Operational failures at Cyprus state scholarship foundation following reorganization

In July 2026, the Independent Social Support Body in Cyprus was abolished, and its responsibilities were transferred to the Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation (IKYK). Over three months later, the foundation remains unable to effectively manage its new duties due to significant administrative and technical gaps.

During a recent session of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, it was revealed that IKYK lacks the necessary budget and the specialized software previously used by the now-defunct body. Additionally, the institution faces severe understaffing and is currently overwhelmed by a backlog of approximately 3,500 scholarship applications, some dating back to 2019. Reports indicate that while €7 million has been distributed to beneficiaries from a total available pool of €10 million, the remaining funds have yet to be released for administrative use.

IKYK leadership, including President Aimilios Solomou, confirmed these ongoing challenges. To address the digital inefficiencies and document loss, officials stated that new software has been purchased for 2027, which is expected to transition the application process to a fully digital system. Until then, the lack of resources continues to jeopardize timely financial support for vulnerable students and their families.