About DeSciCoLa
The primary objective of this project is to develop detailed wireframes for a blockchain-based platform designed to facilitate early-stage research collaboration in the fields of all sciences. Additionally, the project will produce technical specifications and a roadmap for the future development of the decentralized platform. This initiative aims to lay the groundwork for a robust, transparent, and efficient research collaboration environment that leverages the principles of Decentralized Science (DeSci).
Decentralized Science (DeSci) introduces a revolutionary approach to scientific research by utilizing Web3 technologies such as blockchain, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and smart contracts. DeSci aims to democratize science by making it more accessible, transparent, and efficient. It addresses the limitations of traditional scientific systems by promoting open access to research data, enhancing reproducibility, and facilitating global collaboration among researchers.
DeSci platforms can revolutionize academic publishing, research funding, data sharing, and peer review processes by utilizing decentralized technologies. These platforms enable secure, transparent, and immutable records of scientific data, fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge can be openly shared and validated. The project’s focus on creating a collaborative platform aligns with the principles of DeSci, aiming to enhance scientific practices by leveraging decentralized technologies.
By the end of this project, we aim to have a prototype based on the developed wireframes. This prototype will demonstrate the platform’s functionality and serve as a tool to attract additional funding for the technical development and full implementation of the platform. The ultimate goal is to create a decentralized research collaboration platform that can be scaled and adopted widely within the science community, thereby driving scientific excellence and innovation.
The project is materialized by the University of Nicosia Research Foundation and Innov-Acts Ltd, and is funded by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) of the Republic of Cyprus.
Consortium
UNRF
University of Nicosia Research Foundation (UNRF) focuses its research on global and local issues including health, complex networks, social sciences, education, ICT, engineering, and environmental sustainability. UNRF’s researchers have substantial experience in the management and implementation of research projects, funded by the European Union and the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation and are or have been involved in a variety of Horizon Europe, Marie Curie and Erasmus+ projects such as AGORA, NEOLAIA, INFINITECH, PARITY, DLT4ALL, EUNOMIA and BLOCKPOOL. All project team members, including the Project Coordinator, have extensive experience in research and blockchain through their work at the Institute for the Future at the University of Nicosia (UNIC). UNIC is the largest university in Cyprus, and the largest university in Southern Europe that teaches primarily in English, with over 11,500 students from 70 countries across the globe coming together in an innovative and transformative learning space. UNIC has an eight-year track record as the leading university in the field of blockchain and research. UNIC launched the world’s first-degree program in cryptocurrency in 2014. Today, UNIC has educated over 100,000 students in academic and professional training courses, hosts the world’s largest team of faculty and staff focused on crypto-assets and blockchains, and serves as the academic lead for the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum (a European Commission initiative to accelerate the development of blockchain within the EU). Its latest MOOC on NFT’s and the Metaverse – the first one in the world- had over 20,000 registrants and is taught by world-renowned lecturers. The MOOC has received an award by INATBA for the “Most Exciting Project in Education” in 2023. UNIC has also been recognised by CoinDesk as one of the best universities in the world for blockchain. In addition, UNIC has established a strong relationship with the blockchain ecosystem and is participating in projects with Stellar Development Foundation, Ripple University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI), XRP Ledger and most recently the Sui Foundation.
INNOV-ACTS LTD
INNOV-ACTS is a Nicosia-based ICT and business consulting firm, which offers software development, project management and business consulting services consulting different sectors, with emphasis on digital finance, industry, smart cities, and security/reliance of large organizations. Its services are centred around some of the cutting-edge digital enablers for digital finance and Industry 4.0 including AI/LLMs, IoT (Internet of Things), blockchain and cybersecurity technologies. INNOV-ACTS security and resilience services leverage the security expertise of the company and target organizations in main sectors where the company focuses i.e. digital finance and industry. The company was founded in 2016 and has experienced high growth, in terms of commercial solutions (4+ solutions), EU projects (i.e., participation in 20+ HEU/H2020 projects), publications (20+ publications, including 3 Open Access books), academic collaboration, and more.
Within DeSciCoLab, INNOV-ACTS provides technical expertise in blockchain and decentralized systems, and support stakeholder engagement under WP3. Additionally, INNOV-ACTS contributes to the development of wireframes and user interface designs, provides technical feedback, and supports usability testing under WP4 (Wireframe Development). Lastly, INNOV-ACTS contributes to the development of technical specifications and the implementation roadmap, providing insights from a business and technical perspective under WP5 (Technical Specifications and Roadmap).
DeSciCoLab was presented and discussed during the FAME face-to-face training that took place in Cyprus in December 2025, by Marianna Charalambous, Research Project Manager at INNOV-ACTS Ltd.