R.P.F.

RESEARCH PROMOTION FOUNDATION

Founded in 1996, the Research Promotion Foundation (RPF) was established at the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, to promote the development of scientific and technological research in Cyprus due to the fundamental importance of research in contemporary societies.

The Research Promotion Foundation is a non-governmental organisation, supported by the Government of Cyprus, and its main objective is to promote the development of scientific and technological research. It is governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Council of Ministers for a five-year period.

During the eight years of its operation the Foundation has developed a wide range of initiatives and financed high-level research projects in cutting edge areas, which promote competitiveness and innovation. One of the Foundation’s basic objectives is to promote the participation of enterprises in research activities and increase their capabilities to develop new products and services.

More specifically the Foundation has developed several funding programs aiming at:

* Involving Cypriot enterprises in research activities
* Enhancing the cooperation between Cypriot enterprises and research centres
* Increasing the Cypriot enterprises competitiveness of through the development at new products and services
* Developing new, innovative methods of production
* Effective exploitation of research results for they benefit of the Cypriot enterprises

The Research Promotion Foundation has developed a wide range of activities. Among RPF’s main activities is the development of national competitive programs for financing of research projects and support of research activities. Moreover, RPF has developed several activities to facilitate the creation of networks between Cypriot and foreign scientists. Most of these activities relate to the involvement of Cypriot scientists in European research programmes, the cooperation with international organisations supporting research activities and the preparation and implementation of bilateral agreements between Cyprus and other countries in the field of research and technological development.