RIF opens Researchers in Schools 2026-27 - and for the first time, pupils can come to your lab

If you work in research anywhere in Cyprus, the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) wants an hour or two of your time this school year.

Expressions of interest are open for the 2026-2027 "Researchers in Schools" programme, which sends researchers into primary, secondary and technical/vocational schools to talk about what they actually do - in plain language, with demos wherever possible.

What is new this year: research organisations can also host groups of pupils at their own facilities, so students see a real lab or workshop rather than a slide deck.

The dates are already fixed, built around international STEAM days:

• Science: 9-13 November 2026 (around World Science Day, 10 November)
• Engineering: 1-5 March 2027
• Mathematics: 15-19 March 2027
• Arts: 12-16 April 2027
• Technology: 17-21 May 2027

RIF matches researchers with interested schools and finalises each visit about three to four weeks in advance. Schools from almost every district are expected to take part, including semi-mountainous, mountainous and remote areas - and RIF may cover part of your travel and equipment transport costs on request.

Deadline: expressions of interest close at 3pm on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

The programme runs under the EU Horizon Europe project CELEBRATE 2.0 - Two Decades of STEAM-Powered Inspiration, and has been running since the 2022-2023 school year.

If you have ever wanted to explain your work to someone who has not already decided it is boring, a school hall is a good place to start.

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