Open Calls

RIF Launches €4.6 Million Call For Post-doctoral Researchers In Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 13, 2025

The Research & Innovation Foundation (RIF) has announced a new €4.6 million funding call under the “Post-Doc” programme to support post-doctoral researchers leading ambitious projects across Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Social & Human Sciences. The programme aims to strengthen Cyprus’s research capacity, create high-skill jobs, and retain top talent.

Who should apply

The call is open to:

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Post-doctoral researchers who will coordinate the project. The coordinator must hold a PhD awarded within the last 7 years(extensions allowed for maternity/paternity, military service, or certified long-term sick leave).
Each Post-Doc can participate only in one (1) proposal, and each proposal can include
only one (1) Post-Doc. The Post-Doc must be named in the proposal and will be the Coordinator of the Proposal, and will be committed to working on the proposal for its whole duration. If the Post-Doc leaves the project, the project and its funding will be terminated.
Post-doc researchers must be employed by a Cyprus-based Host Organisation (Research Organisation, Enterprise, or Other Organisation) for the full duration of the project.
Host Organisations may be Research Organisations (A1/A2), Enterprises (B1/B2/B3), or Other Organisations (C1/C2) established in Cyprus. Large Enterprises (incl. private universities) may participate only if an SME also participates in the Cypriot consortium.

Benefits

Projects must fall into one of the following three scientific fields: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Social Sciences and Humanities.

Grant per project (cap):

€150,000 for projects in Life Sciences and Physical Sciences & Engineering
€120,000 for projects in Social Sciences & Humanities
Project duration: 24 months

Total call budget: €4.6 million, allocated by scientific area:

€1.65m – Life Sciences
€1.65m – Physical Sciences & Engineering
€1.30m – Social Sciences & Humanities

Funding inside each scientific area is further split by host-type category, to ensure balanced participation:

Category A: Research Organisations & Other Organisations
Category B: Enterprises

Fair-selection note (applies at the funding stage): In each scientific area, the first two eligible proposals coordinated by a woman are selected first (where applicable), then the remaining proposals are funded in ranked order until the budget is used. This can improve the chances of funding for top-scoring proposals with female coordinators.

How to apply

Register on IRIS
The project coordinator (post-doctoral researcher) and all Cyprus-based participating organisations must be registered in advance on the IRIS Portal. Review the Guide for Applicants and IRIS Portal User Manual in the IRIS document library before you start.
Select the correct call
Choose POST-DOC/0925 (Category A: RO & Other; Category B: Enterprises) and confirm your scientific field (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, or Social Sciences & Humanities) matches the Work Programme codes.
Prepare your proposal package (use the official templates)
Part A – General Information & Budget: Complete the online form in IRIS.
Part B – Technical Annex (PDF): upload exactly the Part B template provided under the call documents—no modifications.
Annex I – CV: Coordinator’s CV (PDF) — mandatory.
Annex III – Call-specific information (PDFs):
a) Single-submission declaration (“this project has been submitted only once to either EXCELLENCE/0925 or POST-DOC/0925”) — mandatory.
b) PhD certificate of the coordinator — mandatory.
c) If applicable, proofs for allowable extensions to the 7-year PhD window (e.g., maternity/paternity, military service, certified long-term sick leave).
Check key eligibility points (save time at preliminary check)
The post-doctoral coordinator must have earned the PhD within 7 years before the call announcement (formal extensions accepted as above); must be employed by the Host Organisation in Cyprus for the full 24 months; and must allocate ≥70% of project months (timesheets). Only one coordinator per proposal, and each coordinator may appear in only one proposal in this call.
Submit before the deadline
Finalise and submit in IRIS by Friday, 28 November 2025, 13:00 (Cyprus local time).
Late submissions won’t be accepted.
Know what evaluators look for
Proposals undergo a preliminary check and remote peer review by two independent evaluators.
Compatibility (programme objectives, Do No Significant Harm, and allowable TRLs 1–8) is verified before scoring.
Evaluation criteria: Excellence (40%), Added Value & Benefit (20%), Implementation (40%).

Support & queries: support@research.org.cy| +357 22205000.
IRIS document library and call documents are available via the portal.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Digital Prosperity Awards 2027 Open To Cyprus Startups, SMEs And Public Sector Organisations

by News Editor

October 20, 2026

Overview

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has opened applications and nominations for the second edition of the Digital Prosperity Awards (DPA), recognising digital solutions, initiatives and partnerships that deliver economic and social impact.

