In a rapidly evolving global landscape, research and innovation (R&I) are pivotal for sustainable growth, economic development, and addressing pressing societal challenges. Omar Cutajar, Senior Director at Xjenza Malta, sheds light on the organisation’s strategic funding initiatives, industry collaborations, and international R&I partnerships.

With an increased allocation for the FUSION national portfolio for R&I programmes, and a bold vision for sectors such as health, smart manufacturing, marine and maritime technologies, sustainable resources, aviation, and even space research, Xjenza Malta is positioning Malta as a key player in the European R&I ecosystem.

Xjenza Malta has significantly expanded its budget to support the FUSION programme, growing from €5 million to €6.3 million, thanks to the new appropriations provided by Government’s 2025 budget.

The FUSION programme is an umbrella portfolio encompassing basic research, applied research, and commercialisation efforts, thus designed to cultivate a thriving ecosystem for research and innovation.

“We aim to nurture ideas from the conceptual stage to commercialisation,” explains Mr Cutajar. “It’s not just about research; it’s about turning hypotheses into groundbreaking solutions.”

For instance, the 2024 funding round under the ‘Research Excellence Programme’ one of several funding streams under FUSION, saw the support of 39 projects with an average allocation of €80,000 per project, focusing on diverse themes such as health, sustainability, and aviation.

The introduction of FUSION TDP Lite is another game-changer. This ‘lighter’ version of the Technology Development Programme allows expedited research, particularly for emerging technologies, such as app development, where rapid turnaround is critical.

In November 2024, the full-fledged FUSION TDP programme was launched, offering funding between €300,000 and €500,000 for threeyear collaborative research projects, requiring the involvement of the private sector.

Beyond FUSION, Xjenza Malta’s partnership with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) has fostered targeted initiatives, including €1.7 million allocated for top-down projects addressing national priorities in the area of emerging digital technologies. Additionally, collaboration with the Cancer Research Innovation Hub Malta resulted in an Eur600k funding for four critical projects.

The National R&I Strategic Plan (2023-2027) places a strong emphasis on bridging the gap between academia and industry. Xjenza Malta plays a central role in implementing this framework through its Strategy and Policy unit.

“The strategy serves as a compass, ensuring our funding projects align with national public policy goals while consolidating Malta’s R&I environment,” says Mr Cutajar.

"Xjenza Malta ensures Malta’s research priorities align with broader European goals, with allocations of no less than €500,000 per partnership call on an annual basis, addressing specific topics related to the clean energy transition, the transformation of healthcare systems and the sustainable blue economy."

Over €9 million in funding has been disbursed across various programmes in 2024. To foster industry-academia collaboration, Xjenza Malta has established networks enabling researchers, industry players and public entities to forge new partnerships, both locally and internationally.

The challenge lies in navigating cultural and operational differences between academic institutions and industry. However, with targeted incentives and support structures, Xjenza Malta is confident in creating a cohesive R&I environment that effectively promotes innovation and commercialisation.

Malta’s National Space Strategy, implemented through a partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), marks a significant milestone for the country. In 2024, Malta became an official ESA PECS partner, paving the way for a five-year collaboration.

The ESA PECS agreement allocates €1.5 million annually for space-related initiatives, open to private and public entities alike.

“Our vision is to position Malta as an emerging yet competitive player in the European space industry,” Cutajar asserts.

This funding supports research in areas such as satellite technology and communications, and space-based data applications, offering internationalisation opportunities for Maltese researchers.

Additionally, Malta’s involvement within the ESA PECS programme underscores the country’s commitment to leveraging space technologies for economic and societal benefits.

Xjenza Malta actively fosters international partnerships to enhance Malta’s R&I portfolio. Collaborations with Mediterranean countries under the PRIMA programme focus on food security and water scarcity, while bilateral agreements with countries such as Italy, Turkey and China drive knowledge and mobility exchanges, and the development and implementation of joint research projects.

Cutajar highlights the importance of these initiatives, saying, “Through international collaborations, we tackle SMART thematic areas in health, environmental sustainability, and clean energy, amongst others. These projects ensure Malta remains aligned with European R&I priorities.”

Since 2019, Xjenza Malta’s Internationalisation Unit has disbursed €7.5 million across 42 projects, with beneficiaries spanning academia, private entities, and public organisations.

Xjenza Malta anticipates further growth in disbursements and outcomes, as a result of its expanding participation in Horizon Europe partnerships.

Xjenza Malta ensures Malta’s research priorities align with broader European goals, with allocations of no less than €500,000 per partnership call on an annual basis, addressing specific topics related to the clean energy transition, the transformation of healthcare systems and the sustainable blue economy.

In 2025, a new R&I partnership under the ‘One Health and Microbial Resistance’ initiative will address pressing issues such as antibiotic resistance.

Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Centro Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) in September 2024, is now enabling Maltese researchers to access onboard ship-time on the Italian flagship research vessel Gaia Blue, facilitating critical maritime studies.

To support researchers in pursuing larger, multinational projects, Xjenza Malta offers stepping-stone networking grants, such as the Research Networking Scheme (RNS). These incentives encourage Maltese researchers to participate in international consortia, enhancing Malta’s presence on the European and global R&I stage.

With a strategic vision grounded in robust funding and collaboration, Xjenza Malta is transforming Malta into a hub of innovation. By fostering industry-academia partnerships, supporting researchers, and addressing global challenges through targeted initiatives, Xjenza Malta is setting the stage for a sustainable and knowledge-driven future.

As Xjenza Malta looks forward to 2025 and beyond, its efforts will not only strengthen Malta’s R&I ecosystem but also position the country as a significant contributor to global advancements in health, sustainability, technology, and more.

"The introduction of FUSION TDP Lite is another game-changer. This ‘lighter’ version of the Technology Development Programme allows expedited research, particularly for emerging technologies, such as app development, where rapid turnaround is critical."

Article source: Commercial Courier - Budget 2025 Edition, pages 36 to 38.

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