Frequently Asked Questions
Horizon Europe Programme (HEP)
What is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the European Union's flagship research and innovation funding program aimed at driving scientific excellence, fostering innovation, and tackling global challenges. It is the successor to the Horizon 2020 program and supports research and innovation activities across various sectors.
What are the main objectives of Horizon Europe programs?
The main objectives include advancing scientific knowledge, addressing societal challenges, promoting innovation and competitiveness, supporting the European Green Deal and digital transformation, and strengthening the European Research Area (ERA) through international cooperation.
Who can participate in Horizon Europe programs?
Participation is open to a wide range of stakeholders including researchers, universities, research organizations, businesses (including SMEs), NGOs, public bodies, and other entities across EU member states and associated countries.
What types of projects are funded under Horizon Europe programs?
Horizon Europe funds projects covering various research and innovation areas such as health, climate change, energy, digitalization, agriculture, mobility, social sciences, and fundamental research. Projects may range from basic research to innovation-driven initiatives with a focus on societal impact.
How can organizations apply for funding under Horizon Europe programs?
Organizations can apply for funding through open calls for proposals issued by the European Commission or relevant national agencies. These calls outline specific topics, eligibility criteria, funding rules, and deadlines for submitting project proposals.
What is the budget allocated to Horizon Europe programs?
The budget allocated to Horizon Europe is substantial and constitutes a significant portion of the EU's overall budget for research and innovation. The specific budget varies depending on the funding period and priorities set by the EU institutions.
What are some success stories of projects funded under Horizon Europe programs?
Success stories include groundbreaking research discoveries, innovative technologies, sustainable solutions to societal challenges, successful collaborations between academia and industry, and the development of new products or services with high market potential.
How does Horizon Europe contribute to addressing global challenges?
Horizon Europe contributes to addressing global challenges by funding research and innovation activities that focus on areas such as climate change mitigation, sustainable development, health crises management, clean energy transition, and digitalization, fostering international cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Are there specific focus areas or priorities within Horizon Europe programs?
Yes, Horizon Europe programs prioritize certain areas aligned with EU policy objectives and global challenges, such as health, climate, digitalization, biodiversity, circular economy, clean energy, and inclusive societies.
How does Horizon Europe support collaboration and mobility among researchers?
Horizon Europe promotes collaboration and mobility among researchers through funding schemes such as collaborative research projects, European Research Council (ERC) grants, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) for researcher mobility, and the establishment of European research infrastructures and partnerships. These initiatives aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, skills development, and interdisciplinary research cooperation across borders.
Digital Europe Programme (DEP)
What is the Digital Europe programme?
Digital Europe programme is an initiative by the European Union aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of Europe's economy, industry and society. It encompasses various programs and initiatives focused on fostering digital skills, innovation, infrastructure development, and digitalization across different sectors.
What are the main objectives of Digital Europe programs?
The main objectives include enhancing Europe's digital competitiveness, promoting digital skills and literacy, supporting digital innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening cybersecurity, and ensuring that digital technologies benefit all citizens and businesses across the EU.
Who can participate in Digital Europe programs?
Participation is open to a wide range of stakeholders including governments, businesses (especially SMEs), research institutions, educational organizations, NGOs, and other entities interested in contributing to the digital transformation of Europe.
What types of projects are funded under Digital Europe programs?
Digital Europe programs fund projects focusing on various areas such as digital skills development, digital infrastructure deployment, digital innovation ecosystems, cybersecurity enhancement, digital public services, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
How can organizations apply for funding under Digital Europe programs?
Organizations can typically apply for funding through competitive calls for proposals issued by the European Commission or relevant national authorities. These calls outline specific eligibility criteria, objectives, and deadlines for submitting project proposals.
What is the budget allocated to Digital Europe programs?
The budget for Digital Europe programs may vary from one funding period to another. However, it typically constitutes a significant portion of the EU's overall budget allocated to promoting digital transformation and innovation.
What are some success stories of projects funded under Digital Europe programs?
Success stories include initiatives that have led to the development of innovative digital solutions, increased digital literacy among citizens and businesses, improved access to high-speed broadband networks in rural areas, enhanced cybersecurity capabilities, and the creation of thriving digital ecosystems supporting startups and SMEs.
