RIF’s Sponsorships Programme
The RIF’s Sponsorships Programme promotes the Foundation’s strategic goal of nurturing a Culture of Research and Innovation (R&I) in the ecosystem and the wider public through actions that support R&I, including skills development.
This Programme aims to support entities for the organisation of high-quality events with significant impact, with a central theme that aims to promote science, research and innovation, as well as the promotion of digital skills and STEM to the general public.
On the other hand, through the support of the participation of groups of students in International Competitions, the following are pursued:
- encouragement of interaction and engagement with science, research, technological development and innovation;
- enhancement of efforts to successfully participate in activities promoting extroversion and contributing to the visibility of their activities and Cyprus internationally, and
- contribution, in the long run, to nurturing a culture of research and innovation in society at large and in particular in the younger generation.
Specific Limitations
- The same event or part of an event (including events within events) cannot be funded in the framework of two categories (Category A and B).
- It is not allowed to apply for funding for two events so that one is hosted inside the other.
- No application is allowed for events hosted between 15/04/2023 – 01/09/2023 that have been approved for funding from RIF’s Sponsorships Programme 2022.
- Applications for medium scale events related to promotion of digital skills and STEM must fall under Category B2.
The organisation of the following events is not eligible for funding:
- scientific conferences, workshops, info days to present the results of research projects or other activities aimed at a specific audience,
- events that are not open to the public,
- award ceremonies for competitions or other activities (unless they are part of the overall event),
- events that have a similar objective and/or overlap with activities and/or events organised by the RIF, and
- events that receive funding for the same activities from projects funded by the RIF or the EU and/or other sources.
Organisation of an Event
Beneficiaries: An application for sponsorship can be submitted by entities legally established and active in territories under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. The submission of applications by natural persons is not permitted.
The application must be about the organisation of an event that:
- has as its central theme the promotion of research, technological development and innovation, enhancing relevant actions of the RIF,
- aims to inform participants and raise public awareness regarding the importance and role of research, technological development and innovation, as well as to present relevant examples or achievements in a practical and comprehensive way,
- attracts a large audience, regardless of the target group (age, gender, etc.), and will be implemented in the period for which the corresponding application is submitted (1st Period: 15/04/2023 – 15/11/2023, 2nd Period: 16/11/2023 – 15/06/2024).
It is noted that, especially for Category B2, the scope of the event must be related to the promotion of digital skills and STEM, as well as their use in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Each application may include a large number of activities that are part of a single event (eg. festival).
Category A – Large Scale Events
Category A funds events with international reach mainly aiming at promoting research, technological development and innovation, enhancing relevant measures undertaken by RIF, promoting Cyprus as an R&I hub abroad. The event may be supported by more than one sponsors and part of the event income may be a result of ticket sales.
Each event to be funded under Category A must:
- address an audience of more than 750 participants,
- have a total budget exceeding 80.000 Euro,
- have an international dimension and/or reach, aiming to attract participants and/or co-organisers from abroad,
- include, among others, important presence of distinguished speakers on R&I matters from Cyprus and abroad, as well as actions encouraging mobilization and networking among members of the Cyprus R&I ecosystem, bringing together local and international entities and enterprises and/or supporting the development of R&I skills.
- include in the event programme, to be submitted in advance:
- Welcoming / keynote speech by the Chief Scientist for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus and / or a member of the RIF’s Board of Directors and / or the Director General of the RIF,
- Panel discussion on a subject to be decided by the Chief Scientist / the RIF with a moderator and panel members to be defined by the Chief Scientist / the RIF.
A RIF kiosk on the premises where the event will be held, hosting two RIF staff members and 10 startups or other entities funded by the RIF.
Categories B1 and B2 – Medium Scale Events
Category B partially funds events with major reach mainly aiming at promoting research, technological development and innovation, enhancing relevant measures undertaken by RIF, and/or partially funds events contributing to the development of R&I skills, attracting audience from Cyprus including the local R&I ecosystem. The event may be supported by more than one sponsors and part of the event income may be a result of ticket sales.
In addition, Category B2 is exclusively about events that promote digital skills and STEM, as well as their use in innovation and entepreneurship.
Each event to be funded under Categories B1 and B2 must:
- address an audience of more than 200 participants,
- have a total budget exceeding 30.000 Euro,
- include, among others, important presence of distinguished speakers on R&I matters from Cyprus and abroad or in the case of events contributing to the development of R&I skills, to be part of a wider initiative organised in more than ten countries.
- include actions to mobilize the R&I ecosystem of Cyprus, encouraging networking and brining all local entities together.
- Include in the event programme, which must be submitted to RIF in advance:
- Welcoming / keynote speech by the Chief Scientist for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus and / or a member of the RIF’s Board of Directors and / or the Director General of the RIF,
- Panel discussion on a subject to be decided by the Chief Scientist / the RIF with a moderator and panel members to be defined by the Chief Scientist / the RIF or a RIF Info-Corner and/or session to present and promote the role of the RIF and its activities during the event.
