view of research infrastructure from the physical network layer to application services. For consortium builders, CESNET brings not just technical skills but also a 380-partner network and operational experience running production infrastructure for the Czech research community.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GN4-3
  Largest single project by funding (EUR 954,833) — CESNET's core role in operating the pan-European GÉANT research network.
• EOSC-hub
  Central EOSC integration project (EUR 495,562) where CESNET helped build the service catalogue that underpins the European Open Science Cloud.
• SPARTA
  Cross-sector cybersecurity governance project combining research, skills development, and certification — marks CESNET's expansion into security policy beyond technical networking.