Source of Funding: European Commission

In line with the New European Innovation Agenda’s flagship on accelerating and strengthening innovation in European Innovation Ecosystems across the EU and addressing the innovation divide, this action is intended to create connected Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) across the European Union (EU), involving regions with lower innovation performances, by building on strategic areas of regional strength and specialisation (defined in their smart specialisation strategies), in support of key EU priorities.

The European Commission dedicated EUR 122 million under Horizon Europe (European Innovation Ecosystems) and under the European Regional Development Fund (Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument).

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Source of Funding: European Commission

The New Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument calls has been published; the I3 instrument, as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aims at promoting innovation and interregional collaboration providing financial and advisory support for projects and the development of value chains.

Deadline for applications is: 17th October 2023.

More information on the open calls can be found via the below link:

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Source of Funding: Malta Council for Science and Technology

The Commercialisation Voucher Programme is a formidable instrument aimed at bridging the existing gap in the R&I framework as well as improving the overall development and commercialization potential of innovative ideas. This Programme acts as a demand side measure, enticing user driven innovation, with an aim to increase research, technological development, and innovation activities, which could eventually be implemented in industry. The Vouchers are primarily intended to assist prospective applicants of the FUSION Technology Development Programme to prepare themselves better in terms of project proposal and validation. In some cases, it may also assist beneficiaries of previous or current R&I Programmes as well as projects funded through the European Programmes. Submission, evaluation, and selection of application will be in the form of a one-stage process in which a legal representative of the applicant will be asked to submit all the necessary information, to enable a decision on acceptance or rejection. The Commercialisation Vouchers are subject to a Scientific Evaluation and priority will be given to the Smart Specialisation Areas. State Aid rules apply.

Interested parties should submit their application form electronically to voucher.mcst@gov.mt with “CVP 2023 Call Application” as a subject. The Application must be dated and signed by the applying entity’s legal representative. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the timely submission of the application within the timeframes provided for in the call. Emails larger than 6MB shall be automatically rejected by the system. File sharing software is limited to WeTransfer or Dropbox.  All received applications shall be acknowledged by email and provided with a reference number.   Additional notes to applicants:

• Altering the parameters of the application template might lead to disqualification. Inputted text should not exceed the printable area of the text boxes.
• Annex I is to be used to include a clear diagrammatic representation of how the project will go beyond the state-of-the-art. Annex I should be stamped or signed by the applicant and scanned together with the application form.
• Annex 2 is to be used to include a reference list with full citations for each item. Annex 2 should be stamped or signed by the applicant and scanned together with the application form.
• Additional information pertaining to guidelines, rules, procedures, and the application form can be found in the documents attached with this call.

Visit the below link to download guidelines and application forms.

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Source of Funding: EIT Food

EIT Food is looking for startups, scale-ups and small or medium size organizations participate in EIT Food “RIS Straight to Market (RIS S2M)” programme.

The RIS Straight to Market is coordinated by EIT Food South and seeks connect retailers with small and medium-sized companies, startups and scale-ups, to bring to mainstream markets and supermarkets food products that are new or highly improved at a nutritional/sustainable level (see definition below).

The goal of the programme is to address EU policy priorities through R&I, and increasing the number of consumers using products developed with the support of EIT Food to personalize or change diet in line with relevant Food-Based Dietary Guidelines for Europe, by bringing to mainstream markets and supermarkets food products that are new or highly improved at a nutritional/sustainable level, in alignment with EIT Food’s Impact Framework regarding new food products

Each selected start-up will work with one retailer to market their new or highly improved food product. A consortium established by one retailer and one start-up will be named “Project” in the below text. Each Project is expected to test and launch in the market at least 1 new food product.

Each startup will receive a maximum net funding of 30.000 EUR to cover the eligible costs of the project.

The strong market-oriented aim of this call will be combined with the engagement with consumers, through co-creation workshops in which their needs and expectations are heard, and feedback on product is given to validate the added value in terms of nutritional improvement for consumers.

Click on the below link to download guidelines and additional documentation.

