3.5 Objective 5 – NCISA as an Active Participant in Jointly Conducted Research and Development in Cyber Security at EU Level Initial Situation: There are currently intensive negotiations under way at EU Member State level regarding the form of framework programmes in connection with the preparation of a new programme period for 2021–2027. The EU is also increasing its capacity pertaining to the protection of Member States from increasingly frequent cyber threats, and has commenced the preparation of a new structure for the consolidation and creation of networks of its expert knowledge in various areas of cyber security. Due to the national position of the NCISA in cyber security, it is natural that the NCISA will play an active role in the formation of new EU framework programmes and, in cooperation with other agencies, will support national initiatives focusing on an active role for the Czech Republic in improving the resilience of the EU to cyber threats. Tools:  The NCISA will promote priority research topics under the Horizon Europe and Digital Europe programme calls,  support for the creation of a National Coordination Centre in the Czech Republic in connection with a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Network of National Coordination Centres18,  the NCISA will support the creation of a European Centre for Excellence in AI in the Czech Republic, which will, among other things, focus on the cyber security of AI products, services, and processes, as well as on preventing the misuse of AI technologies,  the NCISA will strengthen cooperation with other foreign organizations with an impact on the focus of research and development at EU level (e.g., the European Cyber Security Organization – ECSO, and the European Network and Information Security Agency – ENISA),  the NCISA will cooperate with other government administration authorities within the scope of the EU Cohesion Policy, 18 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Network of National Coordination Centres. 14