The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) announced on Wednesday that existing businesses can apply for funding of up to €100,000 per project under a new €1.5 million grant scheme aimed at accelerating the development and commercialisation of innovative cybersecurity products and services.

The programme was announced by the Office of the Commissioner of Communications’ Digital Security Authority (DSA), acting as Cyprus’ designated National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY), in cooperation with the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF).

The scheme aims to help existing enterprises rapidly develop and bring competitive cybersecurity solutions to market, with funding available for innovative software, hardware and educational material.

The educational component covers material designed for critical infrastructure operators, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and students.

The total budget stands at €1.5 million, with individual projects eligible for grants of up to €100,000.

The call for proposals was launched on October 9, with applications due by December 8, 2026.

The scheme is co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union’s Digital Europe Programme under the European project N4CY2, titled “Advancing the NCC-CY – The Next Chapter of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre of Cyprus”.

Interested businesses can find details of the funding conditions and submit proposals through the RIF’s IRIS platform.

Applicants can locate the relevant funding call by visiting the platform’s calls for proposals section.

The NCC-CY and RIF will hold an online information webinar on October 26 to explain the scheme and provide further details to prospective applicants.

The session will run from noon to 1pm, with interested businesses able to register through the official webinar registration page.

Keve encouraged eligible enterprises to review the scheme’s provisions and consider applying for funding to support the development and market introduction of cybersecurity innovations.

Cyprus promoted its business environment and opportunities in financial technology at an international blockchain summit held in Washington and New York between September 29 and October 2, with government representatives taking part in discussions on digital assets, regulation and cross-border innovation.

The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry represented the Republic of Cyprus through its New York Trade Centre at the summit, entitled The Future of Money, Governance, and the Law 2026.

The event was organised by the international non-profit Government Blockchain Association and brought together senior policymakers, business leaders, investors and technology specialists.

Discussions focused on the implications of artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum computing for international governance and financial infrastructure, alongside regulatory frameworks and digital assets.

During the summit, the New York Trade Centre operated an information stand to present Cyprus as a European business hub and outline its prospects in innovation and financial technology, commonly known as fintech.

Visitors were also briefed on the island’s business and regulatory environment and the advantages available to companies operating from Cyprus through its membership of the European Union’s single market.

Cyprus’ Trade Counsellor in New York, Aristos Constantinou, also took part in a round-table discussion at the US Capitol alongside American officials and industry figures.

Participants included Charles Hoskinson, co-founder of Ethereum and founder of Cardano, with discussions focusing on regulation, digital sovereignty and cross-border innovation.

The summit concluded on October 2 with a forum at the United Nations headquarters in New York, examining the impact of emerging technologies on financial systems.

Constantinou participated as a panellist alongside Michael Terpin, a digital assets entrepreneur and investor, and Anthony Howell, director and representative of the government of Bermuda in Washington.

The discussion, which examined international cooperation on the regulatory oversight of digital assets, was moderated by Heather Leigh Flannery, co-founder and chair of the board of Blockchain in Healthcare Global.

The ministry said Cyprus’ participation formed part of its efforts to strengthen the international reach of Cypriot service providers and promote the island as an international business centre.

The initiative also sought to highlight Cyprus’ growth prospects in the digital economy and emerging technologies, the ministry added.