"Founded in 1996, the Research Promotion Foundation (RPF) was established at the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, to promote the development of scientific and technological research in Cyprus due to the fundamental importance of research in contemporary societies. The Foundation is an independent organization governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Council of Ministers for a five-year period. The Foundation’s core objective is the promotion of scientific and technological research in Cyprus. Several specific objectives and priorities have been defined by the Foundation’s Statute and the decisions of its Board of Directors, for the promotion of this main objective. Although the Foundation is a newly established organisation, it has developed a wide range of activities. Among RPF’s main activities is the development of national competitive programs for financing of research projects and support of research activities. Moreover, RPF has developed several activities to facilitate the creation of networks between Cypriot and foreign scientists. Most of these activities relate to the involvement of Cypriot scientists in European research programmes, the cooperation with international organisations supporting research activities and the preparation and implementation of bilateral agreements between Cyprus and other countries in the field of research and technological development." Source: RPF Website, as accessed in August 2007.