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 Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has launched a new call under the PRIMA programme (P2P/PRIMA/0326), supporting collaborative projects addressing key Mediterranean challenges, including climate change, water scarcity, food security and agri-food sustainability.

Benefits

• Total budget (Cyprus): €310,000 
• Maximum funding per project: €155,000

Who can apply

Eligible organisations include:

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• Research Organisations 
• Enterprises 
• Other Organisations 

Applicants must participate as part of a transnational consortium, in line with PRIMA programme requirements. 

Criteria

Projects must fall under one of the following thematic areas:

• Water Management in the Nexus 
  • Leveraging ecosystem functions and improving water allocation for non-perennial watercourses 
• Farming Systems in the Nexus 
  • ICT-based monitoring and control systems for disease and pest management 
• Food Value Chain in the Nexus 
  • Context-aware digital traceability in Mediterranean food systems 

How to apply

• Transnational submission deadline: 15 May 2026, 15:00 (Barcelona time) 
• National (IRIS) submission deadline: 22 May 2026, 13:00 (local time) 

Proposals must first be submitted to the PRIMA platform, followed by submission through the IRIS Portal. 

About the programme

PRIMA is a Euro-Mediterranean initiative supporting collaborative research and innovation projects focused on water, agriculture and food systems, to address shared regional challenges. 

Overview Of The Scholarship Initiative

Drakos DMC, a prominent destination management company operating across Cyprus and Greece, has announced a strategic scholarship opportunity aimed at nurturing emerging talent in the tourism industry. This initiative offers a full scholarship for a Master of Science in Tourism Management at the Cyprus University of Technology (Tepak), valued at €5,125.

Scholarship Details And Eligibility

The award targets final-year students and recent graduates up to 24 years of age who hold degrees in tourism, business administration, marketing, or related areas. Candidates are expected to demonstrate excellent academic performance and must be permanent residents of Limassol. For undergraduate tourism students, the scholarship may also apply to postgraduate studies in complementary fields.

Commitment And Career Advancement

A unique feature of this scholarship is its linkage to immediate professional integration. The successful candidate is required to commence full-time employment with Drakos DMC while pursuing the postgraduate degree and to continue with the company for an additional 30 months upon completion. Applications can be submitted by contacting Drakos DMC through their careers email, accompanied by a current curriculum vitae.

Application Process And Timelines

Prospective candidates must apply for the master’s program between February and April 2026. The full terms and conditions of the scholarship will be outlined in close coordination with the Cyprus University of Technology.

About Drakos DMC

Renowned for its premium travel experiences, Drakos DMC specializes in incentive travel, conference management, corporate events, and the design of integrated programs for international organizations. Their comprehensive approach, which spans strategic planning through to on-the-ground execution, underlines their status as a leader in the tourism management sector.

Expanding The Fintech Horizon

CNBC, in strategic partnership with market research powerhouse Statista, has opened applications for the fourth edition of its renowned World’s Top Fintech Companies list. Now in its mature phase, this annual compendium identifies leading global fintech entities, spanning startups and established corporations alike, across sectors that include payments, wealth technology, insurance, and the newly introduced regulation tech segment.

Charting A Transformative Era

Fintech has moved from a fast-growing niche into a core part of the global financial system. Digital adoption accelerated during the Covid-19 period, while advances in artificial intelligence continue to reshape financial services. According to KPMG, global fintech investment reached approximately $44.7 billion across more than 2,200 deals in the first half of 2025, reflecting sustained investor interest despite a more selective funding environment.

Building On A Legacy Of Excellence

Last year’s ranking included global players such as Mastercard, Stripe, and Visa, alongside fast-growing companies including Bilt, TerraPay, and Entsia. The expanded 2026 framework reflects industry shifts, particularly the growing role of regulation technology companies that help financial institutions meet evolving compliance and risk management requirements.

A Call For Fintech Leaders

Applications are open to companies developing technology-driven financial services with measurable market impact. Applicants are expected to demonstrate clear product focus, innovation, and business scalability. The submission process, managed by Statista, requests information related to business models, revenue performance, and workforce growth.

