Overview

RESIST II Eurocluster has opened its Process Innovation Open Call, offering cascade funding to SMEs in the Mobility, Transport and Automotive ecosystem. The call supports companies seeking to improve their manufacturing or industrial processes by making their current operations more digital, greener and more resilient.

The call sits under RESIST II’s wider €1.6 million funding package for SMEs developing innovation projects linked to net-zero technologies and critical raw materials. The Process Innovation call itself has a budget of €800,000.

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Benefits

Selected SMEs can receive lump-sum grants of:

• Up to €20,000 for individual SME projects
• Up to €30,000 per SME for consortium projects
• Up to €60,000 per SME across RESIST II open calls

Beneficiaries will also have access to a pool of experts, coaching and mentoring, international market opportunities, online training for upskilling and reskilling, and technical support provided by CTAG.

Projects require 10% private co-financing from the beneficiary SMEs. Across the two cut-offs, RESIST II expects to support around 15 to 20 projects and fund around 25 to 30 SMEs.

Who Can Apply

The call is open to SMEs established in an EU Member State or a country participating in the Single Market Programme.

Applicants must be active in the ecosystem, either by working in sectors such as automotive, rail, waterborne and cycling, or by being a member of a cluster linked to the Mobility, Transport and Automotive ecosystem.

Criteria

Projects may be submitted by a single SME or by a consortium of two or three SMEs. Consortium projects must involve SMEs from different NUTS2 regions.

Submitted projects should address one or more of RESIST II’s four innovation pillars:

• Net-Zero Manufacturing & Industrial Decarbonisation
• Circular Critical Raw Materials & Resource Efficiency
• Digital Mobility & Smart Industrial Systems
• Resilient Mobility Value Chains

Projects funded under the first cut-off are expected to run for up to nine months, from October 2026 to June 2027.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically through the RESIST II platform. The first cut-off opened on 13 May 2026 and closes on 13 July 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. A second cut-off is planned for May 2027.

About RESIST II

RESIST II Eurocluster supports European SMEs working in the Mobility, Transport and Automotive ecosystem, helping them advance their twin transition and strengthen resilience against market shifts and unexpected disruptions.

Overview

RESIST II Eurocluster has opened its Product Innovation Open Call, offering cascade funding to SMEs working in the Mobility, Transport and Automotive ecosystem. The call supports companies developing new or significantly improved products and services that can improve environmental performance, reduce carbon emissions, increase resource efficiency and reduce dependence on critical raw materials across the mobility value chain.

The call is part of RESIST II’s wider €1.6 million funding package for SMEs developing innovation projects in mobility, transport and automotive, focused on net-zero technologies and critical raw materials. The Product Innovation call itself has a budget of €800,000.

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Benefits

Selected SMEs can receive financial support through lump-sum grants:

• Up to €20,000 for individual SME projects
• Up to €30,000 per SME for collaborative projects
• A maximum of €60,000 per SME across RESIST II open calls
• Technical services, mentoring, internationalisation support, and training opportunities

Projects must include at least 10% co-financing from the beneficiary SMEs. Across the two Product Innovation cut-offs, RESIST II expects to support around 15 to 20 projects and fund around 25 to 30 SMEs.

Who Can Apply

The call is open to SMEs established in an EU Member State or a country participating in the Single Market Programme / COSME strand.

Applicants must be active, directly or indirectly, in the Mobility, Transport and Automotive ecosystem. Startups and micro-enterprises may also apply if they meet the SME definition and operate in the sectors addressed by the call.

Criteria

Projects may be submitted by a single SME or by a consortium of two to three SMEs. Collaborative projects must involve SMEs from different NUTS2 regions. Other organisations, such as research centres, universities or technology providers, may support projects as subcontractors, but direct financial support under the call is reserved for SMEs.

Submitted projects should address one or more of RESIST II’s four innovation pillars:

• Net-Zero Manufacturing & Industrial Decarbonisation
• Circular Critical Raw Materials & Resource Efficiency
• Digital Mobility & Smart Industrial Systems
• Resilient Mobility Value Chains

Projects funded under the first cut-off are expected to run for up to nine months, from October 2026 to June 2027.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the RESIST II submission platform. The first cut-off opened on 13 May 2026 and closes on 13 July 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.

