The Malta Council for Science and Technology’ Internationalisation Unit, recently hosted the hybrid PRIMA Collaborate event on February 8th and 9th, 2024. The event marked a great occasion for prospective applicants to familiarise with the PRIMA Program calls for R&I proposals 2024, learn how to prepare a successful application and network with potential consortium partners, to encourage collaboration among researchers in Malta, fostering innovation in the Mediterranean region.

The first day commenced with welcome speeches from MCST Chairman Dr. Tonio Portughese, esteemed guest Prof. Mohamed El Shinawi, Co-chair of the PRIMA Foundation, and Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Keith Azzopardi Tanti. Following these speeches, the Panel Discussion themed 'Synergies to Mediterranean Priorities for Research and Innovation' commenced.

Chaired by Sonya Sammut, Director of Food Systems within the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights in Malta (seated on the left) the panel featured insightful discussions from esteemed panellists spanning various levels of Research and Innovation.These included:

Maria Maia, Science and Policy Officer of the Department for International Relations within the Foundation for Science and Technology in Portugal, and the 5+5 Dialogue Delegate for Science and Portuguese Presidency Secretariat.

Marco Orlando, Project Officer within the Thematic Area Water Management of the PRIMA Foundation.

MCST representatives Omar Cutajar, Senior Director of the Strategy, Research and Technical Affairs unit.

Martin Vieira, National Contact Point for European Innovation Council, European Innovation Ecosystems and European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

Professor Luciano Mule Stagno, Professor and Director at the Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Malta and member of the ‘Marine and Maritime Technologies’ RIS3 Committee.

Alessio Bucaioni, Co-founder and CEO of WES Trade Ltd.

The discussion highlighted the significance of initiatives like PRIMA and the Horizon Europe Mediterranean Initiative, aligning with broader frameworks such as the Union for the Mediterranean Roadmaps and the 5+5 Dialogue for Research, Innovation and Higher Education workplan.

On the second day, participants from various countries had an enriching experience exploring successful project writing tips by PRIMA Project Officer Marco Orlando.

Following, project coordinators and partners from different PRIMA Participating States shared valuable insights and firsthand experiences. Speakers included Professor Santa Olga Cacciola from the University of Catania (Italy), Professor Aziz Faissal from the Cadi Ayyad University (Morocco), Dirk De Ketelaere and Anna Spiteri, Founders of the Integrated Resources Management Company Ltd (Malta), and Professor Karim Ben Hamed from the Centre de Biotechnologie de Borj Cédria (Tunisia).

The event concluded with an interactive writing workshop, offering attendees the chance to craft concept notes for potential projects aligned with the PRIMA Calls 2024. Finally, an engaging session on project idea pitches fostered networking opportunities and fruitful partner searches.

Missed out? Don't worry! You can still catch up on the PRIMA transnational Calls via MCST and PRIMA websites or reach out to MCST at prima.mcst@gov.mt.

For more partner-finding tips, browse the partern search calls section.

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