Source of Funding: Malta Council for Science and Technology

The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) launched the 4th MCST-TÜBİTAK 2024 Joint Call for R&I Proposals to support cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation in the following thematic areas:

• PRIMA Programme Thematic fields (Water management, Sustainable Farming systems, Agro-food value chain)
• Digital Technologies
• Smart Manufacturing
• Health

Malta-based entities and Türkiye-based entities are invited to jointly apply for funding to undertake a R&I project in these thematic areas.

This Call involves a one-stage submission process, and the complete submission documentation needs to be received by the 14th June 2024 (23:59 CET).

Visit the below link to download the guidelines and application forms.

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION

MCST has organised an online information session on the 17th April 2024 for Malta-based stakeholders, where an overview of the Joint Call, National Rules, Submission Documents, and Partner Search has been provided.

You can now view the recording of this session here:

For any queries, feel free to contact MCST at prima.mcst@gov.mt or call +356 23602175-23602152.

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Source of Funding: AgriTech4Egypt

The AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge is a program designed specifically for early-stage agri-tech ventures in Egypt. At this stage, you must have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or Proof of Concept (POC). This program will support and prepare you to build a solid go-to-market strategy through technical validation and access to the market.

This program is powered by CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) and co-organized with CGIAR Centers–The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, ICARDA, IWMI, and IFPRI–and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) of Egypt. This project is endorsed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt (MOHESR) and supported by PRIMA, Climate Resilient Africa Fund (CRAF), Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), and CGIAR Initiatives and units operating in the MENA region.

Click on the below link to read further.

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Restore4Life are looking for at least 5 Associated Regions to receive up to €100,000 to prepare roadmaps, plans, and projects to restore wetland ecosystems in their region. The Call for Associated Regions is specifically designed to engage and collaborate with Local and Regional Authorities.  

The aim is to share the results and knowledge of the project on an ongoing basis with the selected ‘associated regions’ and to provide them with scientific and technical support for the implementation of wetland restoration solutions in their territory. This will involve the twinning of each Associated Region with a similar demonstration site and the provision of technical advisory services necessary to prepare roadmaps, plans and projects to restore ecosystems in the associated regions addressing possible barriers and showing the feasibility of implementing innovative solutions.

On March 22, from 10 AM CET, Restore4Life will hold an Interactive Workshop on the Application for the Open Call. The workshop aims to provide valuable insights, clarify any questions you may have, and offer guidance on creating a successful Open Call application. We believe this session will be instrumental in ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the application requirements and, in turn, contribute to the success of your submission. If you’d like to attend the Workshop, you should register here.

The Open Call closes on 29 May 2024 at 5 PM CET (Brussels time).

Press release Open Call Launch.pdf

Press release Open Call Launch.pdf

Visit the below link to read further.

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Source of Funding: Malta Council for Science and Technology

PRIMA – Partnership for R&I in the Mediterranean – facilitates collaborative R&I in the areas of Water Management, Farming Systems and Agro-Food Chain. The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach is mainstreamed into all its topics under the three thematic areas above.

PRIMA Participating States fund transnational R&I projects addressing the scope and objectives of the PRIMA Section 2 multi-topic call tackling the following topics:

Thematic Area 1: Water Management in the Nexus

• Topic 2.1.1 (RIA) Effective water accounting approaches under crisis conditions: climate change and external shocks

Thematic Area 2: Farming Systems in the Nexus

• Topic 2.2.1 (RIA) Revitalizing agroforestry practices for sustainable land use and climate resilience in the Mediterranean region

Thematic Area 3: Agro-food Value Chain in the Nexus

• Topic 2.3.1 (RIA) Leveraging urban and local food systems for sustainable food systems transformation.

Entities residing in Malta are eligible for funding under the Section 2 calls, with the option of requesting up to € 500,000 to participate in a PRIMA proposal consortium (N.B. if more than one National partner is present in one consortium, the total amount of funding for the participating National partners cannot exceed the € 500,000 capping).

Click on the below link to download guidelines and application forms.  The recording of the workshop: PRIMA Collaborate - An Event Uniting MED Researchers in Malta for Innovation (8-9 February 2024) can be viewed here below:

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Source of Funding: Horizon Europe

n the 2ndWork Programme of Horizon Europe 2023-2024

• Building on the positiveoutcome of the Africa Initiative I ofHorizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022.
• A total budget of ~300 MEUR through ~30 topics under calls for proposals to boostEU-Africa cooperation
  on Research & Innovation (R&I).
• Enabling the implementation of the short-term and medium-term actions of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, aiming to translate R&I into tangible positive impact on the ground, particularly in the areas of:

1. Green Transition (260 MEUR)
2. Innovation & Technology (35 MEUR)
3. Capacities for Science (9 MEUR)

Call deadlines varies from call to call, please click here to read further.