Applications must be completed in English. Incomplete applications, late applications or applications submitted outside the designated platform may be rejected without evaluation.

About RESIST II

RESIST II is a European initiative funded under the Single Market Programme Euroclusters call. It supports SMEs in the mobility, transport, and automotive ecosystem by funding product and process innovation projects that strengthen resilience, sustainability, and innovation capacity across European value chains.

Overview

MAT4EU has opened its first Advanced Materials Innovation Open Call, offering financial and support services to European manufacturing SMEs developing or adopting advanced materials solutions. The call focuses on four material groups, metals, polymers, ceramics and composites, with applications across aerospace and defence, agri-food, including packaging, renewable energy, construction, health and mobility.

The call is part of the MAT4EU Euroclusters project, which aims to strengthen Europe’s advanced materials ecosystem, support SME innovation and internationalisation, and help companies develop sustainable solutions across European industrial value chains.

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Benefits

The first open call has a total budget of €1,207,500, divided across two funding strands:

• Strand 1: Product Innovations Supporting European Autonomy
  Supports the development, testing and validation of innovative advanced materials solutions. MAT4EU aims to support at least 10 SME projects, with a fixed grant of €60,000 per project. Projects must have a minimum total budget of €80,000.
• Strand 2: Mastering Green and Digital Transformation
  Supports the uptake, scale-up, and integration of advanced materials solutions into industrial environments and value chains. MAT4EU aims to support at least 19 SME projects, with a fixed grant of €33,750 per project. Projects must have a minimum total budget of €45,000.

Funding covers up to 75% of eligible costs, meaning SMEs must provide at least 25% private co-financing through their own resources or private debt financing. In-kind contributions and other public funding cannot be used to cover the co-financing requirement.

Selected SMEs will also receive support services, including mentoring, training, capacity-building, internationalisation support, matchmaking, and ecosystem integration opportunities.

Who Can Apply

The call is open to manufacturing SMEs located in an EU Member State or another country participating in the Single Market Programme/COSME strand. This makes Cypriot manufacturing SMEs eligible, provided they meet the programme’s criteria.

Applicants must work with at least one of the four target material groups, metals, polymers, ceramics or composites, and their product or application must target at least one of the six strategic sectors: aerospace and defence, agri-food including packaging, renewable energy, construction, health or mobility.

Criteria

Applications must be submitted by a single manufacturing SME. Other organisations, such as companies, universities or technical centres, may be involved only as service providers or subcontractors, where relevant. Consortia applications are not part of this call.

Each SME may submit only one application and must choose either Strand 1 or Strand 2. Submitting applications to both strands will make the applicant ineligible. Supported projects will run for 12 months, from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027.

Applications are assessed on criteria including business potential, innovation potential, scalability and economic impact, scientific and technical quality, organisational capacity, contribution to European industrial competitiveness, and the proposed networking and dissemination plan.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted in English through the MAT4EU Grant Platform. The call opened on 6 May 2026 and closes on 6 July 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Applicants must submit the required supporting documents, including a screenshot of their SME self-assessment, a screenshot of the completed financial capacity self-check, and the completed Annex Budget.

Evaluation will take place after the deadline, with notification letters expected between 22 and 29 July 2026. Contracting and eligibility checks are scheduled from 29 July to 28 August 2026, before selected projects begin on 1 September 2026.

About MAT4EU

MAT4EU brings together European cluster partners to support SMEs working with advanced materials. The project combines direct financial support with training, mentoring, internationalisation services and networking to help SMEs build more sustainable, competitive and globally connected advanced materials value chains.

Overview

Women TechEU 2 EIC has opened the Eligibility Strand of its new call, the first step in a two-stage process for women-led early-stage deep-tech startups seeking support through the programme. The initiative will support 160 women entrepreneurs from the European Union and Horizon Europe associated countries, with each selected startup receiving a €75,000 non-dilutive grant and access to a personalised business development programme.