How does Digital Europe contribute to the EU's digital sovereignty
Digital Europe aims to strengthen the EU's digital sovereignty by reducing its dependence on foreign technologies, promoting European values and standards in digital innovation, enhancing cybersecurity resilience, and fostering the development of European digital champions capable of competing globally.
Are there specific focus areas or priorities within Digital Europe programs?
Yes, Digital Europe programs often prioritize certain areas deemed critical for Europe's digital transformation, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital skills, digital infrastructure, data economy, and digital public services.
How does Digital Europe support collaboration and knowledge exchange among member states?
Digital Europe fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange through networking events, workshops, best practice sharing, joint research and innovation projects, and the establishment of digital innovation hubs and centers of excellence across Europe. These initiatives facilitate cross-border cooperation and the sharing of expertise to address common digital challenges effectively.
National Funding Schemes
What is the objective of the Programme?
The Programme aims to provide financial support to businesses to obtain cybersecurity certification through the implementation of solutions and the purchase of services to achieve a baseline level of cybersecurity and readiness to manage cyber-threats and meet future challenges, protecting their infrastructure, systems and information.
Which fund is financing the project?
The project is co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus (50%) and the Digital Europe Programme (50%) of the European Union.
Who can apply/propose for funding?
Eligible bodies/potential beneficiaries for funding are defined according to the scope of the Call. Potential beneficiaries may be physical persons, legal entities or both, including, where appropriate, enterprises, research and academic institutions, local authorities, etc.
Are there any restrictions and conditions for participation in the sponsorship scheme?
Each organisation can only receive funding as a Contractor for one project per year. The participation of entities as well as physical persons who regularly carry out economic activity in a proposal is considered valid if they are legally established and active in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus and will be documented by the existence of facilities and staff, audited financial statements, the entity’s tax declaration in the Republic of Cyprus, etc.
What are considered as eligible costs?
Eligible costs will be determined on the basis of the scope of the call.
What is the duration of the project?
Depending on the scope of the call, the implementation time will be determined.
What is the budget of the project?
The budget may vary from period to period. However, it usually represents a significant part of the overall EU budget allocated to strengthening cybersecurity. The total funding budget will be specified in the call.
What is the minimum and maximum funding per project?
Funding per project will be determined on the basis of the scope of the call.
How is the submission of proposals made?
Proposals can be submitted through the IRIS e-services portal (https://iris.research.org.cy/#!/) of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF).It is noted that the Project Coordinator and the Sponsoring Organisation must register in advance in the IRIS portal. Find the IRIS MANUAL here.
Can costs that have been incurred before the start of the project be covered retroactively?
Expenditure incurred before the start of the project is not eligible for funding. In order to be considered eligible, expenditure must, among others, relate to activities carried out during the implementation of the project and must have been paid no later than the date of submission of the Final Application for Payment. (See Call for Proposals RESTART 2016-2020 Article 3.3 Eligible Expenses).
Can eligible costs relate to salaries of employees of the Contractor Entity?
No, the eligible costs relate only to the purchase of services and equipment.
Who issues the Certification?
The Certification is issued by Certification Bodies, which are accredited according to ISO 17021 and ISO 27006 standards for conducting audits and certifications of information security management systems according to ISO/IEC 27001:2013 or ISO/IEC 27001:2022.
Is there a specific list of Certification Bodies?
Yes, with the announcement of the Call for Proposals, you will be able to find the list of Certification Bodies posted on the NCC-CY (https://ncc.cy/) and IDEA (https://www.research.org.cy/) websites.
What will happen if the Certification is not obtained within the duration of the funded project?
If the Certification is not obtained within the duration of the funded project, then the grant cannot be paid and the reimbursement of the advance payment will be requested.
Is it mandatory for beneficiaries to carry out a gab analysis before submitting proposals?
For the purposes of participating in the grant scheme and submitting a Proposal, beneficiaries should proceed with a gap analysis and draw conclusions about their current cybersecurity situation in real time, at technical, operational and strategic level, in relation to the set of rules, checkpoints and procedures for a baseline level of cybersecurity.
Are there any criteria for the consultants who will prepare the gap analysis?
No, there are no criteria for the gap analysis, but it is recommended to be done in English. The gap analysis can be prepared internally or by an external partner/consultant.
