Cyprus Launches €1.5 Million Grant Scheme for Cybersecurity Innovation

Cyprus has launched a €1.5 million grant scheme to support existing businesses in developing and commercialising innovative cybersecurity products and services, with eligible projects able to receive funding of up to €100,000.

The programme, titled “Fast Track Innovation – Cybersecurity”, was announced by the Digital Security Authority (DSA), acting as Cyprus’ National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY), in cooperation with the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF). The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also encouraged eligible businesses to consider applying.

The scheme is designed to help companies accelerate the development and market introduction of cybersecurity solutions. Eligible areas include innovative software, hardware and educational or training materials intended to improve cybersecurity awareness and capabilities among critical infrastructure operators, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and students.

Funding is intended primarily for businesses that have already developed innovative products or services and reached at least the testing or pilot implementation stage. The programme can support further development and optimisation, prototyping, demonstrations, pilot operations, testing and validation, as well as preparations for commercial production and marketing.

The objective is to help participating companies bring competitive solutions to market more quickly and support their commercialisation, including in international markets. The scheme therefore focuses on advancing existing innovations rather than funding projects solely at the initial idea stage.

The total budget available under the call is €1.5 million, with a maximum grant of €100,000 per project. Eligible applicants are small and medium-sized enterprises falling within the programme’s specified categories, subject to the detailed eligibility requirements and funding conditions.

Applications opened on 9 October 2026 and must be submitted by 8 December 2026 at 13:00 Cyprus time. Proposals are to be submitted through the Research and Innovation Foundation’s IRIS online platform, where applicants can access the relevant call documents and guidance.

The programme is co-financed by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union’s Digital Europe Programme under the N4CY2 project, “Advancing the NCC-CY: The Next Chapter of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre of Cyprus”. The project supports the continued development of Cyprus’ national cybersecurity coordination capabilities.

To help prospective applicants understand the funding rules and application process, the Research and Innovation Foundation and NCC-CY have scheduled an online information webinar for 26 October 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00 Cyprus time. Interested businesses can register through the official programme information channels and submit questions in advance.

Companies considering an application should review the official call documents carefully, particularly the eligibility criteria, requirements concerning the maturity of the proposed solution and the rules governing eligible project activities and costs.

The scheme provides a funding opportunity for Cyprus-based businesses seeking to develop or improve cybersecurity products, services and training solutions, while supporting the wider development of the country’s cybersecurity innovation ecosystem.

By fLEXI tEAM