The University of Cyprus responded to a call for proposals for Horizon 2020, the European Union’s newest research and innovation framework program. The objective of Horizon is to establish a center for research and scientific education in Nicosia. The center will facilitate interdisciplinary scientific research, education, responsible citizenship, and innovation, creating a teaching and learning environment for science and STEAM technology (Science – Technology- Engineering- Arts- Mathematics).

Universcience joined a consortium of 15 partners from 6 European countries, bringing its expertise in cultural engineering, museology and business planning as part of a feasibility study. During the first year, Universcience has greatly enriched the CSRC project in terms of know-how, good mediation practices, exhibition concept design and consultation. The consultation covered a wide variety of topics, including the project’s economic model and the themes of expositions and scientific events that will be hosted by the center in the future. The center is scheduled to open in 2026.

The consortium for the official launching of the Cyprus Science and Research Center met for the first time at the University of Cyprus, in Nicosia, from September 20-22, 2017. This led to three more meetings (in Naples, Paris, and Nicosia) and a seminar in museology led by Universcience, held on November 29, November 30, and December 1, 2017.

The closing meeting of Phase One of the project was held in Cyprus from June 14 to 16, 2018. Pursuing further collaboration, Universcience is preparing for Phase 2, which will consist of another EU Call for proposals by the Commission for Horizon 2020’s program “Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation.” The deadline for this submission is November 15, 2018.

The CSRC project is coordinated by the University of Cyprus (UCY).

To learn more about this project: http://cysrc.eu/index.php/en/