Collaboration between businesses as well as industry and research institutions is a sure way of stimulating economic growth and improving the competitiveness of specific industry sectors. Support measures are available to encourage the generation and growth of inter-regional and cross-border business networks and clusters.
Joining forces with other companies to achieve a common goal or sharing and exchanging knowledge with Research Organisations could be a wiser decision than tackling a project alone.
Through a number of incentives and memberships in various networks, Malta Enterprise can help you both financially as well as by helping you identify companies with common objectives with whom to share resources and collaborate.
Programmes
EUREKA is an intergovernmental network launched in 1985, to support market-oriented R&D and innovation projects across all technological sectors.
Eurostars Joint Programme is an innovation programme managed by EUREKA. Its purpose is to provide funding for market-oriented research and development with the active participation of ‘Research and Development performing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises’. Eurostars is a joint initiative between EUREKA and the EU Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7).
Available Incentives
Network Support
Collaborating in a network will enable an enterprise to build synergies, benefit from transfer of knowledge and attract business deals which would otherwise be difficult to conclude as individual enterprises. Part-financing on costs specifically related to the operations of the network is available for Business and Development Networks.
Collaborative R&D
A grant scheme aimed at supporting Maltese enterprises carry out industrial research or experimental development projects in collaboration with other enterprises.
R&D Clusters
Part-financing on investment and operating costs to support formal collaboration between enterprises and research organisations in the setting-up, expanding and animating innovation clusters with the sole purpose of promoting Industrial Research and Experimental Development.
Enterprise Europe Network
The largest network of contact points providing information and advice to EU companies on EU matters, in particular small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The network provides practical answers to specific questions in your language.
Malta’s desk for the Enterprise Europe Network is managed by Malta Enterprise. Further information on the network’s website.
Exploratory Award
Cash grants to help SMEs develop project proposals for submission to the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP).
Business Advisory Services
Subsidised consultancy to support a business’s particular needs for development.