Application Details And Key Dates

To apply, interested companies can submit their information online. The application deadline is April 24, 2026. For further clarification on the application process or additional support with the form, inquiries can be directed to Statista via email at topfintechs@statista.com.

In a significant move towards fostering future tech leaders, Bending Spoons has launched the Bending Spoons Fellowship, offering up to €1.5 million in scholarships. This initiative aims to empower outstanding university students in computer science and related fields across Europe and the UK.

Details of the Fellowship Program

The fellowship program will provide ten scholarships worth €50,000 each annually, renewable for up to three years, to high-achieving students. This initiative is designed to provide not just financial support but also mentorship and optional paid internships, either virtually or at their headquarters in Milan.

Costanza Mazzei, the talent manager at Bending Spoons, emphasizes, “We believe exceptional talent deserves exceptional opportunities. Our fellowship aims to offer Europe’s most driven students the liberty, resources, and support necessary to reach the pinnacle of excellence.”

Applications for the Bending Spoons Fellowship open on February 10, 2026, with successful candidates notified by June 2026. Additionally, this fellowship aligns with Bending Spoons’ broader efforts to expand opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Supporting Emerging Cyber Talent

The Bending Spoons Fellowship demonstrates the company’s commitment to encouraging tech brilliance and addressing the shortage of skilled tech professionals. Furthermore, this initiative comes as the EU demographic shifts show an increase in foreign-born residents, as highlighted by recent EU demographics data.

Invitation For Strategic Collaboration

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Cyprus, in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce, has extended a distinguished invitation to small and medium‐sized enterprises and startups to participate in the MWC Open Innovation Challenge 2026. This significant initiative, organized by ACCIÓ, a key department within the Catalan Government’s Ministry of Enterprise and Labour, is set to attract industry leaders and emerging innovators alike.

Global Forum For Innovation

The event is designed to convene corporates, investors, and technology providers in a dynamic setting to co-create solutions addressing real-world technological challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to connect during the MWC and 4YFN Barcelona congress, where breakthrough ideas and collaboration strategies will be spotlighted.

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Flexible Participation Formats

Attendees can choose from physical, online, or hybrid formats tailored to their schedules and business objectives. The in-person B2B engagements are scheduled to occur from March 2, 2026, to March 5, 2026, at the 4YFN Congress in Barcelona, specifically at the ACCIÓ Stand in Hall 8. These sessions, structured as focused 30-minute meetings, are exclusively reserved for corporate representatives presenting challenges and technology providers offering strategic solutions.

Digital Engagement For Global Reach

For those unable to travel, online B2B meetings will be facilitated via the b2match platform from March 9, 2026, to March 13, 2026. This digital format ensures that participants, including Cypriot startups, can seamlessly connect with large international companies and public entities eager to explore innovative technologies.

Streamlined Registration And Matchmaking

The challenge is open to technology and solution providers free of charge. Interested businesses must register on the platform by completing a comprehensive company profile. This profile should include a succinct pitch, a professional biography, and a detailed outline of the firm’s technological capabilities. Registration is limited to one participant per company, although additional representatives are welcome to attend the B2B meetings. Once validated, participants can begin scheduling meetings based on corporates’ published challenges, with final acceptance determined by the respective corporates.

Business-Driven Agenda

Participants will receive a personalized meeting agenda through the digital platform, ‘My Schedule’, which will detail all confirmed meeting times and sessions. This structured approach ensures that every interaction is geared toward harnessing commercial potential and driving actionable collaborations.

The MWC Open Innovation Challenge 2026 represents a landmark opportunity for Cypriot enterprises to forge key international partnerships and propel forward-thinking technological solutions. For further details and to register as a technology or solution provider, please visit the official registration page.

Introduction

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) in Cyprus, in collaboration with the Agrifood and Digitalisation Sector Groups, is set to host an incisive webinar on February 10, 2025. This event will introduce the agrifood Testing and Experimentation Facility (agrifoodTEF), a flagship European initiative designed to accelerate technology validation in the agrifood sector.

About AgrifoodTEF

Funded under the Digital Europe Programme, agrifoodTEF provides specialized infrastructure that enables rigorous testing and validation of emerging technologies under real-world conditions. The facility plays a critical role in assessing innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation—services that are particularly relevant as companies prepare for forthcoming regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act.

