Research and Innovation background
Cyprus has been progressively developing its research and innovation (R&I) landscape, with a strong focus on aligning with European standards and fostering economic growth through technological advancement. Some key documents guiding research and innovation in Cyprus are outlined below.
The country’s R&I efforts are guided by the R&I Strategy 2024-2026, which aims to enhance Cyprus’s research capabilities, support innovation, and integrate these efforts into broader economic and societal goals. The primary goal of the Strategy is to drive the country’s economic development by enhancing its economic competitiveness and boosting Cyprus's appeal as a leading investment and business destination on the global stage.
Innovate Cyprus is the national strategy framework for research and innovation for the period 2019-2023. The vision of the strategy is to make Cyprus “a dynamic and competitive economy driven by research, scientific excellence, innovation, technological development and entrepreneurship and to become a regional hub in these fundamental areas”.
The Smart Specialisation Strategy 2023-2030 for Cyprus, developed by the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) with Technopolis group, updates priorities based on evaluations of past programmes and current R&I needs. Effective from March 30, 2023, it identifies new priority sectors:
- Technological Areas: Digital Technologies, Advanced Materials
- Ecosystems: Agrifood, Renewable Energy, Maritime and Shipping
- Emerging Ecosystem: Space
- Enablers: Health and Environment
The development of a Long-Term Economic Strategy for Cyprus, published in January 2022 aims to contribute to the institutional, administrative and growth-sustaining structural reforms in Cyprus. The specific aims of the service contract are to support the following:
- Initiatives of national authorities to design their reforms according to their priorities, taking into account initial conditions and expected socioeconomic impacts.
- National authorities in enhancing their capacity to formulate, develop and implement reform policies and strategies and in pursuing an integrated approach, ensuring consistency between goals and means across sectors.
- Efforts of national authorities to define and implement appropriate processes and methodologies by considering good practices of and lessons learned by other countries in addressing similar situations.
The Cyprus Research & Innovation Strategy Framework 2019-2023 is the national strategy framework for research and innovation for the period 2019-2023. The framework outlines targets for “Cyprus to become a dynamic and competitive economy, driven by research, scientific excellence, innovation, technological development and entrepreneurship, and a regional hub in these fundamental areas”.
Transport policies and transport-related issues are addressed in various Government policy documents such as the Revised Europe 2020 National Reform Programme of the Republic of Cyprus (2020), which contains the national strategies for various economic sectors including transport and well as on the strategic planning document of the competent Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works. Moreover, information on national transport policies and actions could be found in European publications such as the CEDR Action Plan 2022-2024, prepared by the organisation of European national road administrations where Cyprus is a member, providing a strategic map from a European perspective.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)
Institutional framework of transport research
The oversight of research and innovation in Cyprus is primarily managed by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), which is responsible for funding research projects and promoting innovation across various sectors. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, and Youth supports R&I initiatives through policy development and coordination, ensuring alignment with national and European goals. Additionally, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works is specifically tasked with implementing transport-related research and innovation policies, focusing on the development of infrastructure and the integration of advanced technologies in the transport sector. Urban transport policies are also partly formulated by the Ministry of Interior and more specifically by the Department of Town Planning and Housing, which is the responsible department for the formulation and publication of urban plans.
The Deputy Ministry for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, is the competent authority for the design and implementation of the Government policy for R&I. By supporting scientific research, investing in innovative entrepreneurship and implementing an ambitious digital transformation reform, the Deputy Ministry aspires to develop a modern and efficient state, competitive at European and international level, and a dynamic digital economy, where every citizen and every business will be able to grow and prosper.
The National Board for Research and Innovation (NBRI) is the advisory to the President of the Republic body for defining R&I strategy. The Council is responsible for promoting and implementing the National Strategic Framework for R&I, for submitting proposals and suggestions on strategy issues and for monitoring the implementation of actions adopted at policy level. Additionally, the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) plays a role in providing expertise and support for technical standards and innovations in the transport sector.
The Chief Scientist coordinates and supervises the formulation of the national R&I policy and the overall operation of the National R&I Governance System, including the Departments and Bodies involved in both the political and operational levels. In addition, the Chief Scientist participates as ex-officio member and supports the work of NBRI.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
Cyprus benefits from a range of funding and support mechanisms for research and innovation, both at the national and European levels.
The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) is a key player in providing grants and support for research projects across various fields, including transport. The foundation’s funding programs are designed to support both fundamental research and applied innovations, fostering advancements in multiple sectors.
In addition to national funding, Cyprus participates in European Union programs such as Horizon Europe, which offers substantial funding for research and innovation projects across the EU. The Cohesion Fund and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) also provide financial support for infrastructure projects, including those related to transport. For transport-specific research and development, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) provides funding for large-scale transport infrastructure projects, enhancing connectivity and promoting sustainable transport solutions.
Funding for R&I has been available via the Framework Programme RESTART 2016-2020 for the support of Research, Technological Development and Innovation in Cyprus. The RESTART 2016-2020 constitutes a multiannual framework of Programmes for Research, Technological Development and Innovation (RTDI) in Cyprus, co-funded by national and European funds and implemented in conjunction with other national initiatives and programmes.
The structure of the RESTART 2016-2020 Programme was based on the objectives, as well as the Priority Areas presented in the Smart Specialisation Strategy for Cyprus. At the same time, it is part of the Operational Programme “Competitiveness and Sustainable Development 2014-2020”, the development strategy of Cyprus for the use of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) resources under Priority Axis 1 “Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Economy”. The Priority Area “Transport/Shipping” is among the selected thematic priorities.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)