Call for Proposals for the Research Strategic Infrastructures / Strategic Infrastructures / 1222
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
THALIA: Foundations of Change, Prosperity, Equality and Development
Programme “THALIA 2021-2027” constitutes a multi-annual, multi-fund development Programme that was drawn up in accordance to the Article 22 of the Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 (Common Provisions Regulation – CPR), outlining the development strategy for the utilisation of the resources allocated to Cyprus through the Cohesion Policy Funds, for the period 2021-2027.
The total budget of the Programme amounts to €1.81 billion, of which €968 million comes from the EU Cohesion Policy Funds, while the remaining €842 million is the national contribution.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The “Research Infrastructures” Program aims to create of new large-scale research infrastructures that will be used for the implementation of research projects by the Consortium. In particular, the funded projects should promote collaboration between stakeholders of the R&I ecosystem (research organisations, enterprises or other organisations) in order to effectively share the research infrastructure.
In addition, through the implementation of the Programme the following are expected:
- the creation of clusters for the development of new centres of excellence with significant prospects in the coming years,
- the accessibility of the R&I ecosystem to state-of-the-art research equipment that enhances research excellence and innovation capacity in specific thematic areas.
- creating a critical mass of researchers in cutting-edge sectors and creating jobs for young scientists;
- the possible attraction of high-level research staff to Cyprus,
- to promote effective research collaboration at national level, and
- expanding the potential of involved organisations to attract additional competitive funds for research and innovation from other funding sources.
Detailed Call Description
The Call “Strategic Research Infrastructures” concerns the funding of projects aimed at creating new large-scale research infrastructures that will be used for the implementation of a research project by the Consortium. The new research infrastructures will implement high-level cutting-edge research and the proposed projects will focus on subjects that fall under selected thematic priorities, which are listed below. Through the proposed research projects, effective collaboration between stakeholders and departments of the same organisation (where applicable) should be promoted to maximize the use of infrastructure.
Specifically, funded projects under the Program “Research Infrastructures” can concern:
- Acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment to upgrade the research capacity of an existing team/unit or
- Creation of a new team/unit (incl. recruitment of staff) through the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment.
According to the “Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation (2014/C 198/01” and article 2 (91) of the General Block Exemption Regulation ‘research infrastructure’ means facilities, resources and related services that are used by the scientific community to conduct research in their respective fields and covers scientific equipment or sets of instruments, knowledge-based resources such as collections, archives or structured scientific information, enabling information and communication technology-based infrastructures such as grid, computing, software and communication, or any other entity of a unique nature essential to conduct research.
The Consortium should:
- justify there is not already a research infrastructure equivalent to the proposed one in Cyprus,
- justify the need to establish such infrastructure in Cyprus, and
- document the need and possibility of its extensive use (through the provision of relevant access) by the research and business community.
The proposed Research Infrastructures should have the ability to gradually penetrate the modern international research scene of their field and/or serve the research needs of Cypriot society, economy and industry. The Coordinator can be any high-level researcher who is either already an employee of the Host Organisation or an external one who will be called upon to undertake this role.
The proposed research infrastructure should:
- provide access on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis to other stakeholders of the ecosystem according to the state aid regulation and the RESTART 2016-2020 Framework. In this context, letters of expression of interest for the use of the infrastructure by additional entities not participating in the research project should be included. It is understood that the Host Organisation shall respect and comply with all applicable laws, policies and/or regulations relating to open access to publicly funded research infrastructures.
- be used for the implementation of a research project by the Consortium of at least three independent organisations. At least one of the participating organisations in the consortium must be from the private sector.
The proposals submitted should fall under one of the following Thematic Priorities.
- Health
- Environment (incl. Renewable Energy Sources and advanced materials).
- Shipping – Marine Transportation
- Agriculture – Food
- Information and Communication Technologies (incl. space technologies)
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
60% / €1 500 000 – €2 500 000 funding per project
Thematic Categories
- Agriculture - Food
- Environment and Climate Change
- Health
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Shipping - Marine Transports
Eligibility for Participation
- Associations
- Central Government
- Chambers
- Educational Institutions
- International Organisations
- Large Enterprises
- Local Authorities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Semi-governmental organisations
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
- Trade Unions
- Training Centres
Eligibility For Participation Notes
The Host Organisation (HO) must be a Research Organisation (A1, A2) or an Enterprise. (Β.1, Β.2, Β.3).
Research Organisations (A), Enterprises (B) or Other Organisations (C) may participate as additional Partner Organisations.
The consortium must include at least three Organisations. At least one of the participating organisations in the consortium must be from the private sector (cat. B1, B2, B3, C1, A2-privately funded research center).
All general rules and procedures for the participation of organisations and individuals, the eligible activities and costs, as well as the specific information regarding the RESTART 2016-2020 Programmes, are included in the RESTART 2016-2020 Work Programme, which is the basic reference document and an important information source for interested parties and can be found on the Research and Innovation Foundation’s IRIS (Innovation Research Information System) Portal (https://iris.research.org.cy/#/documentlibrary)
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
Partner Support Centre
Email: support@research.org.cy
Τelephone: +357 22 205 000