Open Calls

RIF Launches €500,000 BRIDGE2HORIZON Call To Help Cypriot Consortia Leaders Prepare For Horizon Europe

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 27, 2026

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has opened a new call under BRIDGE2HORIZON/0326, with a total budget of €500,000 and funding of up to €100,000 per project. The programme is intended to strengthen Cyprus-registered research and innovation organisations in areas aligned with the country’s Smart Specialisation Strategy 2023–2030 and upcoming Horizon Europe work programmes.

RIF says the call is also designed to increase the number of Cypriot organisations that coordinate collaborative projects and lead pan-European research networks under Horizon Europe Pillar II and the programme’s European Missions.

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Benefits

Total call budget: €500,000.
Maximum funding per project: €100,000.
The call is co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the THALEIA 2021–2027 programme.

Who can apply

The host organisation may be a:

Research Organisation
Enterprise
Other Organisation.

Eligible partner organisations may also include Research Organisations, Enterprises, and Other Organisations.

Criteria

The collaboration network must include at least one Enterprise (Category B) and one Research Organisation (Category A).

The call is aimed at projects in thematic areas relevant both to Cyprus’ Smart Specialisation Strategy and to future Horizon Europe priorities.

How to apply

Deadline: 29 May 2026, 13:00, or earlier if the budget is exhausted.
Submission portal: proposals must be submitted through the IRIS Portal.
Call documents: available under the call announcement in IRIS.

RIF will also hold an online information webinar on Friday, 3 April 2026, 12:00–13:00 local time. Interested applicants must register in advance through the link provided on the call page, and may submit questions ahead of time during registration.

For further information, applicants can contact RIF’s Partner Support Centre at 22205000 or support@research.org.cy.

About the programme

BRIDGE2HORIZON is part of RIF’s effort to help Cypriot organisations build the capacity needed to compete more successfully in Horizon Europe, particularly in collaborative projects where Cyprus-based entities take on a stronger coordinating role.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

NASA Space Apps Challenge 2026 To Take Place In Nicosia And Limassol On 14–15 November

by News Editor

November 3, 2026

Overview

The NASA Space Apps Challenge 2026 will take place on 14–15 November, with local events in Nicosia and Limassol giving participants in Cyprus the opportunity to join the international hackathon.

Held under the theme “The Next Frontier,” the two-day event invites participants to develop solutions to challenges involving Earth and space science, using publicly available data from NASA and its international space agency partners.

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The global competition brings together students, engineers, scientists, developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and other enthusiasts to work in teams, exchange ideas, and develop projects addressing scientific and technological challenges.

Participation is free, and previous experience in programming or space science is not required.

What To Expect

The NASA Space Apps Challenge is an international hackathon in which teams work on challenges developed by NASA experts.

Participants use open scientific data to develop applications, data visualisations, games, prototypes and other creative solutions.

The challenges cover a range of subjects related to Earth and space science, including space exploration, astrophysics, agriculture, software development and storytelling.

Participants can bring together skills from different disciplines, including artificial intelligence, data analysis, engineering, science, design and communication.

Teams can include up to six participants, who select a challenge according to their interests and expertise.

Completed projects must be submitted through the official NASA Space Apps platform. Submissions are evaluated through a local judging process, with selected eligible projects nominated for consideration in the global judging stage.

Two Local Events In Cyprus

The 2026 competition includes local events in both Limassol and Nicosia, allowing participants to take part in the same global hackathon from either city.

Limassol

The Limassol edition is scheduled for 14–15 November 2026.

Further information and local registration are available through the NASA Space Apps Challenge Limassol page.

Nicosia

Participants should consult the NASA Space Apps Challenge Nicosia page for venue information, local arrangements and registration.

Both events form part of the same international NASA Space Apps Challenge.

Who Can Participate

The hackathon welcomes people of all ages, experience levels and professional backgrounds.

Participants do not need to be programmers or scientists. The competition encourages collaboration among people with interests and skills in technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, design, communication, science, and other fields.

Individuals can register and form or join a team, while existing groups can participate together.

Participants under the age of 18 must be registered by a parent or legal guardian and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian throughout the event, in accordance with NASA’s participation rules.

How To Register

Registration for the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2026 is open through the official competition website.

Participants must create or access a NASA Space Apps account, register for the 2026 competition, and select their preferred local event in Nicosia or Limassol.

Team formation and project submissions are also managed through the platform.

Global registration remains open until the hackathon closes on 15 November 2026. Projects must be submitted by 23:59 local time on Sunday, 15 November, to be considered for judging.

Participation is free.

Full details, official challenges and registration instructions are available at spaceappschallenge.org/2026.

About The NASA Space Apps Challenge

The NASA Space Apps Challenge is an annual international hackathon bringing together participants from different disciplines to develop solutions using NASA’s open data and information from its space agency partners.

Held annually since 2012, the competition encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and public engagement with science and technology.

According to NASA, the 2025 edition attracted more than 114,000 registered participants across 551 local events worldwide.

The 2026 edition involves 17 international space agency partners, including the European Space Agency.