The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has announced that it will soon launch the new funding program “AI in Government,” in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. The initiative is aimed at Cypriot businesses, encouraging them to develop innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to address specific challenges faced by public authorities.

The program supports activities related to the development and testing of AI-based prototypes in real-world environments, with the goal of evolving them into market-ready products, services, or solutions.

The implementation will take place in two distinct phases, providing funding, support, and testing opportunities under real-world conditions:

Phase A: Prototype Development

The first phase focuses on building a functional prototype that demonstrates both technical and commercial feasibility. These prototypes may be based on open data, synthetic data, or virtual data, used to simulate real-life scenarios as defined by the specific challenge.

Phase B: Pilot Deployment and Further Development

The second phase involves installing and testing the prototype in an operational environment, while continuing its development into a fully functional product, service, or solution. This is an iterative development process and requires close collaboration with the relevant public authority overseeing each challenge.

For Phase A, eligible activities include:

• Industrial Research
• Experimental Development
• Feasibility Study

For Phase B, eligible activities include:

• Experimental Development
• Feasibility Study
• Innovation Activities

Project Duration Limits:

• Phase A: Up to 9 months
• Phase B: Up to 27 months
• Total maximum duration: 36 months

Eligible project expenses may include:

• Personnel Costs
• Equipment and Instrumentation
• Service Procurement
• Consumables
• Specific Expenses
• Overheads

The first two AI challenges to be addressed under the program relate to meteorological applications, specifically:

1. Meteorology Challenge 1 – Early Warning System for Extreme Weather Events

2. Meteorology Challenge 2 – Agrometeorological Support System

To support the launch, the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, in collaboration with the Department of Meteorology, will organize a dedicated workshop to present these challenges. The event will take place on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Further announcements, including workshop details and contact information for preliminary inquiries, will be released in the coming days.

The official program announcement by RIF is expected in July 2025, accompanied by the publication of the funding regulations.