In total, Women TechEU will award €12 million in non-dilutive funding through an open call with 4 funding deadlines. For each funding deadline, 40% of the funding will be allocated to startups from widening regions, a category that includes Cyprus.

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Benefits

Startups selected after the full application process will receive:

• €75,000 in non-dilutive funding
• A six-month personalised business development programme
• Access to business development services
• One-to-one mentoring with an expert
• Support to prepare for future funding opportunities, including the EIC Accelerator and Pre-Accelerator programmes

The six-month support programme will be co-designed by the selected entrepreneurs and the programme team, with individual development KPIs set for each startup.

Who Can Apply

The call targets women-led early-stage deep-tech startups established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country. Cyprus is listed both as an eligible EU country and as one of the widening EU Member States.

To qualify as women-led, at least one woman founder or co-founder must currently hold a top management position, such as CEO, CTO, CSO, or equivalent, and women must own at least 25% of the company’s shares at the time of submission. The woman founder or co-founder must actively participate in the programme if selected.

Criteria

Eligible startups must:

• Be legally registered for at least six months and not more than five years at the relevant eligibility cut-off date
• Qualify as an SME
• Have raised less than €1 million in equity
• Be developing a technology innovation between TRL 4 and TRL 6
• Be working in deep tech, meaning innovation grounded in substantial scientific or engineering advances, not simply the use or adaptation of standard technologies

The guidelines list deep-tech fields including advanced connectivity, navigation, and digital technologies; advanced materials, manufacturing, and recycling technologies; advanced sensing technologies; AI technologies; biotechnologies; energy technologies; quantum technologies; robotics and autonomous systems; and space and propulsion technologies.

For AI-based startups, the programme makes clear that applicants must have passed the earliest development stages. Companies still at concept development, dataset collection, or algorithm development stage are considered too early; eligible AI startups should be at more advanced stages, such as AI model development, training, testing, or refinement.

Applicants must also ensure that the same proposal, or any part of it, has not previously benefited from earlier Women TechEU initiatives or the EIC Accelerator, to avoid double funding. Women TechEU 2 EIC consortium partners, their affiliated entities, employees, and subcontractors are not eligible to apply.

How To Apply

Applications are submitted through the Sploro online platform, accessible via the Women TechEU website. The current stage is the Eligibility Strand: applicants must first verify their eligibility and, if validated, will be invited to submit a Full Proposal.

Key dates:

• Eligibility Strand opens: 1 June 2026
• First cut-off: 30 June 2026, 17:00 CEST
• Weekly cut-offs: every Tuesday at 17:00 CE(S)T / Brussels time
• Final cut-off: 13 July 2027, 17:00 CEST

Applications must be submitted in English. Only submissions made directly through the official online platform will be considered. Eligibility results will be sent through the Sploro Platform no later than one week after the relevant cut-off.

Applicants are advised to review the guidelines and open call documents carefully and, where possible, attend one of the programme’s online InfoDays. The guidelines also recommend submitting at least two days before the relevant cut-off to avoid last-minute technical issues.

About The Programme

Women TechEU 2 EIC is an EU-funded initiative designed to support women founders leading early-stage deep-tech startups across Europe. The programme combines non-dilutive funding, mentoring, business development support and access to wider innovation networks, with a particular focus on improving access for startups from less-connected and widening innovation ecosystems.

Overview

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has unveiled its latest funding call, PRE-SEED/0526, under the “Creation And Initial Development Of Startups With International Orientation (PRE-SEED)” program. This initiative is engineered to empower emerging companies with the potential to scale globally, reinforcing Cyprus’ commitment to nurturing an advanced innovation ecosystem.

Funding Details

Allocated a total budget of €1 million, the call permits up to €119,999 in funding per project. This support is poised to help startups transition from initial concept to tangible development, setting the stage for impactful market entries on an international scale.

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Submission Process

Applicants are required to submit their proposals through the IRIS portal by September 11, 2026, at 1:00 PM. Thorough preparation and adherence to the provided guidelines are essential to enhance the competitiveness of each submission.

Advancing Innovation

The initiative not only fuels the growth of individual startups but also bolsters the overall innovation framework within Cyprus. By supporting early-stage companies, RIF is creating a robust pipeline of enterprises capable of thriving in global markets.

