Chief Scientist presents road map to make Cyprus a regional R&I hub

Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides has presented before the Cyprus' Rectors' Conference, a comprehensive Strategy Road-map Programs rollout, in order for Cyprus to become a regional hub on research, innovation and technology by 2035, 

According to a press release, the roadmap is based on a thorough analysis of the ecosystem with more than 650 engagements with research organizations, centres of excellence, startups, Innovation SMEs and well-established enterprises and aims to propel Cyprus into becoming a Regional Research, Innovation, and Technology hub by 2035.

The new strategy, energized by the fresh perspectives of the new board, focuses on simplifying processes, enhancing customer experience, and embracing transparency, the announcement says. These objectives are not mere aspirations, but actionable goals set to improve the productivity and impact of the R&I ecosystem, the press release highlights.

It is also noted that a significant shift towards simplification is underway, with plans to introduce a new Grants management system by 2025. This system aims to alleviate administrative burdens, allowing researchers to focus on scientific work and commercialization, without compromising accountability and integrity in how funds are used.

Cyprus has maintained its 10th position in the European innovation scoreboard for the third consecutive year, a testament to the country's growing innovation posture and the work undertaken in preceding months. The public universities and institutes, such as the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus Institute, have been instrumental in securing prestigious European Research Council grants, showcasing the nation's research excellence with 18 ERC awards, and 5 advanced grants by Dr. Christoforos Pissarides, Dr. Johannes Lelieveld, Dr. Marios Polycarpou, Dr. Philippos Patsalis, Dr. Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos.

It is also noted that the government's commitment in the increased competitive funding for the period 2021-2027 is evident, since it rose to €177.25 mln, a 34% increase from 2014-2020.  Research accounts for 23% of the budget, Collaboration and knowledge transfer 27%, Innovation 21%, and Internationalization 15%. Infrastructure and skills account for 14%. Improvements across the operation of the Research and Innovation Foundation have significantly reduced the average Time to Pay, 61 days in 2023 compared to 275 in 2019, and the average Time-to-contract from 21 months in 2019 to seven months in 2023. "Committed to improving customer experience, and refocusing funding in programs that are high impact, the Research and Innovation Foundation has created a special committee of board members tasked with conducting regular reviews," the press release says.

Moreover, the Chief Scientist has emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between industry and research organizations. Initiatives like the Partner Innovation Day that took place in February 2024 are focused on creating opportunities for research organizations, startups, and technology innovators by facilitating discussions, knowledge transfer in topics such as sponsored research, co-development of IP, and commercialization.

Skourides noted that €7.8 mln is allocated to enhancing research excellence that leads to successes internationally through the EU Horizon Europe program and €47.2 mln to Collaboration & knowledge transfer in thematic areas (ICT, Green transition, Energy, Shipping, Agrifood, Health, Advanced materials, and Environment). An additional €24.2 mln is earmarked to Infrastructures & skills aimed at building and supporting world class research and innovation while €38.2 mln are set aside for advancing Cyprus’ innovation posture. 

According to the press release, the Chief Scientist also facilitated the introduction of Ambassador of Japan, Yoshio Yamawaki, and President of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Kazuhito Hashimoto with Director of Phaethon Prof George Georgiou, and Deemah AlYahya, Secretary general of DCO to Koios Centre of Excellence, which helped create awareness and explored the potential of further collaboration. 

Skourides advocates cross-industry collaboration between research organizations and industry and has been actively supporting such cooperations. During the presentation, the Chief Scientist added that the recent criteria in programs Excellence Hubs increased collaboration between private and public research organisations by 8 percentage points to 29% compared to 21% in the last call in 2021 and highlighted that the 2024 post-doc call was well subscribed with 60%+ leading projects of female scientists and researchers. He also highlighted that the programs and interventions are expected to support more than 550 researchers. Submissions to both calls have not been reviewed, however preliminary data indicates marked improvement supporting Cyprus’ growing posture in the EIS.

Finally, Skourides said that in 2024, €22.1 mln would be allocated to research across funding calls Excellence hubs, post-doc, VisionERC, Birdge2Horizon, ERC 2nd Opportunity, excluding other funding to Research supporting the implementation of MoUs with other countries and €4.1 mln will follow in programs Post Doc, PhD in Industry, Proof of Concept in 2025.

"Under challenging requirements that require funding across research, innovation and technology, we are ensuring that Cypriot researchers across the entire ecosystem have access to competitive funding to continue their work," he noted.

(Source: CNA)