Open Calls

RIF Opens 2026–2027 Researchers In Schools Call For STEAM Visits Across Cyprus

by News Editor

Overview

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has opened a call for expressions of interest for researchers who wish to participate in the “Researchers in Schools” programme for the 2026–2027 school year. The programme invites researchers to take part in visits to schools in Primary Education, Secondary Education, and Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training across Cyprus.

First launched during the 2022–2023 school year, the programme aims to increase direct contact and interaction between students, teachers and researchers from different research fields in Cyprus. Its wider goal is to strengthen students’ interest in science, research and innovation, while also showing the relevance of research to everyday life and future career choices.

Programme Objectives

Through school visits, researchers will be invited to present their work to students in an engaging way. RIF encourages the use of creative and interactive presentation methods where possible, as well as equipment or tools that can be transported to schools for demonstration purposes.

For the 2026–2027 initiative, it will also be possible to arrange school visits to research organisations, giving students direct exposure to research environments.

Themes

Presentations should be linked to the STEAM educational approach, covering Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

Visit Schedule

Visits by researchers to schools, and/or visits by schools to research organisations, will be organised around international days connected to the STEAM fields.

The planned visit periods are:

  • Science: 9–13 November 2026, linked to World Science Day on 10 November 2026
  • Engineering: 1–5 March 2027, linked to World Engineering Day on 4 March 2027
  • Mathematics: 15–19 March 2027, linked to World Mathematics Day on 14 March 2027
  • Arts: 12–16 April 2027, linked to World Art Day on 15 April 2027
  • Technology: 17–21 May 2027, linked to World Technology Day on 17 May 2027

Who Can Participate

The call is addressed to researchers interested in visiting schools and presenting their work to students as part of the programme. Participating schools may come from almost all districts of Cyprus, including semi-mountainous, mountainous and remote areas.

After the expression-of-interest stage, RIF will contact researchers to inform them about schools that have expressed interest in hosting researcher visits or organising visits to research organisations. Specific arrangements for each researcher will be made three to four weeks before the relevant visit period.

RIF will select the school based on the researcher’s preferences and availability, as well as the priority order of schools’ expressions of interest. If an issue arises, an alternative arrangement may be made in consultation with the responsible RIF officer.

Support

RIF may, upon request, cover part of researchers’ expenses for travel and the transport of relevant equipment to schools.

How To Apply

Researchers who wish to participate must declare their availability through the online form by 30 September 2026.

About The Programme

The “Researchers in Schools” programme is implemented as part of the European project “CELEBRATE 2.0 – TWO DECADES OF STEAM-POWERED INSPIRATION”, funded by the European Commission under the EU Horizon Europe research and innovation programme for 2021–2027.

Junior Achievement Cyprus Launches 2026–2027 Company Programme For Student Entrepreneurs

by News Editor

Overview

Junior Achievement Cyprus has launched its Company Programme for the 2026–2027 academic year, giving students the opportunity to design, launch and run their own real-world companies from the ground up.

The programme challenges student teams to develop a business idea, build a working company structure, manage a budget and bring a real product or service to market within a single academic year. Participants take on roles such as Managing Director, Finance Director and Marketing Director, gaining hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, teamwork and financial literacy.

Benefits

Throughout the year, participants will receive mentorship from local business professionals, who will guide them through the competition. The programme is designed to build essential skills in leadership, financial management and innovation, while giving students a taste of running a business.

Last year’s programme brought together 91 student companies from 51 schools across Cyprus. Cyprus’s national winning team, HerShield, went on to place third in the JA Europe Company of the Year competition. Junior Achievement Cyprus says this year’s aim is to extend the opportunity to even more schools and young people.

Who Can Participate

The programme is aimed at students who will work in teams to create and operate their own companies during the academic year. An introductory online session for secondary teachers will take place on 29 September.

Partners

The Company Programme is supported by PwC Cyprus and the Youth Board of Cyprus as strategic partners. Its partners are XM and Coffee Island, while supporters include the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Amdocs, Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus and the Research and Innovation Foundation. The institutional partner is the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.

How To Register

Registrations are available through the Junior Achievement Cyprus website. For more information, interested participants can contact Programme Coordinator Marios Kakouris at marios.kakouris@jacyprus.org or info@jacyprus.org, or call 99 203701.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is one of the world’s largest organisations dedicated to preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship. Through experiential programmes in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, work readiness and active citizenship, JA helps young people build the skills and confidence to shape their futures. Operating in more than 100 countries, JA connects education with the world of work through collaboration with schools, educators, volunteers and businesses.

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