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Robust European Network and Support

The initiative is supported by a network of nine hubs across Europe, offering over 300 services to help businesses mitigate technical and regulatory risks prior to market entry. Notably, agrifoodTEF offers substantial financial support, with public funding covering at least 80% of the associated costs, thereby enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive innovation while managing expenditure effectively.

Webinar Details and Benefits

Coordinated by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve), the webinar will be conducted online via MS Teams from 12:00 to 13:30. The session will outline the core services provided by the European agrifoodTEF network, supported by practical examples of collaboration among partner institutions. Participants, particularly agrifood and agritech SMEs engaged in precision agriculture, food processing automation, and robotics, will gain valuable insights to reduce innovation costs and align with evolving industry standards.

Engagement and Future Prospects

In addition to the detailed presentation, a dedicated question and answer session will allow direct interaction, ensuring that attendees can address their specific challenges and opportunities. In doing so, EEN Cyprus reinforces its commitment to supporting the digital transformation of the local agricultural sector through robust international networks and collaborative expertise.

Conclusion

This webinar represents a significant opportunity for businesses to harness European expertise and infrastructure support, setting the stage for a new era of agrifood innovation. With challenges evolving alongside technological advancements, initiatives like agrifoodTEF are essential for companies aiming to lead in a competitive global market.

Revised Timelines Strengthen Sector Support

The Agriculture Ministry, in coordination with the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation, has extended the submission deadline for applications to secure funding under the Major Investment Measure and Young Farmer Installation initiatives. This decision comes after extensive consultations with primary sector stakeholders, ensuring that the updated timeframe better accommodates the demands of a dynamic agricultural landscape.

Enhanced Funding Opportunities

The revised deadline now stands at March 31, 2026, replacing the initial cut-off date of January 30, 2026. The investment measures collectively offer a total budget of €67.5 million, exclusively accessible via the official payments organisation website. Applications must be submitted by accredited consultants approved by the Department of Agriculture, underscoring the initiative’s commitment to precision and expertise.

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Modernization and Sustainability at the Forefront

The Major Investment Measure is distinguished by ten comprehensive reforms aimed at modernizing both livestock and crop farms. This initiative emphasizes enhanced competitiveness, sustainability, and significant improvements in environmental protection and animal welfare, including investment in waste processing and management. Such strategic investments are essential for adapting to modern challenges and elevating the primary sector.

Encouraging the Next Generation of Agriculturists

The Young Farmer Installation intervention targets the urgent need to rejuvenate an ageing agricultural workforce. By fostering competitive holdings under the guidance of emerging agricultural leaders—those who either already possess or are in the process of acquiring the necessary expertise—the program builds a sustainable future for farming communities.

Simplified Procedures and Integrated Digital Access

Streamlined protocols, including a dedicated licensing guide for agricultural and livestock structures, have been introduced to facilitate smoother application processes. Special arrangements with the Ministry of Interior and other competent agencies have further expedited licensing and operational approvals. Candidates must also be registered in the Register of Farmers and Agricultural Holdings to qualify.

Further Information

Detailed application manuals and additional instructions are available on the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 website. The Agriculture Ministry anticipates that this extension will encourage higher quality proposals and facilitate more effective absorption of available European and national funds.

Empowering Innovation In Green, Agri, And Climate Tech

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also known as Keve, is spearheading a transformative funding initiative aimed at bolstering women-led deep-tech startups. As the coordinating body for the Enterprise Europe Network in Cyprus, the Chamber is launching WE-RISE Open Call 2, a program specifically crafted to nurture innovative ventures in the GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech sectors.

Strategic Investment For Sustainable Growth

Funded under Horizon Europe, the WE-RISE initiative dedicates a total budget of €600,000 to empower startups developing advanced technological solutions with significant environmental impact. With a clear focus on scalability, this open call is set to select 20 women-led tech startups from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries, giving special preference to ventures from moderate and emerging innovator regions, including Cyprus.

