Energy and Water Agency, the agency aims to boost and guide the direction of the domestic R&I in the fields of energy and water over the upcoming decade. Their call for Research and Innovation (R&I) is expected to play a key role in contributing to the improved management of both the sector of water and energy, and open for projects about:
Optimizing Greywater systems to improve water use efficiency
Efficient Agricultural Irrigation Systems
Enhancing the potential of, or introducing novel implementation, of Solar & Wind systems
Integration of Grid and Storage with Energy Sources and Demand-Side Management
Smart systems for post-meter water leakage detection and/or prevention in domestic and commercial buildings
Smart systems aimed at Decarbonisation of Energy Use in domestic and commercial buildings
MDIA has allocated a fund for projects to create support measures for the further diffusion of innovative technology arrangements within the public and private sector, and to increase efficiency, transparency and citizen engagement. Their grant for applied research aims to support capacity-building efforts related to: Artificial Intelligence; and/or Digital Trust; and/or Knowledge, Data Representation and Analysis; and/or Technology for Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG); and/ or Quantum Computing; and Other Emerging Technologies.
Xjenza Malta, formerly Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST), have recently rebranded and their website is still being updated with annual calls for funded projects. Please get in touch with our offices at RSSD, or keep an eye out on their front page for more info on funding schemes.
Here below is a list of calls now open for the year end of 2024.
Support Schemes for Horizon Europe: The support schemes are designed to help academics network, write, and design top-notch proposals. It covers mobility, fees for consultancy and mentorship, as well as training to help you present pitch-perfect ideas!
EIC Support: To apply for calls by theEuropean Innovation Council.
ERC Support: To apply for calls by the European Research Council.
Xjenza Malta R&I Schemes run by way of direct funding in line with Malta's National R&I strategic plan for 2023 to 2027. This includes 3 sets of schemes for research and Innovation: Fusion, Thematic Progammes, and the Research Networking Scheme.
FUSION aims to transform innovative ideas from research into market-ready solutions. The schemes offer mentoring and also financial support for early-stage development of innovative ideas. The support can be used to cross all levels of RDI, from basic to applied research and commercialisation, and runs 4 calls: Commercialisation Vouchers Programme (CVP), the Technology Development Programme (TDP and TDP Lite), and the Research Excellence Programme. The main call under FUSION is the TDP. Xjenza Malta aim to open this call by end of October 2024. This fund is tailored for applied research, and supports the development of innovative projects proposed by a consortium composed of public entities and industry players. It builds on the scientific opinion evaluation and the outcomes of the two stages covered by the Commercialisation Voucher Programme (CVP) wherein beneficiaries can undertake an IP Check and Commercial feasibility study at the beginning of their TDP project. These ensure that the proposed undertaking has undergone the necessary preparatory phase to ensure market potential.
The Thematic Progamme is a targeted stream, it's top-down, and also focused on market needs or failures of the year in question. The aim is to improve Malta’s R&I landscape by creating a cohesive system for researchers and entrepreneurs to develop their innovative ideas within a comprehensive, well-adapted environment suited to their sector;
Xjenza Malta will host calls in reference to the Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS) by the European Space Agency. The aim is to support projects for space science research and education, and the second call opens in 2025.
Xjenza Malta, formerly Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST), have recently rebranded and their website is still being updated with annual calls for funded projects. Please get in touch with our offices at RSSD, or keep an eye out on their front page for more info on funding schemes.
Here below is a list of transnational partnerships supported by Malta's National Contact point, Xjenza Malta.
PRIMA MEDis an open call for partners to submit a proposal and collaborate for the sustainable use of natural resources, economic growth, and stability in the Mediterranean. Proposals should aim to develop collaborative partnerships by research and innovation about one of these themes:
1. Farming Systems
2. Agri-Food Chains
3. Water Management.
Support for PRIMA: The Training and Mobility Award 2024 with Xjenza Malta. This award aims to help you design better proposals and consortia. You can use the fund to form collaborations from 19 States who actively participate in this call for PRIMA by funding
In-person short training and/or placements for local researchers in foreign entities.
Strategic and targeted visits by local applicants to foreign entities.
