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Unlock the full potential of your commercialization endeavors
Our Application Process
How to Apply
- Call Announcement: Early September
- Deadline for Submission of Applications: 31st October 2024
- Interview Notifications to Shortlisted Teams: Early January
- Interviews of Shortlisted Teams: Mid-January 2025
- Announcement of Grantees: End of January 2025
- Commencement of the 4th Cycle: February 2025
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant can only be a research Team of a private or public research organisation
established in Cyprus including universities, research institutions and Centers of
Excellence. - The applicant Team should consist of at least a Principal Investigator and a Champion
(Post-Doc, PhD or MS, both near completion of thesis). - The research team intend to transition their work from the lab to the marketplace
seeking financing from private investment as well as national grants provided by the
Research and Innovation Foundation (i.e., Pre-Seed). - The PI should be eager to participate in programs and partnerships early on to increase likelihood of commercialization. The PI should be a role model in encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in their lab or department.
- If the desired commercialization path is through creation of a spinoff, the Champion should be seriously intending to work full-time with the spin-off.
- Research projects from any industry sector and technology field are eligible.
- The team to have signed an Invention Disclosure Form (IDF) with the Technology Transfer/Innovation Office of their Hosting Institution.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Global Economic, Environmental, and Social Impact Potential
- Market Need/Fit
- Scientific Merit
- Commercialization Strategy
- Project Team
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Address climate change and environmental protection.
- Can demonstrate technology maturity
Evaluation Process
The applications which meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed by international evaluators.
Each application will be reviewed by a minimum of two non-Cyprus-based experienced evaluators with a relevant scientific and business background.
Shortlisted teams will be invited to the next step of the evaluation process, which is a 30-minute interview with a committee of international experts. A pitch deck will be requested to be submitted before the interview date.
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions of each call vary, according to the availability of grants and sustainability issues that arise in each cycle of applications. Make sure to read our terms and conditions for our next cycle when this becomes available.
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Application form
The application will be published when the 4th Call for Applications is announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still looking for answers? Find below further information on Cyprus Seeds and its unique program.
No. Nationality does not play a role–provided that you have the necessary work permits and plan to establish your company in Cyprus
A consortium is an association of several companies. Unlike other funding programmes, Cyprus Seeds is not placing a premium on applications where consortiums are in place.
No, though co-funding is recommended by Cyprus Seeds from the host institution, it is not a requirement for participation in the Program. Cyprus Seeds believes it is important for host institutions to be engaged in the commercialization process of their research groups. To this effect, Cyprus Seeds suggests that host institutions co-fund projects selected by Cyprus Seeds.
No. The host institution will not deduct overheads from the grant amount to be approved by Cyprus Seeds.
A Non-Disclosure Agreement is signed by both the Evaluators and Mentors who offer services to the Cyprus Seeds Programme. Applications are shared with Evaluators and Mentors under confidence. The submissions do not constitute a public release.
You can send an email to [email protected] expressing your interest and you will be added to Cyprus Seeds’ contact list and its Newsletter Database.