Further Assistance

For additional information or support, interested parties can contact the RIF Partner Support Centre at 22205000 or via email at callsupport@research.org.cy.

Overview

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) is organising a free proposal-writing workshop for applicants preparing submissions under its “Research in Enterprises” call (ENTERPRISES/0326). The workshop will take place on 2 June 2026, from 10:30 to 12:30, at the Research and Innovation Foundation.

The session is intended for participants preparing proposals for the ENTERPRISES/0326 call, particularly those with no previous experience or limited experience in proposal writing. It aims to strengthen their knowledge and skills through presentations and hands-on guidance.

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Benefits

Participants will receive expert guidance on how to prepare proposals for the ENTERPRISES/0326 call, helping them better understand the proposal-writing process and RIF submission requirements.

Participation is free of charge.

Who can apply

The workshop is aimed at individuals from:

• Research Organisations
• Enterprises
• Other private and public sector bodies

Participants do not requireprevious experiencein proposal writing. They should be preparing proposals for the “Research in Enterprises” (ENTERPRISES/0326) call.

Criteria

Due to the limited number of available places, priority will be given to participants who:

• Are submitting a proposal to RIF programmes for the first time, specifically to the ENTERPRISES/0326 call
• Intend to participate in proposals as project coordinators (leaders)
• Are not already project coordinators in RIF-funded projects from previous “Research in Enterprises” calls

How to apply

Interested participants must register through the online participation form by 25 May 2026 at 13:00. The workshop will be conducted in Greek.

Participants must first watch the recording of the ENTERPRISES/0326 webinar, held on 28 April 2026, before attending the proposal-writing workshop.

For more information, applicants can contact the RIF Partner Support Centre at 22205000 or support@research.org.cy.

European University Cyprus has launched the 5th Call for Applicants for the EUC Startup Programme powered by Microsoft, a free startup support programme designed for mature startups located in Cyprus.

Overview

The accelerator is organised by the School of Business of European University Cyprus in collaboration with Microsoft and organisations from the Cypriot entrepreneurial ecosystem. The programme combines training, mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to Microsoft resources to help startups strengthen their business model, accelerate growth, and improve market readiness.

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Benefits

Selected startups will receive tailored training in key entrepreneurial and business topics, adapted to the stage and needs of each team. Indicative training areas include entrepreneurial skills, financial projections, Lean Startup principles, customer segmentation, ICT and technology trends, team collaboration, market analysis, investor pitching, Microsoft technologies for startups, and an introduction to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.

The programme also provides dedicated mentoring from experienced professionals across fields such as business consulting, ICT, marketing, banking, insurance, EU funding, accounting, public relations, shipping, and other relevant sectors. Each startup will be matched with a mentor and receive up to 10 hours of tailored mentoring support over three months.

Participants will also gain networking opportunities with business professionals, senior executives, investors, venture capital representatives, business angels, founders, and entrepreneurs, with the aim of supporting collaboration, market access, and commercialisation.

Through Microsoft, startups will be introduced to the Microsoft Startup Enablement Pack and the Microsoft for Startups programme, including potential benefits such as up to $5,000 in Azure credits, expert guidance, and tools for early-stage growth, subject to programme approval and applicable terms. Microsoft may also deliver tailored one-hour sessions or workshops on topics such as AI, Security, Architecture Optimisation, and Marketplace.

Participation is free of charge for selected startups. Any travel or accommodation costs, where applicable, must be covered by participants.

Who can apply

Applicants must:

• Be a mature startup located in or operating in Cyprus
• Be past the initial idea or concept stage
• Be committed to fully participating in the training and mentoring programme until December 2026
• Be available to attend the Graduation Ceremony in December 2026

Timeline

• Application deadline: 10 June 2026
• Evaluation and selection: 10–18 June 2026
• Training and mentoring activities: 18 June–30 November 2026
• Graduation Ceremony: December 2026 at European University Cyprus

How to apply

Applicants must complete the programme’s application form by 10 June 2026. For further information, interested startups can contact startup@euc.ac.cy.

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.