Periodic Reporting for period 4 - EXCELSIOR (ERATOSTHENES: Excellence Research Centre for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment)
Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2025-03-31
The overall objective of the EXCELSIOR project is to upgrade the existing ERATOSTHENES Research Centre of the Cyprus University of Technology into a new Centre of Excellence for Earth Observation, which will create a stimulating atmosphere for both fundamental and applied research, encouraging innovation in the scientific thematic areas of Environment and Climate, Resilient Society and Big Earth Data Analytics. Remote Sensing and Satellite Earth Observation comprise the pivotal mechanisms of the Centre, used collectively with additional scientific techniques and geospatial tools.
The principal objective of the CoE is to support sustainable development in accordance with established international policy frameworks such as the EU Societal Challenges, UN SDGs, Sendai Framework and the Paris Agreement. The CoE aims to deliver critical information through end user products to policy makers, local, national, and regional authorities, citizens, and tourists. In addition, the emerging Centre of Excellence will provide exceptional innovative products and services that will advance the interest of the National, regional, and international public and private sectors in the fields of Space and Earth Monitoring. This will be accomplished as a result from the Centre’s commitment to research and innovation excellence across the respective scientific and technological disciplines. Collaboration with other Earth Observation industries will play a pivotal role, enabling the CoE to nurture scientific expertise, engineering proficiency, and technical facilities.
The EXCELSIOR project specific goals are:
1. To enhance the scientific and innovation potential of the upgraded Centre.
2. To encourage the uptake of innovative scientific outputs.
3. To accomplish sustainability and autonomy of the Centre of Excellence through various resources.
4. To position Cyprus as a key European hub for advanced Earth Observation research and innovation, addressing environmental and societal challenges on both local and global scales.
5. To create a strategic, multi-stakeholder, mutually beneficial and enduring partnership network.
6. To tackle societal challenges and minimise public risks through scientific outcomes, aiming to assist in the shaping of informed decisions.
The principal objective of the CoE is to support sustainable development in accordance with established international policy frameworks such as the EU Societal Challenges, UN SDGs, Sendai Framework and the Paris Agreement. The CoE aims to deliver critical information through end user products to policy makers, local, national, and regional authorities, citizens, and tourists. In addition, the emerging Centre of Excellence will provide exceptional innovative products and services that will advance the interest of the National, regional, and international public and private sectors in the fields of Space and Earth Monitoring. This will be accomplished as a result from the Centre’s commitment to research and innovation excellence across the respective scientific and technological disciplines. Collaboration with other Earth Observation industries will play a pivotal role, enabling the CoE to nurture scientific expertise, engineering proficiency, and technical facilities.
The EXCELSIOR project specific goals are:
1. To enhance the scientific and innovation potential of the upgraded Centre.
2. To encourage the uptake of innovative scientific outputs.
3. To accomplish sustainability and autonomy of the Centre of Excellence through various resources.
4. To position Cyprus as a key European hub for advanced Earth Observation research and innovation, addressing environmental and societal challenges on both local and global scales.
5. To create a strategic, multi-stakeholder, mutually beneficial and enduring partnership network.
6. To tackle societal challenges and minimise public risks through scientific outcomes, aiming to assist in the shaping of informed decisions.
The work carried out up to now by the EXCELSIOR project extends to a wide range of activities, as outlined below.
•We reached over 90 employees for RP4
•Awarded the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission in February 2025
•Approved as a vocational center by the Human Resources Development Authority of Cyprus
•Fully operationalized the Ground-Based atmospheric remote sensing Station (GBS) and continued ACTRIS activities. In addition, we contributed to the EMME CARE CAL/VAL campaign.
•Performed all the required activities regarding the factory acceptance test of the DAS, in France station (during RP4).
•Developed and deployed a comprehensive Earth Observation Data Cube infrastructure providing access to multiple satellite datasets.
•Produced 116 scientific publications with 45 collaborative works with consortium partners
•Developed 2 applications: PRECiRRi (previously named as AGRINEXUS), and NADI – RISK that are fully operational. ECoE signed an agreement with Fassouri Plantations LTD for the PRECiRRi application. NADI – RISK : ECoE signed an NDA with a big company in Cyprus.
•Earthquake Risk Assessment (ERiAs): CUT-ECoE agreement has been signed.
•The duration of the secondments has been significantly improved
•Established a fully operational Innovation Office providing technology transfer and IP commercialization support
•Secured approval for a Space Business Incubation Centre (SPACE BIC) from Ministerial Councils in February 2025, with a formal agreement signed in 17th of March 2025. Significant progress by
•Signed 35 MoUs with government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners
•Established an agreement with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs to create a Regional Support Office for UN-SPIDER in Cyprus
•Submitted 109 proposals to various funding calls, with 17 successfully funded projects
•Significant activities that explored the visibility of ECoE in the EMMENA region were achieved through organization of several workshops with region’s stakeholders, through the new funded GEO CRADLE project, as well as through direct collaboration with Tunisia in agricultural sector (installation of sensors ) and through MoUs.
•Secured 8 service contracts with municipalities and government agencies since 2024.