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Two-Phase Acceleration Model

The program unfolds in two distinct phases. The initial Nurture Phase is a three-month intensive period during which each selected startup receives a €5,000 grant. This phase is designed to fortify strategic planning through tailored business coaching, specialized training, and the development of a comprehensive Strategic Action Plan, culminating in participation in critical investor meetings.

Successful candidates from this stage may advance to the Bloom Phase, where up to 10 startups will be awarded an additional €50,000 grant. This subsequent phase focuses on accelerating product development, market expansion, and executing robust strategic growth activities.

Clear Eligibility And Application Guidelines

To qualify, startups must be women-led with key leadership roles, such as CEO, CTO, or CSO, occupied by a woman. Eligible entities must operate within the GreenTech, AgriTech, or ClimateTech sectors and have been legally established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country before January 1, 2025. Applicants are also required to meet at least one transversal criterion, such as achieving a significant product-market fit or securing a minimum funding threshold of €300,000.

Interested startups should create a profile on the EuroQuity platform and join the WE-RISE Greenhouse Community. The formal application, which must be submitted in English, is open from December 4, 2025, until the final deadline at 17:00 CET on February 12, 2026. Detailed information can be found on the WE-RISE Open Call 2 page.

Driving Commercial Impact Through Strategic Support

This well-structured initiative not only provides vital financial support, but also offers the strategic expertise necessary for these startups to scale effectively. The dual-phase approach—combining initial empowerment with subsequent acceleration—ensures that promising ventures are well-equipped to succeed in a competitive global market, reinforcing Cyprus’s emerging role as a hub for innovation.

Empowering Cross-Community Entrepreneurship

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is set to once again champion bi-communal economic collaboration in Cyprus, announcing the 16th edition of the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Co-operation with an increased total prize fund of €500,000. This prestigious accolade reaffirms Sir Stelios’ enduring commitment to fostering harmonious business relations between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs.

Enhanced Financial Incentives for Sustainable Growth

In a strategic move to further strengthen cross-community partnerships, the award structure has been augmented for the second consecutive year. Eighteen entrepreneurs, organized into nine bi-communal teams, will compete for substantial financial backing designed to stimulate reinvestment, growth, and stability in their business ventures.

Structured Award Categories and Prize Distribution

The awards program delineates three categories of recognition. The Gold category allocates a total of €150,000, awarding €75,000 to each entrepreneur in a winning team. Two teams will share the Silver prize, receiving a cumulative €200,000, each member earning €100,000. Meanwhile, six teams competing for the Bronze award will see a combined allocation of €150,000, translating to €25,000 per team or €12,500 per entrepreneur.

A Clear Path to Application

Applications open on January 8, 2026, and will remain accessible until April 30, 2026. Interested candidates are invited to download the application form and submit the completed document via email to Marios Missirlis at the provided contact address. Eligibility extends to Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot business owners with an annual turnover of at least €10,000 and a functioning business staff beyond the owner. Moreover, applicants must provide documentation substantiating joint business endeavors in both communities. Notably, past winners and previous applicants are encouraged to reapply.

A Celebration of Shared Vision and Prosperity

The winners will be announced by Sir Stelios on June 4, 2026, at the Head Offices of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation in Nicosia. Sir Stelios emphasizes that these awards transcend mere financial incentives, embodying the transformative power of entrepreneurship to bridge historical divides and cultivate a forward-looking economic landscape in Cyprus.

A Legacy of Peace and Progress

Now marking 16 years of bi-communal cooperation, the Stelios Awards have grown to an impressive cumulative value of €5.3 million. They are a cornerstone in a suite of initiatives by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation—an organization dedicated to supporting charitable causes and innovative ventures across Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Ireland, Monaco, and France. Alongside the Business Co-operation Awards, the Foundation also extends its support to young entrepreneurs and addresses critical social needs through programs such as the “Food from the Heart” initiative.

Conclusion

In backing these cross-community efforts, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou not only invests in business excellence but also promotes dialogue, shared responsibility, and peace. The enhanced prize fund serves not merely as a financial boost but as a powerful endorsement of the role that united, innovative efforts play in shaping a prosperous and cohesive Cyprus.