Nicosia: The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has signed an agreement with NetU Consultants Ltd to develop and implement a new integrated grants management platform, based on the Salesforce Grants Management Platform. This new Software as a Service (SaaS) platform aims to streamline all stages of project funding, from the announcement of calls to the disbursement of payments to the ecosystem, while also supporting expanded capabilities for flexible development of functionalities and business workflows.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the objective of the project is to create a modern and secure grants management system, enhancing the quality and efficiency of funding procedures. The system will offer a unified, user-friendly experience for stakeholders, including applicants, beneficiaries, evaluators, and RIF personnel. The project aims to digitally transform the grants management process, improve operational efficiency through automation and standardization, support data-driven decision-making with integrated reporting and analytics tools, and enhance service delivery to the research and innovation community.
In a statement, RIF's Director General, Mr. Theodoros Loukaidis, emphasized that the agreement marks a milestone in a transformation journey that began 3.5 years ago. He mentioned that the goal is to have the system fully operational within nine months to support the new Programming Period 2028-2034. Mr. Demetris Nisiotis, CEO of NetU Group, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, highlighting the expected enhancement in RIF's operational effectiveness through the Salesforce platform.
The partnership with NetU Consultants Ltd is seen as a significant step in advancing RIF as a modern, efficient, and fully digital organization, committed to supporting research and innovation in Cyprus. The Research and Innovation Foundation, as the executive arm of the Government of Cyprus, plays a crucial role in promoting research, technological development, and innovation, building a dynamic national ecosystem by empowering local researchers and enterprises.