Knowledge-transfer and/or dissemination seminars or workshops in Malta
SBEP: The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership is a Horizon Europe co-funded partnership, its strategy takes into consideration the R&I agendas of the sea basins (Mediterranean, Black Sea, Baltic and North Sea) and the Atlantic Ocean and builds on lessons learned from previous initiatives.
Digital Twins of the Oceans (DTO) at Regional Sub-basin Scale
Blue Economy Sectors: Development of Marine Multi-use Infrastructures
Planning and Managing Sea-uses at the Regional Level
Blue Bioresources
CETPartnership: The Clean Energy Transition Partnership Joint Call for 2024. This call aims to foster collaboration between industry, research institutions, and local actors to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Here is the full list of topics:
CM2024-01 Data spaces and interoperability
CM2024-02 Energy system flexibility: renewables production, storage and system integration
CM2024-03 Advanced renewable energy (RE) technologies for power production
CM2024-04 Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
CM2024-05 Hydrogen & renewable fuels;
CM2024-06 Heating and cooling technologies
CM2024-07 Geothermal energy technologies
CM2024-08 Integrated regional energy systems
CM2024-09 Integrated industrial energy systems
CM2024-10 Clean energy integration in the built environment
Sino-Malta accepts proposals for cooperation between entities in Malta and China. The focus is on supporting cooperation, with an emphasis on R&I proposals for the following themes:
TUBITAKaccepts proposals for cooperation between entities in Malta and Turkey. The focus is on supporting cooperation for Malta and widening countries, with an emphasis on R&I proposals for the following themes:
COST Actions are interdisciplinary research network that brings researchers and innovators together to investigate a topic of their choice for 4 years. COST Actions are typically made up of researchers from academia, SMEs, public institutions and other relevant organisations or interested parties.
ERASMUS+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda.
Here is list of calls from this year's programme, along with an outline for more details about each call under Key Action 2 and Key Action 3.
Key Action 1
If you'd like to apply for calls under KA1, please refer to international office at UM.
The Creative Europe (CREA) programme supports projects to foster cultural diversity, promote artistic expression, and boost the economic potential of the creative industries.
The Horizon Europe programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies. The work programme is split into Three pillars:
Pillar 1. Excellent Science
Pillar 2. Clusters to organise topics for Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Pillar 3. Innovative Europe.
Horizon Europe Pillar 1. Excellent Science
European Research Council (ERC): The calls by the ERC are open to the fields of Physical Science, Life Science, and also for the Social Science and Humanities. They welcome interdisciplinary proposals and pioneers who are eager to address emerging fields of research, and unconventional, innovative approaches to scientific invention. What they look for is ambition and excellence, and preference is made for ideas which offer High-Risk High-Gain projects along with a solid record of publishing for independent and leading research
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions aims to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research. The Postdoctoral Fellowships action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. PFs help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors.
Research infrastructures: These facilities provide resources and services for researchers to come together as a community, conduct research, and foster innovation in their specific field. This includes major equipment or sets of instruments, and knowledge-related facilities such as collections, archives or scientific data, computing systems, communication networks. Working under Horizon Europe, the aim is to endow Europe with world-class sustainable research infrastructures that are both open and accessible to the best researchers from Europe and beyond.
The University of Malta already participates in a variety of research infrastructures across diverse fields, including
Research and Education Networking (GÉANT);
Distributed Marine Data Infrastructure (SeaDataNet),
European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS),
Infrastructure for Marine and Inland Water Research (AquaINFRA)
Distributed infrastructure for life-science information (ELIXIR) (node is under construction),
Heavy Ion Therapy Integration Plus (HITRIplus)
Joint European Research Infrastructure for Coastal Observatories (JERICO-RI)
European Research Infrastructure for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC)
European Infrastructure for the Development of New Therapies in Rare Diseases (Eurordis)
European Research Infrastructures Consortiums(ERIC) refers to a specific legal form that facilitates the establishment and operation of Research Infrastructures with European interest on a not-for-profit basis. ERICs are funded by subscription from member countries and governed by member country representatives. For more information on ERICs, please consult the EU ERIC regulation.
ERICs are represented in Malta by the following entities:
Integrated Structural Biology ERIC (INSTRUCT ERIC);
Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE-ERIC);
Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI-ERIC)
e-Science European Research Infrastructure for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research (Life Watch ERIC)
European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC-ERIC)
European Social Survey (ESS-ERIC)
European Research Infrastructure for the Study of Health and Disease (ECRIN-ERIC)
These ERICs enhance Malta's research capabilities in various fields, including marine biology, social sciences, and health research. Each of these infrastructures contributes to collaborative research efforts across Europe.
