Filenews 2 January 2023 - by Evagoras Prokopiou
With timetables, an action plan, putting under its umbrella as many sectors as possible and with the involvement of public and private sector bodies, the New Research & Innovation Strategy was launched.
The creation of an integrated Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategy for the development of a strong, unified and well-interconnected national ecosystem is a priority, says Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Filippos Hadjizacharias. The new Research and Innovation Strategy 2024-2026, announced very recently, is based on studies and strategies prepared for the Republic of Cyprus, such as the Strategic Framework for R&I, entitled "Innovate Cyprus 2019-2023", the long-term Strategy for sustainable development of the Cypriot economy, entitled "Vision 2035", the Recovery and Resilience Plan "Cyprus for Tomorrow", the Partnership Agreement, "T.A.L.E.I.A." 2021-2027, the "Digital Cyprus 2025" Strategy, as well as the Strategy for Attracting Investments.
In addition, it takes into account EU policies, programmes and guidelines, such as the European Research Area, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe 2021-2027, as well as the European Commission's Communication "New European Innovation Agenda". In addition, the thematic areas of the R&I Strategy focus on the priorities of the Smart Specialisation Strategy 2031.
STRONG INNOVATORS
The basis on which the strategy will be based in order to translate it into projects and realities is outlined in the latest annual report of the European Commission's "European Innovation Scoreboard 2023", where Cyprus is classified in the category "Strong Innovators".
Specifically, Cyprus occupies the 10th place among the 27 EU Member States, showing by far the largest increase in its performance, with 35.6%, between 2016 and 2023, compared to just 8.5% of the EU average. Innovation performance grew steadily between 2016 and 2020 and accelerated strongly in 2021, leading to a 45% increase in performance in 2023. Progress is most evident in the categories related to attractiveness of research systems, ecosystem interconnections and innovative SMEs.
In addition, Cyprus has improved its position in the Global Innovation Index (GII) in recent years, recording a steady upward trend and securing the 28th place among 132 economies in 2023.
The country ranks 2nd in the North Africa and West Asia region, ensuring higher global rankings in knowledge and technology outputs (23rd) and creative outputs (17th). Cyprus achieved the highest per capita absorption of Horizon 2020 funding, securing three times more resources than the national contribution of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU.
Cyprus also ranks 1st among the countries that secured funding for the creation of Centres of Excellence, through the "Teaming for Excellence" Programme of the EU Framework Programme.
RESEARCH & INNOVATION STRATEGY 2024-2026
R&I is divided into four plus one pillars of targeting, which will try to cover the whole range of project design and practices that should be implemented for the strategy to achieve its purpose.
Pillar A: World-class research organisations and infrastructures
The main objective of this Pillar is to develop internationally recognised scientific teams with world-class infrastructures in key research areas. The ultimate goal is to promote high-level research, establish collaborations with leading global organizations and research groups and attract higher-level academics, students and postdoctoral researchers. This is expected to contribute to strengthening Cyprus' participation in the European Framework Programme for R&I, especially in the flagship programmes of Pillars I, II and III, as well as in the European Missions and European Partnerships.
In essence, the strengthening of scientific excellence in research organizations, by setting up a crediting mechanism and publicly funded research organizations for the allocation of publicly available grant funds. Also, the formulation of a mechanism for evaluating the impact of R&I to determine the amount of the grant envelope.
Among the objectives of this pillar is the optimal use of national research infrastructures, by developing a framework for third party access to research infrastructures. Also, the operation of a knowledge transfer office structure in each research organization (NT), as well as the adoption of legislation for the establishment of spin-offs by public universities.
Among the actions of this pillar is included the creation of a national repository and connection with institutional repositories of scientific publications and research data and their introduction as a mandatory provision in the announcement of competitive programs.
Pillar B: Connecting research and innovation with business
Enhancing the extroversion and internationalisation of local businesses is key to economic growth, as recorded in R&D. For this reason, supporting access to international markets and systems that boost exports of medium and high-tech products in priority sectors is also part of the strategy.
Within this pillar, actions are planned, such as the campaign to inform businesses about tax and other incentives of the state for R&I activities, such as the increased tax deduction for spending on research and development (120%). Also, the introduction of targeted blended finance programs in priority sectors as incentives for businesses to engage and enhance private investment in R&D and commercialization and innovation. The introduction of funding programs for knowledge transfer, cooperation and mobility between research organizations and businesses is also promoted and the evaluation of an existing framework for attracting investment capital and promoting policy and incentive measures will be examined through a study to be conducted by the Ministry of Finance.
Within this framework and in this direction, the facilitation of strategic investments will be examined, by assessing and enhancing the attractiveness and visibility of the Start-up Visa measure, as well as the digitalization and simplification of the process of securing it.
Also, the revision of the existing policy for the employment of personnel from third countries employed by companies / businesses of foreign interests, as well as for the employment of highly skilled Third Country Nationals, is under way. The Digital Nomad Visa (with a maximum initial limit of 100 beneficiaries) is also being launched.
Finally, the aim of creating Branding for the R&I ecosystem of Cyprus is included, by promoting the R&I ecosystem and Cyprus as a center of scientific excellence, technological development and entrepreneurship abroad in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CIPA.
Pillar C: Investing in people
The ability of the R&I ecosystem to attract, develop and retain talent within the national ecosystem, such as attracting foreign talent willing to work in Cyprus and repatriating distinguished scientists from abroad, also contributes to the goal of strengthening research and innovation capacity.
