Τhe Research and Innovation Foundation (R&I Foundation) has announced a new €6m funding scheme to further strengthen the capacity of Cyprus' research organisations and businesses, as well as other private and public stakeholders.

"BRIDGE2HORIZON" serves as a bridge between the local research and innovation ecosystem and the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation, “Horizon Europe”, and its aim is to address the weaknesses that hinder the participation of Cypriot institutions in the programme, an announcement by the R&I Foundation says.

The ultimate objective of the programme is to increase the number of projects coordinated by Cypriot R&I entities and improve the quality of proposals submitted for specific thematic areas and fields under “Horizon Europe” calls, which are in line with the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3CY) 2023-2030, it is added.

It should be noted that the scheme is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Operational Programme "THALIA" 2021-2027, with a maximum funding of €150,000 per project.

Proposals can be submitted via the Foundation’s online platform IRIS. The deadline is on 24 October 2023, at 13:00, on 15 December 2023, at 13:00, on 15 February 2024, at 13:00, on 15 April 2024, at 13:00 and on 14 June 2024, at 13:00.

For further information, interested parties may visit the Foundation's website www.research.org.cy or contact the Foundation's Partner Service Centre at 22205000.