Horizon Europe's Pillar 2. Clusters to organise topics for Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Health
Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
Civil Security for Society
Digital Industry and Space
Climate Energy and Mobility
Food Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre
Horizon Europe's Pillar 3. Innovative Europe.
European Innovation Council
European Innovation Ecosystems
European Institute of Innovation and Technology
The Justice programme aims to promote judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, helps train judges and other legal practitioners and facilitates effective access to justice for individuals and businesses throughout Europe.
The Rights, Equality and Citizenship programmecontributes to the further development of an area where equality and the rights of persons, as enshrined in the Treaty, the Charter and international human rights conventions, are promoted, protected and effectively implemented.
The LIFE programme spearheads of EU environmental and climate funding. The new LIFE programme (2021-2027) contains two main fields of action, environment and climate action, and four sub-programmes: Nature and biodiversity, Circular economy and quality of life, Climate change mitigation and adaptation, Clean energy transition.
AXA Fellowships aim to support young promising researchers on a priority topic aligned with AXA and the Society. AXA's support should be transformative for the researcher and the advancement of her/his research field.
DFG Research Fellowships aim to help early career researchers to carry research outside Germany. Individuals that have spent at least three years during the doctoral and/or post-doctoral phase directly prior to submission of the proposal are eligible.
MSCA PF: The action for Postdoctoral Fellowships targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. PFs help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors. In addition, Xjenza Malta run PF2MT: a Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Scheme for incoming postdocs to Malta from any nationality and age.
MSCA SE: The action for Staff Exchanges funds short-term international and inter-sectoral exchanges of staff members involved in research and innovation activities of participating organisations. The aim is to develop sustainable collaborative projects between different organisations from the academic and non-academic sectors (in particular SMEs), based in Europe and beyond. Exchanged staff benefit from new knowledge, skills and career development perspectives, while participating organisations increase their research and innovation capacities.
MSCA DN: The action for a Doctoral Network invites universities, research institutions, businesses (including SMEs), and socio-economic organizations to collaborate as a consortium and implement new doctoral programmes. This includes 3 strands to choose from:
Standard Doctoral Networks: Candidates enroll in a doctoral programme and contribute to a joint research project.
Industrial Doctoral Networks: Candidates develop skills in both academia and industry through joint supervision by academic and non-academic organizations.
Joint Doctorates: Highly integrated international, inter-sectoral, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
MSCA COFUND: This action provides funding for regional, national and international programmes for training and career development, through co-funding mechanisms. It spreads the MSCA’s best practices by promoting high standards and excellent working conditions. COFUND promotes sustainable training and international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility, and includes two types:
Doctoral Programmes: This type funds research training activities to allow doctoral candidates to develop and broaden their skills and competences. They will lead to the award of a doctoral degree.
Postdoctoral Programmes.This type funds individual advanced research training and career development fellowships for postdoctoral researchers.
Reach High II by the Education Services, Government of Malta, aims to provide recently graduated doctoral students the opportunity to propose research projects with Higher Education Institutions within a varied set of prioritized fields. Selected research projects will be provided with a Post-Doctorate Research Grant. The research grants are intended to help build research clusters of excellence in areas that complement the National Research and Innovation strategy.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme by the Malta Chamber of Commerce and the support of Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR), in consultation with the University of Malta (UM), The Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation (PSYRI), aims to make available a number of post-doctoral research positions at the UM in collaboration with economic partners. Through the scheme, MEYR will promote Research and Innovation Projects between the UM and economic partners, aimed at providing a positive and constructive impact to the economic players and the Maltese economy.
ERA TALENTS (secondments) by the European Research Executive Agency aims to boost interoperability of careers and employability of research and innovation talents across sectors, with a centre of gravity in widening countries. Focuses on cross-sectoral talent circulation and academia-business collaboration for knowledge transfer.
Here below you can also find more info about applying to external funds, including training videos and courses on the OpenCosmos Platform, administrative info about the University of Malta, and a set of Frequently Asked Questions about setting up your application on behalf of the University of Malta.