•Advanced progress toward Cyprus becoming an associate member of ESA by 2026
•Organized RSCy2024 and RSCy2025 conferences
•Hosted the 5th and 6th EXCELSIOR Annual Workshops focusing on "Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Earth Observation" and "Earth Observation Business Opportunities"
•Developed a comprehensive business plan including detailed cash flow projections through 2034
•Created Business Model Canvases for different revenue streams
•Analyzed growth opportunities in the EMMENA region
•We reached over 90 employees for RP4
•Awarded the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission in February 2025
•Approved as a vocational center by the Human Resources Development Authority of Cyprus
•Fully operationalized the Ground-Based atmospheric remote sensing Station (GBS) and continued ACTRIS activities. In addition, we contributed to the EMME CARE CAL/VAL campaign.
•Performed all the required activities regarding the factory acceptance test of the DAS, in France station (during RP4).
•Developed and deployed a comprehensive Earth Observation Data Cube infrastructure providing access to multiple satellite datasets.
•Produced 116 scientific publications with 45 collaborative works with consortium partners
•Developed 2 applications: PRECiRRi (previously named as AGRINEXUS), and NADI – RISK that are fully operational. ECoE signed an agreement with Fassouri Plantations LTD for the PRECiRRi application. NADI – RISK : ECoE signed an NDA with a big company in Cyprus.
•Earthquake Risk Assessment (ERiAs): CUT-ECoE agreement has been signed.
•The duration of the secondments has been significantly improved
•Established a fully operational Innovation Office providing technology transfer and IP commercialization support
•Secured approval for a Space Business Incubation Centre (SPACE BIC) from Ministerial Councils in February 2025, with a formal agreement signed in 17th of March 2025. Significant progress by
•Signed 35 MoUs with government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners
•Established an agreement with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs to create a Regional Support Office for UN-SPIDER in Cyprus
•Submitted 109 proposals to various funding calls, with 17 successfully funded projects
•Significant activities that explored the visibility of ECoE in the EMMENA region were achieved through organization of several workshops with region’s stakeholders, through the new funded GEO CRADLE project, as well as through direct collaboration with Tunisia in agricultural sector (installation of sensors ) and through MoUs.
•Secured 8 service contracts with municipalities and government agencies since 2024.
•Advanced progress toward Cyprus becoming an associate member of ESA by 2026
•Organized RSCy2024 and RSCy2025 conferences
•Hosted the 5th and 6th EXCELSIOR Annual Workshops focusing on "Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Earth Observation" and "Earth Observation Business Opportunities"
•Developed a comprehensive business plan including detailed cash flow projections through 2034
•Created Business Model Canvases for different revenue streams
•Analyzed growth opportunities in the EMMENA region
During Reporting Period 4 (RP4) the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (CoE) converted the groundwork laid in earlier years into rapid, measurable gains, keeping nearly every KPI on and/or ahead of its Year-7 trajectory while widening its societal reach. Procurement delays were eliminated: the satellite ground-receiving station moved into implementation, atmospheric-solar instruments climbed from three to nine, and remote-sensing capacity grew eight-fold. Service creation accelerated, with eight new offerings—including the fully operational PRECiRRi and NADI-RISK—lifting the catalogue to 15, already beyond the final goal of 12. The research team expanded to 47 scientists—59 % of the target—and international staff reached 16 %. Training intensified to 18 activities and 11.4 person-months. Partnership building also gathered pace: national Memoranda of Understanding rose to 26, while the cumulative 25 international MoUs already surpass the Year-7 mark. 109 proposals produced 17 funded, raising cumulative funding to €12.67 million; joint bids with EXCELSIOR partners almost tripled.
Scientific output was increased. RP4 delivered 28 journal articles, 88 conference papers and 54 presentations, moving each metric past the halfway line. Citations climbed to 1,983 in Scopus and 1,875 in Google Scholar, lifting the combined h-index to 39, while joint publications with EXCELSIOR colleagues continued to rise. Additionally, two patents or prototypes already cover two-thirds of the quota, and the newly launched Cyprus SPACE Business Incubation Centre, backed by Cyprus Seeds, should ignite spin-outs in RP5. Outreach remains exceptional: although RP4 staged fewer events, the cumulative 344 stands at 138 % of the final goal. Public-authority partners involved in funded projects reached 57, industry stakeholders 158, and public-engagement activities tripled to 36, taking that metric to more than 500 % of its target.
Midway to Year 7 the CoE has met or exceeded 18 of 30 KPIs and passed the halfway mark in nine more. RP4 therefore marks the shift from steady expansion to accelerated delivery across research, innovation and engagement, confirming a clear route to full realisation of the Centre’s scientific and societal commitments.
Scientific output was increased. RP4 delivered 28 journal articles, 88 conference papers and 54 presentations, moving each metric past the halfway line. Citations climbed to 1,983 in Scopus and 1,875 in Google Scholar, lifting the combined h-index to 39, while joint publications with EXCELSIOR colleagues continued to rise. Additionally, two patents or prototypes already cover two-thirds of the quota, and the newly launched Cyprus SPACE Business Incubation Centre, backed by Cyprus Seeds, should ignite spin-outs in RP5. Outreach remains exceptional: although RP4 staged fewer events, the cumulative 344 stands at 138 % of the final goal. Public-authority partners involved in funded projects reached 57, industry stakeholders 158, and public-engagement activities tripled to 36, taking that metric to more than 500 % of its target.
Midway to Year 7 the CoE has met or exceeded 18 of 30 KPIs and passed the halfway mark in nine more. RP4 therefore marks the shift from steady expansion to accelerated delivery across research, innovation and engagement, confirming a clear route to full realisation of the Centre’s scientific and societal commitments.