Introduction

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the Italian Republic signed a Protocol of Cooperation on Research and Development on the 14^th July 2007. A Joint Call for Proposals was launched on the 1^st September 2006, inviting parties / cooperating partners from the two countries to submit research proposals falling into one of the thematic priorities specified in the Joint Research Cooperation Programme. The deadline for the submission of proposals was the 9^th October 2006.