Commercialisation
The Malta Council for Science and Technology has charted the way forward in research and innovation (R&I) through the formulation of a strategic plan titled National Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation: 2007-2010 – Building and Sustaining the R&I Enabling Framework. A new strategic plan for 2011 – 2020 is currently being developed.
The strategy presents a vision for R&I in Malta as well as a set of underpinning strategic principles which guided the formulation of the plan. The R&I vision proposed for 2007 – 2010 is:
“Research and Innovation at the heart of the Maltese economy to support value-added growth and wealth.”
Currently, a substantial effort on a national level is being put behind funding Research and Innovation (R&I) at the various stages of the development process, mainly through the National R&I Programme, administered by The Council, and other initiatives administered by Malta Enterprise. The Commercialisation Programme will support technology towards reaching a market and generate wealth, which can then be cycled back into R&I investment, making it sustainable.
It was noted that this would be the right time to launch a new Commercialisation Programme, which supports technology in reaching the market, as research projects funded through the National R&I Programme reach maturity.
The Council will administer a new Commercialisation Programme, hereby launched for the first time, which aims to:
(1) bridge missing links in the development chain;
(2) assist research in reaching the market;
(3) and complement the National R&I Programme.
This Programme may be accessed before, in parallel or after technical research has taken place. The Commercialisation Programme offers funding in the form of grants to assist researchers, individuals and innovative companies to access specialist advice and services to build their skills, knowledge, networks and potential for commercialisation.
Open Calls
High Level Information
(For full and binding details please download and carefully read the Commercialisation Programme 2012 –Guidelines and Rules for participation).
Scope: To study whether a technology has commercial potential by analysing market and technical data and developing a business plan ready to be presented to potential investors.
Typical Project Activities: Business and IP planning; commercialisation validation; capital sources and business linkages
Eligible Costs: Internal or subcontracted advisory services, market research; specific travelling; certain salaries; demonstration items and indirect costs
Ineligible costs: product development; equipment; expenses on loans, recoverable VAT and others
Programme Fund: €200,000
Project Grant Value: €25,000 to €75,000
Project Written Submission Deadline: 25th April 2012, noon
Presentation to Evaluation Board: 14th June 2012
Project Start Date 1st October 2012
Project Duration 6 to 12 months
Priority Sectors: Environment and Energy; ICT; Value Added Manufacturing and Services; Health and Biotechnology
Participants can be local SMEs, NGOs, Professional Bodies, Public Bodies or Individual Organisations as long as they can demonstrate technology ownership/ permission for use.
State Aid de minimis rules apply where applicable
Contact commercialisation.mcst@gov.mt
