Source of Funding: European Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST)

A COST Action is an interdisciplinary research network that brings researchers and innovators together to investigate a topic for four years. Open to all science and technology fields, including new and emerging ones, COST Actions are also bottom-up meaning you can propose a network based on your own interests or ideas.

The funding a COST Action receives covers the expenses of networking activities and can be used to fund events, Short-Term Scientific Missions, Training Schools, communication activities, and virtual networking tools. A COST Action has an estimate budget of €125,000 in its first year and €150,000 per year for the other three years.

Participants are invited to submit a proposals that contributes to the scientific, technological, economic, cultural or societal knowledge advancement and development of Europe. Multi- and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged.

The Open Call Action proposal submission, evaluation, selection and approval (SESA) procedure is fully science and technology-driven and will ensure a simple, transparent and competitive proposal evaluation and selection process, reflecting the bottom-up, open and inclusive principles of COST.

Visit the below link to read further.

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Visit the below link to view the 19 funding opportunities under Cascade Funding, an instrument by the European Commission. 

Please note that these calls have different deadlines within the month of May 2025.

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Source of Funding: Xjenza Malta

Xjenza Malta, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of the People’s Republic of China, has launched the SINO-MALTA 2025 Joint Call for R&I Proposals. The aim of this Science and Technology Cooperation – SINO-MALTA Fund, is to intensify scientific collaboration between the two countries to strengthen R&D activities, technology transfer and to carry out comprehensive, steady, and long-term cooperation through support of researchers’ mobility and the networking of industries, universities and research institutions to generate mutual-beneficial and win-win research.

For the SINO-MALTA Fund 2025 Joint Call, the eligible thematic areas are:

• Health
• Green and Blue Transitions
• Digital Technologies

Funding & Project Details for the SINO-MALTA 2025 Call

• Call Budget: €1,200,000
• Funding: Up to €200,000 for the Malta-based consortium (at least one Malta-based partner).
• Project Duration: Up to 24 months
• Application Deadline: 30th June 2025, 23:59 PM CET
• Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): 1–7

Who Can Apply?

Each consortium must include:

• At least one eligible Malta-based Private Entity. Public entities and Research and Knowledge Dissemination Organisations (RKDOs) are also eligible to apply as lead or partner, provided that at least one eligible Malta-based private entity is involved.
• At least one eligible China-based entity

Projects should be balanced in terms of workload and funding distribution between the two partners.

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

Online Information Session

Xjenza Malta will be hosting an online information session on 13th May 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM CET. This session is dedicated to interested Malta-based entities and will cover key details about the call, eligibility criteria, and the application process.

Interested participants can register here: SINO-MALTA Fund 2025 Call – Virtual Information Session

Still looking for a partner? Use the plumtri matchmaking tool to find your partners by registering your interest here: https://bit.ly/3EYhBkR, you can also use the partner search tool by registering here: https://bit.ly/4hhLcrc

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Source of Funding: Xjenza Malta

Xjenza Malta, in collaboration with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), has launched the 5th Xjenza Malta-TÜBİTAK 2025 Joint Call for R&I Proposals. This initiative aims to foster cooperation in science, technology, and innovation between Malta and Turkey by supporting researchers and innovators in strengthening their scientific expertise and networks.

This Call will focus on two distinct pillars:

Pillar 1: PRIMA Thematic Areas

1. Management of Water
2. Farming System
3. Agro-Food Value Chain

Pillar 2: Shared National Priority areas:

1. Smart Manufacturing
2. Health
3. Aviation

Cross-Cutting Theme: Digital Technologies

Digital Technologies is a cross-cutting theme, relevant across both pillars.

Funding & Project Details for the Xjenza Malta- TÜBİTAK 2025 Joint Call

• Funding: Up to €100,000 for the Malta-based consortium (at least one Malta-based partner).
• Project Duration: Up to 24 months
• Application Deadline: 20th June 2025, 23:59 PM CET
• Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): 1–7

Who Can Apply?

Each consortium must include:

• At least one eligible Malta-based entity
• At least one eligible Turkey-based entity

Projects should be balanced in terms of workload and funding distribution between the two partners.

Visit the below link for eligibility and application guidelines.

Online Information Session

Xjenza Malta will be hosting an online information session on 16 April 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM CET. This session will cover key details about the call, eligibility criteria, and the application process.

Interested participants can register here: Click to Register.

Still looking for a partner? Use the plumtri matchmaking tool to find your partners by registering your interest here: Marchmaking Tool, you can also use the partner search tool by registering here: Partner Search Tool

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Visit the below link to view the 22 funding opportunities under Cascade Funding, an instrument by the European Commission. 

Please note that these calls have different deadlines within the month of April 2025.

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Source of Funding: Xjenza Malta

Following the successful launch of the 1st call of the Cancer Research Programme, this year the 2nd call for this programme is now open!

The Cancer Research Programme aims to support research that might in the future help reduce the incidence of cancer, improve cancer treatment, survival, and the quality of life of cancer patients.

The Cancer Research Programme aims to support capacity-building efforts related to:

• Molecular Research and Diagnostic Innovations
• Community-Based Cancer Research
• Therapeutic Development and Clinical Strategies
• Psychosocial Support and Patient-Centred Approaches

It aims to support fundamental and translational research including genetic, pharmacogenomic, proteomics, pharmaceutical, cellular, and pre-clinical in vivo research into the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of cancer as well as research targeting psychosocial aspects of cancer, its treatment and survival.

Programme Parameters

If state aid is applicable, applicants are to apply under the de minimis regulation or the GBER.

The following figure summarises the different Priority Areas and Subareas of Cancer Research which will be the focal topics of this Programme:

If state aid is applicable, applicants are to apply under the de minimis regulation or the GBER.