Held under the theme “Building the Future, Today,” the awards aim to recognise projects that use technology to improve public services, support business growth, advance innovation and expand participation in the digital economy.

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Applications and nominations close on 4 January 2027, with winners expected to be recognised at an awards ceremony in 2027.

Award Categories

The second edition features seven categories across three pillars, covering digital transformation, innovation, sustainability and social inclusion.

Digital Enablers

Public Sector Transformation: Implemented digital initiatives or policies that improve the accessibility, efficiency or quality of public services.
Cooperation: Partnerships that deliver measurable digital-economy outcomes through shared implementation, governance or resources.

Digital Innovation

Disruptive Solutions: Digital applications that introduce or significantly improve how people, organisations or markets operate.
Digital Public Goods: Open-source software, open data, open AI systems or open standards that meet recognised digital-public-good requirements and can be reused or adapted.

Digital Society

Sustainability: Digital initiatives supporting environmental protection, climate resilience or responsible resource management.
Equality and Inclusion: Solutions expanding meaningful digital access and participation for underserved or excluded communities.
Protecting Society: Digital initiatives or policies improving online safety, cybersecurity, trust or resilience while respecting applicable rights and safeguards.

Each of the seven categories will recognise two winners, one government and one non-government winner from a DCO Member State.

Flagship Awards

Alongside the category awards, three flagship prizes will recognise exceptional contributions to digital prosperity.

The DCO Member State Award recognises an outstanding contribution by an eligible SME, startup or civil society organisation that has won a category award and is based in a DCO Member State.

The DCO International Award recognises an eligible civil society organisation from either a DCO Member State or a country outside the organisation.

The Bridging the Gap Award recognises an eligible SME, startup or civil society organisation from a DCO or non-DCO Member State whose solution addresses a digital-economy gap identified through the DCO’s Digital Economy Navigator. Entries must demonstrate impact and the potential for scaling or replication.

The awards offer international recognition through the DCO’s platforms and networks. Further details of prizes and winner benefits will be announced by the organisers.

Who Can Apply

Applications are open to eligible organisations across the public, private and civil society sectors.

Potential applicants include government bodies, municipalities, public institutions, established companies, SMEs, startups, NGOs, foundations and other qualifying organisations.

Teams of at least two adults aged 18 or over may also apply with a jointly developed solution, provided they receive formal endorsement from an eligible institution, such as a university, research organisation, incubator, accelerator, company or public institution.

Organisations outside DCO Member States may also participate through specific international award pathways.

Eligible civil society organisations can apply through the relevant international stream, while other qualifying international non-government applicants may be considered for the Bridging the Gap Award, subject to the published requirements.

Eligibility And Selection Criteria

Applicants must submit a digital initiative, programme, partnership or solution that has already been implemented and produced evidence of results.

Digital technology must play a substantial role in delivering those outcomes. The awards therefore focus on demonstrated impact rather than concepts or proposals that have not yet been implemented.

Applications will be assessed against four main criteria: creativity and innovation; demonstrated performance and impact; social responsibility and sustainability; and collaboration and feasibility at scale. The selection process begins with administrative and eligibility screening, including independent reputational and integrity checks.

Eligible entries then progress through technical assessment and shortlisting, followed by evaluation by an international judging panel.

Shortlisted applicants will deliver a five-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute Q&A. A separate cross-pillar assessment will determine the flagship prize winners.

How To Apply

Applications and nominations close on 4 January 2027. Participation is free of charge.

Applicants must register through the Digital Prosperity Awards platform, complete the application form in English and submit the required supporting information and evidence. An organisation or institutionally endorsed team may submit one application per category, but each application can be entered in only one category. Individuals and organisations can also nominate an eligible organisation through the official nomination form. Nominated organisations must subsequently complete the full application process to be considered for an award.

The awards ceremony is currently planned for March 2027, with the final date and venue to be announced.

Full eligibility requirements, category descriptions and application guidance are available on the official Digital Prosperity Awards website.

For enquiries, applicants can contact dpa@dco.org.

About The Digital Cooperation Organization

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) is an international intergovernmental organisation established in 2020 to accelerate the inclusive and sustainable growth of the digital economy.

It brings together 16 Member States, including Cyprus, and works with governments, businesses, civil society and international organisations to advance digital cooperation, innovation and economic participation.

The Digital Prosperity Awards form part of its efforts to recognise initiatives delivering measurable improvements in digital access, economic opportunity and social development.