Cyprus has managed to secure 9 out of 30 successful proposals that have been approved by the European Commission in the framework of the “Teaming for Excellence” action, aiming to establish Centres of Excellence in Research and Innovation.

According to an announcement by the Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development, this is “a tremendous success in the EU`s `Horizon 2020` competitive program for Research and Innovation”.

This development is expected to contribute greatly in upgrading the research and business environment in Cyprus during the next few years, it is added.

Proposals that have been approved will receive in the first stage a funding of 0.4 mln each in order to prepare the business plan for establishing the Centre of Excellence. Recipients include University institutions, research centres, public service departments and local authorities.

Proposals from Cyprus were chosen from a total of 208 proposals through a very competitive process, it is noted. “This success reflects the very level of the academic and research community in Cyprus” and “is the result of the great importance the government ascribes to developing the field of Research and Development” the announcement concludes.