Cyprus Debuts €306.9 Million RESTART Program for 2016-2020 Period
The AI in Government Program, a new funding initiative, has been introduced within Cyprus' RESTART 2016-2020 Program. This program, overseen by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), aims to support innovation in government through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
The RESTART 2016-2020 Program, with a total budget of €306,900,000, is a significant funding source for research, technological development, and innovation in Cyprus. The AI in Government Program is a notable component within these ongoing initiatives, as it was recently updated as part of the State Aid Measure for the RESTART 2016-2020 Program, which was deemed compatible with EU state aid rules under Decision No. 462 of November 19, 2024.
The AI in Government Program targets entities involved in research and innovation within Cyprus, specifically those capable of developing and implementing AI solutions for government applications. This typically includes research organizations, startups, and companies engaged in technology and innovation sectors under the RIF framework.
The program was announced around mid-2025, indicating an extension or new wave of initiatives continuing beyond the original 2020 end date of the RESTART 2016-2020 Program. The exact budget for AI in Government under RESTART 2016-2020 has not been explicitly detailed, but it is clear that this program forms a significant part of the ongoing initiatives as of 2025.
The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) is the implementing authority responsible for managing and running this funding program, including calls for proposals and evaluation of submissions.
In summary, the AI in Government Program is a recent initiative under the broader Cyprus RESTART 2016-2020 framework, managed by RIF, targeting innovative AI solutions in the public sector. Further precise budget and detailed eligibility criteria should be obtained directly from the Research and Innovation Foundation's official announcements as they become fully published.
The AI in Government Program, with undisclosed funding from the extended RESTART 2016-2020 Program, is being managed by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) to support tech innovation, development, and implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Cyprus' business and public sectors. This initiative aligns with the EU's state aid rules, as it falls under the State Aid Measure for the RESTART 2016-2020 Program. The Program encourages participation from research organizations, startups, and technology companies within Cyprus, focusing on AI solutions that can benefit government applications. The AI in Government Program's budget within RESTART 2016-2020 was updated in November 2024, with additional details expected to be released by the RIF as their official announcements become fully published.
