The Research and Innovation Foundation (R&I Foundation) has unveiled a groundbreaking €6m funding scheme, aiming to significantly enhance the capabilities of Cyprus' research organisations and businesses. This initiative extends its benefits to other private and public stakeholders as well.

Known as "BRIDGE2HORIZON", this scheme functions as a conduit between the local research and innovation environment and the prestigious "Horizon Europe", the European Union's paramount funding program for research and innovation. The primary objective of BRIDGE2HORIZON is to address and overcome the challenges currently impeding Cypriot institutions from actively participating in Horizon Europe, as indicated by an announcement from the R&I Foundation.

The program's long-term goal is to bolster the quantity and quality of projects led by Cypriot R&I entities applying for specific thematic areas under the Horizon Europe calls. These themes align with the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3CY) 2023-2030, thus contributing towards a coherent and integrated vision for Cyprus' research and innovation ecosystem.

Furthermore, it's noteworthy that the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the "THALIA" Operational Programme 2021-2027 jointly co-fund the scheme. Each project can secure a maximum funding of €150,000.

The R&I Foundation has set multiple deadlines for proposal submission via its online platform, IRIS. Interested applicants can submit their proposals by 13:00 on the following dates: 24th October 2023, 15th December 2023, 15th February 2024, 15th April 2024, and 14th June 2024.

For additional information and further queries, prospective participants are invited to visit the Foundation's official website.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), headed by Rector Professor Panayiotis Zaphiris, is scheduled to visit Hangzhou Dianzi and Zhejiang Universities in China from August 7 to 12, as revealed in a recent press release.

In recent years, CUT has fostered a close relationship with Hangzhou Dianzi University, resulting from an agreement to deliver a joint postgraduate program. Further solidifying their academic partnership, the universities signed an additional agreement this past June to collaboratively establish the Confucius Institute at CUT.

In a testament to their thriving collaboration, the Confucius Institute, along with CUT's Learning Enhancement and Development Network, hosted their inaugural summer school this July. This event saw active participation from students of both Hangzhou Dianzi University and CUT.

The upcoming visit to Hangzhou Dianzi University succeeds a multi-member delegation from the Chinese University to CUT. Moreover, the scheduled visit to Zhejiang University is slated to explore potential avenues of collaboration with this esteemed institution, which boasts a #67 position in the Times Higher Education rankings and #44 in the QS World University Rankings.

Rector Zaphiris underscored the importance of these visits, stating, "Our visits to Hangzhou Dianzi University and Zhejiang University present an invaluable opportunity to reinforce our international bonds and explore potential partnerships, student exchange programs, and collaborative research initiatives."

During these visits, the agenda includes discussions around academic, educational, and research collaborations, student exchange possibilities, organization of joint activities such as summer schools, and development of alliances centered on innovative issues.

Zaphiris concluded by highlighting the significance of international collaborations, saying, "Engaging with global partners allows us to exchange ideas, knowledge, and practices, promote the professional growth of our academic community, and establish global partnerships that could lead to joint research initiatives and programs."