The European Researchers’ Night, the largest annual celebration of science, research, and innovation, opens on Friday, September 27, at the State Fair in Nicosia.

The event will run from 8:30 am to 10 pm, offering a full day of exciting activities and presentations for all ages.

Organised by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) for the 18th consecutive year, the event is held in collaboration with Cyprus’ leading research, innovation, and business stakeholders.

The European Researchers’ Night is an initiative of the European Commission (EC) and takes place simultaneously in over 23 countries and 400 cities worldwide.

Its aim is to promote a culture of research, connect science with society, and showcase the work of universities, centres of excellence, and innovative businesses.

This year’s theme, “Mission: Possible,” highlights the “European Missions” initiative, which focuses on developing innovative solutions to pressing global challenges.

These include Climate Change Adaptation, Cancer, Healthy Oceans, Seas, and Coastal and Inland Waters, Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, and Soil and Food Health.

Attendees can explore over 60 booths featuring hundreds of researchers and participate in interactive experiments, multimedia presentations, and technology simulations.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to use specialised scientific equipment and take part in various activities, games, competitions, and entertainment.

For the first time this year, the event will host the Design Thinking Challenge, aimed at students and individuals aged 16 and over.

The competition introduces participants to the principles of design thinking, encouraging innovative approaches to problem-solving.

What is more, the Science Unfold competition returns for its third year, inviting secondary school students to creatively present a scientific topic of their choice to the public in just three minutes.

The event will also feature the Student Awards Ceremony for the eBook writing competition at 7 pm, followed by an award for the best booth.

The European Researchers’ Night is being held under the auspices of president Nikos Christodoulides.

“The event represents a unique opportunity for the public to get in touch with the inexhaustible world of research and innovation, sharpen their curiosity and broaden their horizons,” the event organisers said in a statement.

For more information and the full event programme, visit the RIF website at www.research.org.cy

Finally, the announcement clarified that the event is organised as part of the European project “Mission Possible,” under contract No. 101160964, funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme for Research and Innovation 2021-2027.