The Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri together with the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti launched two research schemes with funds amounting to more than €1.3 million.
After an agreement was signed between the Maltese Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) and the Maltese Council for Science and Technology (MCST), a funding program is being launched with a maximum of €1.2 million over a period of ‘ two years to finance digital projects in their infancy or applied research projects.
For its part, the MDIA will be issuing another call for the applied research grant with a total of €120,000. This call is different because it will not be focusing on artificial intelligence only but also other innovative technologies.
Minister Silvio Schembri said that, “As a Government we are committed to continue working together in order to offer support to address economic niches that are the present as well as the future. It is gratifying to see this collaboration between Government entities, a clear demonstration of how one rope is being pulled, with joint work for more success.”
Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti explained that through this collaborative initiative, Maltese researchers will benefit from the expertise of MDIA’s technical experts, as well as from the administrative experience when it comes to the implementation of programs for -research and innovation of MCST.
“With these initiatives, we are creating a system where Maltese researchers and entrepreneurs can really develop their innovative ideas in a specialized environment, designed for their specific needs. We are committed to seeing that this sectoral specialization has the necessary incentives to strengthen all the innovative sectors that drive the Maltese economy,” concluded Parliamentary Secretary Azzopardi Tanti.
The CEO of MDIA, Kenneth Brincat said that, “The initiatives we are launching today are a demonstration of how intensive work is being done so that Malta is always more prepared for the future, as technology continues to enter our fast-paced lives. This shows how the use of these different types of technologies is very wide, and therefore we recognize the need to, as we have always done, be a shoulder by offering financial assistance for the development of these innovative technologies .”
The Chairman of the MCST Dr. Tonio Portughese said that, “As a Council we are committed to continue strengthening cooperation and collaboration with private entities, public authorities, NGOs, as well as with education and research institutes in our country. Precisely through this initiative, opportunities will be created for everyone to enjoy, especially the sectors and areas for which we as a Council have responsibility.”
For more information visit: https://mcst.gov.mt/digital-technologies-programme/ and https://www.mdia.gov.mt/schemes/applied-research-grant-marg/ .