To this end, the establishment of substantial cooperation between industry and academia is foreseen, creating the necessary conditions for the development of curricula that are aligned with the needs of the industry. Important in this pillar of R&I action is the support of researchers' careers and career prospects, which is identified as a priority to ensure the attractiveness and sustainability of the research profession.
The actions that will contribute to this direction are measures to increase the number of doctoral students, with emphasis on STEM, provision of opportunities for two-way mobility between businesses and research space, research centers, business bodies, integration and development of the skills of the next generation, based on the needs of the economy, identification of future skills needs and proposal for the development of these skills.
It also provides for the alignment of the framework for the employment of researchers with the recommendations of European policy and the European Research Area, such as the "European Charter for the Researcher and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers" and others. As well as promotion of R&I culture, creativity and entrepreneurship through funding programs, competitions, awards and information activities and recognition and promotion of standards through RIF.
Pillar D: Cyprus as a brand name in the EU and internationally
Focus on cross-border and multilateral cooperation includes activities related to enhancing the openness of the R&I ecosystem, promoting the exchange of technological expertise and jointly developing new technological solutions to address contemporary challenges; at least that is the description of this pillar.
The R&C forum should also strengthen the country's representation in EU policy-making and advisory bodies, European research infrastructures and partnerships, as well as industry forums and research associations.
With the main purpose of building a strong brand internationally and positioning Cyprus as a "Regional R&I Hub" is an integral part of the strategy. This includes actively communicating achievements, collaborations and contributions to the global R&I community. In the hope, this will cultivate a recognizable distinct identity and showcase the country's potential, with the main ambition to attract international collaborations, investment and recognition, consolidating its position as a regional leader in R&I.
More active involvement in European policy-making is also needed through intensified participation in policy-making bodies and ecosystem awareness as well as systematic consultation of the ecosystem on EU policies and priorities. Utilization of transnational partnerships by valuing existing transnational partnerships and exploiting them for the benefit of the ecosystem while strengthening the role of the Republic of Cyprus in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
Cooperation with international/European research organizations and infrastructures is also foreseen, by evaluating existing ones and exploring the possibility of establishing new collaborations while making the best use of Cyprus' participation in international organizations and European research infrastructures (CERN, SESAME, PRIMA) for the benefit of the ecosystem.
Also, participation in European Research Infrastructure Consortia – ESFRI with revision of the national roadmap for participation in European ESFRI research infrastructure consortia, such as the development of a framework, monitoring and coordination of participation in the governance and activities of ESFRI research infrastructures and the creation of national hubs to promote awareness and opportunities for ecosystem participation in ESFRI European research infrastructure consortia.
Another action under the umbrella of this pillar is effective participation in the formulation of EU framework programmes, such as strengthening the system of representation and management of participation in the formulation of European funding programmes and the support process for the formulation of national positions and priorities.
Finally, participation of the Cypriot ecosystem in the EU Framework Programmes Incentives and Funding Programmes will be promoted. Also, under this regime will be the intensification of the provision of services of the national contact points of the EU Framework Programme, the incentives for the participation of the public sector in European funding programs, as well as the formation of a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating performance from the participation of Cypriot bodies in funding programs per program and per category of organizations. Measures will also be taken to increase participation in flagship European Research Council (ERC), European Innovation Council (EIC) and coordination of pan-European cooperation networks of Pillar II Global Challenges and European Industrial Development.
THEMATIC PILLAR
The thematic pillar includes a wide range of social and political engagement in the country, actions that may become more easily visible in the wider social fabric. The Smart Specialisation Strategy includes 8 sectoral priorities with added value to the economy and society, which are divided into 4 sub-pillars:
1.Technology priorities
Digital Technologies – Focus Areas for R&I in Digital Technologies:
• High-performance computing and quantum technologies
• Cybersecurity
• Digital Tourism
• Education, Culture and Creative Industries
• Smart City Apps
• Advanced processing and processing
• Test and demonstration acceleration
Innovative Materials
Focus areas for R&I in Innovative Materials:
• Development of new, safe, environmentally friendly and commercially viable methods of recycling a wide range of composites and reusing secondary raw materials
• Processing methods for nanomaterials and composites
• Development of innovative materials with improved characteristics for industrial, construction, energy and health applications
• Use of nanomaterials for Earth observation and for the aviation and space industries
• Innovative materials for environmentally friendly buildings and buildings with better performance in stress conditions (earthquakes, extreme environmental conditions).
2. Cyprus Ecosystems
Focus areas for R&I in Agri-food:
• Diversifying and improving the competitiveness of the agri-food ecosystem
• Support activities that follow the principles of agroecology, aiming at improving the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural system and reducing its environmental footprint
• Mitigating the impact of climate change on the agri-food ecosystem
Focus areas for R&I in Shipping
• Digital technologies and Earth Observation for monitoring and decision making
• Decarbonisation of shipping
• Equipment and tools for marine applications
Focus areas for R&I in Renewable Energy Sources
• Renewable energy technologies
• Digital management and monitoring systems for energy production and distribution
• Energy efficiency in urban areas
3. Emerging priorities/ecosystems
Focus areas for R&I in Space
• Exploitation and use of data generated by space infrastructures for future applications
• Advanced materials for structures and equipment, used in Earth observation facilities and spacecraft
• Utilization of participation in European Space Agency (ESA) programs for commercialization of research results
4. Catalyst Sectors
Focus areas for R&I in Health:
• Clinical and Genetic Investigation and Treatment of Diseases
• Digital health
• Innovative products
• Promotion of public health and quality of life
Focus areas for R&I in the Environment:
• Adaptation to climate change
• Monitoring and protection of the environment from economic and human activities
• Greening industry and economic activities
• Management of natural resources and protection of biodiversity