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Source of Funding: Restore4Life

Restore4Life project are looking for at least 5 Associated Regions1 that we can provide with technical assistance to use the outcomes and knowledge of Restore4Life to prepare roadmaps, plans, and projects to restore wetland ecosystems in their region.

The aim is to share the results and knowledge of the project on an ongoing basis with the selected ‘associated regions’ and to provide them with scientific and technical support for the implementation of wetland restoration solutions in their territory. This will involve the twinning of each Associated Region with a similar demonstration site and the provision of technical advisory services necessary to prepare roadmaps, plans and projects to restore ecosystems in the associated regions addressing possible barriers and showing the feasibility of implementing innovative solutions.

To achieve this, we will implement special formats, interactive workshops and a platform for twinning activities to continuously share Restore4Life outcomes and knowledge. All developed tools and restoration measures will be fully open, usable, and made applicable to the Associated Regions.

By joining us as an Associated Region, you will have the opportunity to access our expertise, knowledge, and tools to develop your own roadmap, plan, or project to restore wetland ecosystems in your region.

Eligibility Coutnries:

Funding Activities:

The grant each associated region can apply for is up to € 100,000.

List of type of activities that can receive financial: support:

• Removal of channel and bank regulations for restoration of pristine conditions, biodiversity, and flood protection
• Restoration of natural riverbed and meanders in canalised section of the river
• Removal of invasive tree species from bogs
• Restoration of riparian areas and biodiversity
• Restoring/improving water circulation and connectivity of secondary channels and lakes at low water levels
• Monitoring of existing / previous actions
• Nature based solutions in rivers and floodplains
• River dynamics improvement
• Citizen involvement

This call will open on 1 February 2024 and application deadline is scheduled for 29 May 2024. Visit the below link for further information.

An Information session will be held on 15 December 2023.

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Source of Funding: X2.0 Driving Deeptech Growth Project - EU Funded

SMEs, startups, and scaleups in the AgriTech sector encouraged to apply and receive €30K

The second Open Call as part of €1.5M total to startups launched last week. With a focus on AgriTech, the X2.0 Project is looking for startups offering innovative and deeptech solutions to advance the agriculture sector. Only 10 selected startups will have the chance to participate in this competitive and customized 5-month program designed to launch, develop, and scale new products, services, processes, and integrated solutions. Each beneficiary will receive€30K in Innovation Vouchers to reach the next level in their advancement with mentoring from more than 100 selected experts – known as Impact Builders (IBs)– providing tailored support and scaling services. The first Open Call in Manufacturing & Circular Economy received a great response, with 76 innovative startups applying.

Do you have a solution to disrupt the Agri-Industry?

The AgriTech Open Call is aimed at startups, scaleups, and SMEs with technologies to improve production and address challenges, especially in the context of climate change. We seek innovative solutions, such as precision farming techniques (e.g., sensors and drones) and advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms, that help farmers make more informed decisions.

Download the official press release or visit the below link for further information.

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Source of Funding: Malta Council for Science and Technology

The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) are relaunching the MCST-TÜBİTAK 2023 Joint Call for R&I Proposals to support cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation in the following thematic areas:

• PRIMA Programme Thematic fields (Water management, Sustainable Farming systems, Agro-food value chain)
• Digital Technologies
• Smart Manufacturing
• Health

Visit the below link for further information, to download the call application forms and guidelines.

ONLINE INFORMATION EVENT

An online information event is going to be jointly organised on the 17th of March 2023 at 10.00 (CET). Interested Malta-based and Turkey-based entities are encouraged to register for this event here to learn more about the Call and about partner searching. The agenda and Zoom link will be directly sent to registrants.

For more information on the Online Event and/or for assistance with the Call Documentation, please contact the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) on prima.mcst@gov.mt / 0035623602152.

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Source of Funding: Malta Council for Science and Technology

PRIMA – Partnership for R&I in the Mediterranean – facilitates collaborative R&I in the areas of Water Management, Farming Systems and Agro-Food Chain.

PRIMA Participating States fund transnational R&I projects addressing the scope and objectives of the PRIMA Section 2 multi-topic call tackling the following topics:

Thematic Area 1: Water Management

• Topic 2.1.1 (RIA) New governance models to define best practices for sustainable water management and conflict mitigation.

Thematic Area 2: Farming Systems

• Topic 2.2.1 (RIA) A step toward carbon-neutral farms: coupling renewable energy sources with circular farming systems.

Thematic Area 3: Agro-food Value Chain

• Topic 2.3.1 (RIA) Assessing novel antimicrobial food packaging and coating materials to reduce food waste to improve safety in the Mediterranean food supply chain.

Entities residing in Malta are eligible for funding under the Section 2 calls, with the option of requesting up to € 500,000 to participate in a PRIMA proposal consortium (N.B. if more than one National partner is present in one consortium, the total amount of funding for the participating National partners cannot exceed the € 500,000 capping).

Download the guidelines and application forms from the below link.

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