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.

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Source of Funding: Xjenza Malta

Funding Opportunity for Malta-based Researchers to Innovate in Advanced Materials & Battery Technologies – Apply Now!

M-ERA.NET is a European-funded initiative that supports research and innovation in materials science and battery technologies, aligning with the European Green Deal. The M-ERA.NET Joint Call 2025 is now open click to view call— with particular emphasis on clean energy technologies, future batteries, circular economy, and the integration of digital technologies.

Funding Opportunities:

Malta-based entities are eligible to apply for up to € 300,000 in funding, allowing them to join a consortium and submit a proposal for this Call (N.B. if multiple national partners are included in a single consortium, the total funding for all Maltese participants combined cannot exceed the €300,000 cap).

Apply under focused thematic areas:

1. Sustainable Materials for Energy Applications
2. Innovative Surfaces, Coatings, and Interfaces
3. Advanced Composites and Lightweight Materials
4. Functional Materials
5. Materials Addressing Environmental Challenges
6. Next Generation Materials for Electronics

Eligibility & Application Process

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Carefully review the Call text 2025 and Guidance for applicants: Click to view the call text 2025 and Guidance
• Be a Malta-based entity, including private and public organisations, Research & Knowledge Dissemination Organisations (RKDOs), and other, with an operating base in Malta in accordance with the click to download the State Aid or click to download the Non-State Aid National Rules for Participation;
• Complete and submit a National Application Form duly signed and supported by the required Annexes. These can be downloaded from the Xjenza Malta click to visit the Resource Page (Application Resources).

Application Deadlines

• Project coordinator needs to submit the pre-proposal via the M-ERA.NET Electronic Submission System by the 13 May 2025, 12:00 CET
• Each Malta-based applicant must submit a National Application Form to xjenzamalta@gov.mt by the 13 May 2025, 23:59 CET.

Call webinars

• Announcement: M-ERA.NET Call 2025 information webinar on 25 March 2025, 12:00 – 13:30 (Brussels time) – Registration link soon available

 M.ERA-NET website: https://www.m-era.net/

For more information, please contact us at eusubmissions.xjenzamalta@gov.mt / +356 23602152

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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: European Commission

Source of Funding: European Commission

Expected Impact:

Project results are expected to contribute to the following impact:

• Contribute to the ambitious targets of the European Green Deal and the set of European Commission policy guidelines applicable to the steel industry for full decarbonisation of the steel sector.

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following outcomes:

• Contribute and clearly quantify the CO2 reduction achieved in the steel sector or in the target group.
• Make it technically and economically feasible for novel technologies and processes to produce the same products as current industrial processes, as demonstrated and validated at suitable scale.
• Demonstrate overall positive environmental and, if relevant, health and safety effects of the technology and/or the approach pursued.
• Outline a plan for technology scalability and greater expansion, ultimately linked to a viable business case.
• Provide high visibility dissemination of lessons learnt and continue to contribute to the development of skills and creation/conversion of jobs.

Objective:

The RFCS Research Programme (Council Decision (EU) 2021/1094) has the following research objectives for the steel sector:

• new, sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking and finishing processes (Article 8).
• advanced steel grades and applications (Article 9).
• conservation of resources, protection of the environment and circular economy (Article 10).
• management of work force and working conditions (Article 10a).

The call objectives are:

1. Cross cutting issues: digitalisation, skills and social innovation in the steel sector.
2. CO2 neutral iron ore reduction (Increasing the use of pre-reduced iron carriers).
3. Technologies to improve energy efficiency, increase heat recovery and enhance process integration (PI) approaches in steel production.
4. Advanced steel alloys for special applications.
5. Circular economy and sector coupling solutions to meet the zero-waste goal for steelmaking.
6. Carbon capture of steel CO/CO2 gases.

Scope:

• Applicants may submit proposals for either Pilot or Demonstration projects (see Articles 15 and 16 of Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC).
• Proposals are expected to achieve technology readiness level 7-8 (TRL 7-8) by the end of the project. Research activities must take account of the requirements of the selected TRL levels.
• Proposals must be in line with the general and specific objectives listed in the Memorandum of Understanding for the European partnership on Clean Steel launched in Horizon Europe.
• Proposals need to show in the excellence and/or impact part of the application form how they contribute to the multiannual strategic R&I agenda of the Clean Steel Partnership.
• Proposals must address the application of innovative technologies related to one or two of the six call objectives listed above. If addressing two call objectives, proposals should clearly identify which work packages address which area(s) of which call objective(s).
• Proposals must include an exploitation strategy outlining possible integration of the outcomes of the project (including the pilot/demonstrators) in an industrial environment and a preliminary assessment of their economic viability.
• When addressing the call objectives, proposals should pay particular attention, where relevant, to Article 10a of RFCS Council Decision (EU) 2021/1094 and, more precisely, include activities to address potential solutions that can improve the working conditions of employees at steelmaking facilities, in particular health, safety and ergonomics in and around the workplace.
• Targeted improvements (compared to the existing installation or, for new projects, to the relevant ETS benchmark) must be clearly quantified and demonstrated with energy system and materials balance assessments (including emissions) clearly defined by the applicants. This requirement applies to all the call objectives, with the exception of objective 1.
• Collaborations with start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprise are encouraged.

Visit the below link to read further.

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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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Source of Funding: Xjenza Malta

JPI Oceans aims to advance scientific knowledge and methodologies supporting the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) implementation through process-based approaches to environmental status assessment.

The scope of this joint call builds upon the successful pilot phase of S4GES, which demonstrated the effectiveness of process-based sampling approaches for marine environmental assessment. The conceptual framework was particularly well-received, with Belgium already incorporating elements into their national monitoring strategy.