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

Information Session

An online information event on the Cancer Research Programme will be held to provide an overview on this call, which is another Thematic Programme for 2025.

Date: 28 March 2025

Time: 11:00 CET

Click here to access the Registration Form

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Source of Funding: Xjenza Malta and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)

Xjenza Malta and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) have launched the 2025 Joint Call for Research Proposals under the SPIRE Programme. This initiative aims to strengthen research collaborations between Malta-based and CNR researchers by providing seed grants for small-scale projects that pave the way for larger future research efforts.

The SPIRE: Seed Grants for International Research Programme enhances Malta’s international research collaboration by facilitating joint calls with international partners. Through multi-annual calls, SPIRE supports projects that foster research partnerships, promote knowledge exchange, and serve as a foundation for larger-scale initiatives.

Funding & Project Details for the Xjenza Malta-CNR Joint Call

• Funding: Up to €6,000 for the Malta-based consortium (at least one Malta-based partner). The financial contribution to Malta-based entities shall be 100% of the eligible costs incurred.
• Project Duration: 24 months (1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027)
• Application Deadline: 29th May 2025, 12:00 PM CET
• Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): 1–7

Thematic Areas

Proposals must align with at least one of the following focus areas:

• Marine and Maritime
• Digital Technologies
• Health
• Sustainable Use of Resources
• Smart Manufacturing
• Aerospace, Aviation, and Space
• Cultural Heritage

Who Can Apply?

Each consortium must include:

• At least one eligible Malta-based entity
• At least one CNR researcher

Projects should be balanced in terms of workload and funding distribution between the two partners.

Download the guidelines on eligibility and application forms from the below link.

Online Information Session

Xjenza Malta will be hosting an online information session on 27 March from 10:00 to 11:00 AM CET to introduce the SPIRE Programme and the Xjenza Malta – CNR 2025 Joint Call for Research Proposals. This session will cover key details about the call, eligibility criteria, and the application process. Interested participants can register here.

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Source of Funding: Xjenza Malta

Xjenza Malta is receiving proposals under the Technology Development Programme Lite (TDP Lite).

The TDP Lite is a national funding programme aimed at providing support for the development of innovative projects proposed by public entities or industry players. The programme is designed to provide Maltese innovators with an expedited route to develop and demonstrate their novel technologies.

TDP Lite provides financial support of up to €200,000 for sole entities to carry out research, development and innovation, with the SMART Specialisation Areas:

• Aviation and Aerospace
• Future Digital Technology
• Health and Well-being
• Marine and Maritime Technology
• Smart Manufacturing
• Sustainable Use of Resources

In order to be an eligible applicant under this funding programme, the technology must be at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 and must increase to a maximum of 7 by the end of the project. The TDP Lite covers a duration of 12 or 18 months.

Interested applicants are to submit their application form electronically to rtdi.xjenzamalta@gov.mt keeping in copy Ms Mariah Vella at mariah.vella.5@gov.mt and Mr Kyle Bonnici at kyle.bonnici.4@gov.mt with ‘TDP Lite 2025 Application’ as the subject heading. The application must be dated and signed by the applicant and the legal representative. All received applications shall be acknowledged by email.

The deadline for submission is Friday 23 May 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

An online information session will be held on Friday 14 March 2025 at 10:00a.m. This information session is intended to provide further information on the call. Any interested parties are encouraged to click here to access the registration form.

Further information can be found in the guidelines documents found on the below link. Alternatively, interested parties may contact Ms Mariah Vella on 23602114.

Information and image source:

Visit the below link to view the 21 funding opportunities under Cascade Funding, an instrument by the European Commission. 

Please note that these calls have different deadlines within the month of March 2025.

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Source of Funding: Xjenza Malta

The Intellectual Property Registration (IPR) Voucher provides inventors with essential financial support and guidance to protect their creations against potential infringement. Innovators can apply for national protection through the Malta Industrial Property Registration system. At a European level, the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) offers broader protection across EU Member States, while international registration through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is also available for globally safeguarding Maltese IP rights.

Types of Intellectual Property Rights

There are five main types of intellectual property rights:

1. Trademarks – Unique graphics that distinguish products or services.
2. Copyrights – Automatically granted protection for original works upon creation.
3. Industrial Designs – Protects the aesthetic design aspects of an object, requiring novelty.
4. Trade Secrets – Protects commercially valuable, confidential information under strict conditions.
5. Patents – Exclusive rights for innovative products or processes, granting 20 years of protection from the application date.

IP Registration Process

The IPR Voucher supports a streamlined registration process, which typically takes one to three years from the initial application. During this time, the service provider will:

• Update the IP Check report, recommending specific IP rights to pursue based on an initial 4-week review period.
• Collaborate on timelines for each stage of the process.
• Support the beneficiary through every phase, from updating the IP Check report to patent publication.

Reimbursements will be issued by Xjenza Malta upon submission of payment receipts.

Financial Support for Novel Technologies

The Voucher provides financial support for novel technologies that have reached the prototype stage (TRL 5+) with a Xjenza Malta-approved research grant. This ensures inventors can protect their intellectual property rights and safeguard their inventions from potential infringement.

Information Session and Application Details

An online information session with more details on the IPR Voucher will be held on:

• Date: Tuesday, 25th February 2025
• Registration: Click here to register.

Submission Process: Application forms can be sent electronically to voucher.xjenzamalta@gov.mt, keeping Kyle Bonnici (kyle.bonnici.4@gov.mt) in copy. Use the subject line: “Intellectual Property Registration – Voucher Submission.”

Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure confirmation of receipt is provided.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:

• Mr. Kyle Bonnici
  • Email: kyle.bonnici.4@gov.mt
  • Phone: (+356) 2360 2209

Visit the below link to download application forms and guidelines.

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