Welcome to MCST!
The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST), acting for and on behalf of the Foundation for Science and Technology, is a public body established by the central government in 1988 with the mandate of advising government on science and technology policy.
Raising the profile of Research and Innovation (R&I) across the local community
MCST champions R&I engagement across public, academic and private sectors and provides support measures across the research eco-system to help your ideas become a reality. MCST also creates a basis for science education, popularisation and communication for young students, for the eventual upskilling of the sector and capacity building.
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R&I Programmes
MCST manages national funds for R&I through the development and operation of programmes, which in turn, create vehicles for research across the public, academic and private sectors. A portfolio of funding programmes provides researchers with the opportunity to translate their ideas into tangible projects and eventual products or services.
Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 is the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020). The Programme provides the opportunity for Maltese researchers and organisations to be at the forefront of research and innovation and to collaborate with leading organisations across Europe and the world. The Horizon Unit supports local researchers by providing guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in the Horizon 2020 programme.
Image: NASA/GSFC/MITI/ERSDAC/JAROS, U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
Space Directorate
MCST has been tasked with the coordination and governance of space-related matters in Malta. MCST also drives the building of relationships with foreign space agencies, the Maltese Government, industry and the educational sector. It actively encourages the uptake of the sector through a number of awareness-raising, capacity building and research programme initiatives.
Internationalisation
MCST acts as a national contact point organisation for a number of international collaboration initiatives such as PRIMA, JPI programmes and others, such that the local community builds capacity of international repute. MCST also engages with contacts across the globe to open new opportunities for cooperation. One example is the relationship with the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), to strengthen the scientific collaboration between the two countries. MCST participates in a number of internationalisation platforms which include the 5+5 and the Strategic Forum for International Science and Technology Cooperation (SFIC), EU-MED, and the High Level Group on Joint Programming (GPC) amongst others.
MCST advises Government on R&I policy matters, both in terms of national and international matters, particularly in EU affairs. At the national level, MCST drives the national R&I Strategy, whilst liaising with various stakeholders (public, private, academic and civil society). Since 2012, MCST has also been responsible for the development of the national innovation strategy for smart specialisation, which is a conditionality for accessing ERDF funding. MCST also monitors the R&I Strategy through a dedicated monitoring mechanism. MCST is also responsible for guiding and advising on EU R&I policy affairs in both the European Council and Parliament. MCST ensures that national interests are safeguarded in the relevant EU-level discussions.
Esplora, Malta’s Interactive Science Centre, is an informal educational and recreational facility suited to visitors of all age groups.
Plumtri provides an opportunity for researchers to connect and network with one another, as well as to gain access to relevant information on a multitude of R&I developments, events and funding opportunities
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