This joint call addresses critical knowledge gaps and enhances the scientific basis underpinning the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). By consolidating existing knowledge and integrating innovative, process-based monitoring approaches, the joint call further aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of environmental assessments.

Call Objectives

1. Consolidating the Science Base for the implementation of MSFD

• Build on the achievements of the first phase by integrating new findings with existing knowledge.
• Enhance the scientific foundation supporting the MSFD to achieve its targets more effectively.

1. Supporting an improved definition and measurement of Good Environmental Status 

• Specific research on scientific aspects that need further elaboration to better define and measure GES
• Develop and implement methodologies and strategies to better define and measure GES.

1. Supporting the implementation of a process-based approach to GES:

• Define, apply and test process-based monitoring strategies and protocols across different sea basins to improve the relevance and quality of observations and data collection in MFSD with the aim of better using resources more efficiently and reaching more effective targets
• Exploit existing and/or propose new augmented observation infrastructure(s) through joint international collaboration

Entities in Malta are eligible for funding, with the option of requesting up to €150,000 to participate in CETPartnership proposal consortia. As per the partnership call text, the project consortium must include at least one eligible partner from Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and Malta. It is to be noted that if more than one national partner is present in one consortium, the total amount of funding for the participating national partners cannot exceed the €150,000 cap.

For further information on this year’s call, kindly refer to the Call Text, National Application Form, as well as the National Rules for participation for State Aid, and Non-State Aid. Annexes can be downloaded from this link.

To apply, the below need to be submitted by the pre-proposal deadline:

• The project coordinator needs to submit the project pre-proposal on the link provided: Click to visit JPI Oceans website by the 1st of April 2025 at 17:00 CET.
• Each National applicant shall be required to submit a National Application Form to xjenzamalta@gov.mt by the 1st of April 2025 at 23:59CET.

For further information please contact the programme officers Ms Christy Baldacchino at christy.baldacchino.2@gov.mt, (+356) 2360 2158, copying in eusubmissions.xjenzamalta@gov.mt.

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

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Visit the below link to view the 25 funding opportunities on Cascade Funding portal, an instrument by the European Commission. 

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

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Source of Funding: Funds and Programmes Division (FPD), Office of the Prime Minster, European Funds, Equality, Reforms and Social Dialogue (OPM – EES)

The Innovation Fund is the EU’s flagship climate policy initiative that focuses on supporting energy and industrial projects that contribute to Europe’s transition to climate neutrality. It aims to bring to the market solutions to decarbonise European industry and support its transition to climate neutrality while fostering its competitiveness.

The Innovation Fund focuses on highly innovative* technologies and flagship projects within Europe that can bring about significant emission reductions. The projects need to be sufficiently mature in terms of planning, business model and financial and legal structure.

The Innovation Fund is open to public and private legal entities. In general projects must be located in EU Member States or EEA countries (i.e. Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein).

*The Innovation Fund aims to support projects that go beyond incremental innovation. There are varying degrees of innovation ranging from breakthrough (such as completely new technologies, processes, business models, products or services which are likely to lead to significant change that transforms entire markets or industries or creates new ones) to intermediate (such as new or considerably changed technologies or processes or business models for the production or delivery of existing or new products or services).

Further details about what constitutes ‘innovation’ under this Fund can be found in Annex 1 of the call text: "Innovation Fund call 2024 Net Zero Technologies"

Calls for Proposals
On December 3, 2024, the European Commission launched two funding calls under the Innovation Fund:

• IF24 Call: €2.4 billion allocated for Net-Zero technologies.
• IF24 Battery: €1 billion allocated for electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing.
• Eligible categories:
  1. Energy intensive industries
  2. Carbon capture and utilisation
  3. Carbon capture and storage
  4. Renewable energy and battery storage

Eligible entities: Public and private legal entities

Geographical Location: EU Member State or EEA countries

The deadline for submission of Innovation Fund applications is April 24, 2025.

Orientation Dialogues for Applicants
To support potential applicants, the European Commission’s DG CLIMA and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) are offering one-to-one and high-level orientation dialogue sessions in the first half of February 2025.

The orientation dialogues will be 25-minute sessions offering high-level guidance on the Innovation Fund. These sessions will focus on helping applicants understand the framework of the fund, discuss potential project outlines, and address general queries related to the call for proposals.

Project specific questions must be avoided and will not be answered during the orientation dialogue. Such questions can only be answered via the official helpdesk. This is important to ensure equal treatment of all applicants.

Please note that the orientation dialogues cannot pre-judge the outcome of the official evaluation procedure.

The Funds and Programmes Division (FPD), Office of the Prime Minster, European Funds, Equality, Reforms and Social Dialogue (OPM – EES), is inviting expressions of interest from organisations wishing to participate in the orientation dialogues.

Interested applicants are required to complete and submit a detailed questionnaire outlining their project. Access the questionnaire, and submissions must be made by February 5, 2025.

Interest in participation in orientation dialogues is assessed according to eligibility and level of maturity of project proposals. While only eligible and sufficiently advanced projects will be considered for participation in the orientation dialogues, early-stage projects are still encouraged to apply. These projects will receive tailored guidance from the FPD or SEM on alternative funding opportunities.

Interested applicants will be notified of the result by COB February 7, 2025.

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Source of Funding: DTO-BioFlow Project

The DTO-BioFlow project is launching its second open call, inviting international networks, citizen science initiatives, research institutes, universities, and NGOs to contribute marine biodiversity data to the European Digital Twin of the Ocean. This initiative is aligned with the EU’s mission to restore oceans and waters by 2030, enhancing oceanographic knowledge and supporting evidence-based policy development.