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Source of Funding: Malta Council for Science and Technology

The Technology Extension Support Programme will form part of FUSION, the National Funding Programme, administered by the R&I Unit at MCST. The Technology Extension Support Programme will incentivise industry to seek technical support from Higher Education Institutes (HEI), to ensure incremental product or process improvement. This programme aims to accelerate the application of technological innovation to the industry, in a low-risk environment. This support measure is designed to incorporate R&I at all stages of product or process development and support collaborations between private and public entities. Maltese private entities can benefit from up to €40,000 per project of 15-months. Get in touch by contacting us on rtdi.mcst@gov.mt keeping abigail.aquilina@gov.mt in copy further information or assistance.

Visit the below link to acess the call specifications.

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Source of Funding: Horizon Europe

The Hop On Facility allows for legal entities from low R&I performing countries to join already selected collaborative R&I actions, subject to the agreement of the respective consortium and provided that legal entities from such countries are not yet participating in it. The scheme aims to improve the inclusiveness of Horizon Europe by involving more research institutions from Widening countries under Horizon Europe Pillar 2 and EIC Pathfinder actions.

Main selection criteria are excellence and added value of the new partner performing a relevant additional task in the project. All consortium partners need to agree on the accession of the new partner whereas the R&I relevance and complementarity needs to be demonstrated. The accepted application will trigger a GA amendment with the service in charge of the related topic.

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Source of Funding: Malta Council for Science and Technology

The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) is receiving proposals under the Internationalisation Partnership Awards Scheme Plus (IPAS+). The Scheme is divided into two options. Applicants are to fill in the appropriate sections of the form; they may select either Option A or Option B, or both:

Option A: opportunities for collaborative initiatives between Maltese entities and at least one foreign entity of proven track record of excellence. Proposals should describe the nature of the joint activities that would be funded through the Award. Applicants are to demonstrate how the proposed activities contribute towards and align with achieving the goals of the National R&I Strategy, and to describe the potential of any activities to become self-sustaining or generate longer-term outcomes.

Option B: opportunities for Maltese entities intending to submit a Horizon Europe proposal as the coordinator of the consortium to engage a service provider (local or foreign) who will be supporting the applicant through proposal writing and submission.

The amount of the Award available to any one successful applicant is capped at €6000 per Option. Some exceptions regarding the financial capping for Option B can be found in the rules for participation. All projects are evaluated by a selection panel set up by MCST on the basis of evaluation criteria outlined in the Call text.

Visit the below link to read further and download the required application forms.

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

X2.0 will set up custom and needs based 5 month deeptech programme. The program will tailor its services to the needs of each startup, ensuring growth, scaling up, long term impact and cross border connections. Each selected startup will be screened by Venture Capital and Innovation experts and based on their insights, validated industry experts and their services will be proposed.

What are we looking for?

10 Deeptech startups whose innovations are based on high-tech innovation or o significant scientific advances in manufacturing and circular economy domains.

Why to participate / Benefits

Innovation Vouchers to cover

• Needs-based growth and scaling services in the max. amount of €20,000
• 1-on-1 mentorship with experts from the field of need in the min. amount of €5,000
• Access large-scale startup and investor-oriented events, exhibitions, and fairs in the amount of €5,000

Other Program Benefits

• Corporate Matchmaking and procurement
• Private Fundraising assistance
• Custom EU funding and public procurement ecosystem and overview
• Talent Matchmaking & Job promotion
• Promotion & Visibility

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Source of Funding: Malta Council for Science and Technology

The Malta Council for Science and Technology would like to announce that it is currently receiving project proposals under the FUSION R&I: Research Excellence Programme.

This call provides financial support (up to €80,000) for the early-stage development of innovative projects, through a bottom-up approach. All scientific research areas are being considered, and for projects which may be commercially applicable, this programme targets research at the initial Technology Readiness Levels (between TRL 1 and TRL 4).

Project proposals should be sent electronically and received by not later than 23:59 CET on Monday 27th of February, 2023.

More information on this funding opportunity, the eligibility criteria, the rules for participation and the application form, can be found on the below link.  

Email on rep.mcst@gov.mt (keeping abigail.aquilina@gov.mt in copy) for further information and to schedule one-to-one meetings.

An online information session will be held on Wednesday 25th January at 1:00 pm CET. Kindly register for this informative event via this link: https://forms.gle/YkNypr7vUGgUyhDx5

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