1. November 2007 1 New Programme Projects of National Importance Lm25,000 Specific Programme still under development

2. Malta Council for Science and Technology National Research and Innovation Programme 2008 Brian Warrington CEO, MCST

3. November 2007 3 Overview Value of Programme Euro 700k Indicative project funding €50k - €200 (Lm22k – Lm88k) Project duration normally 1 – 3 years

4. November 2007 4 State Aid Operates under de minimis state aid regime: –Projects in fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture ineligible –Industry to ensure they do not exceed allowable limit of aid (€200k gross over 3-year period). Complements Malta Enterprise scheme to promote R&D in industry Double funding not allowed – checks are conducted

5. November 2007 5 Programme 2008 highlights Scope: research, development and innovation in science and technology (acquire new knowledge). Sectors: focus on 4 priority sectors Key objective: to promote technology transfer between –Knowledge providers (academic institution) –Knowledge users (Industry or public sector entity) Technology transfer must fulfill a genuine need and therefore certain funding limits apply (explained later)

6. November 2007 6 Participants Consortium –At least 2 participants, (a) an academic institution and (b) industry or public sector –other partners may be included but must add value Maltese legal entities (academia, public, private, NGOs) eligible for funding Foreign entities eligible but not funded Project Coordinator must be Maltese legal entity

7. November 2007 7 Eligible Costs Eligible Direct Costs –Technical and management personnel –Purchase of specialised equipment –Travel, networking, dissemination –Subcontracting (limit 25% or project grant) Eligible Indirect Costs –10% of eligible costs, excluding subcontracting, excluding equipment over €5,000

8. November 2007 8 Funding Levels Academic, research institute, public body, NGO – 100% Private entity – 75% Plus 10% overheads

9. November 2007 9 Funding restrictions Objective: good balance and distribution of workload Funding for any participant limited to 66% of project grant Combined funding for any category limited to 66% of project grant Funding for public body limited to 25% of project grant Subcontracting limited to 25%

10. November 2007 10 Process Pre-registration 2-stage submission and evaluation process Shortlisting stage –Lightweight preliminary proposal –Estimates of timeframes, costings Selection stage –Full project proposal –Details of participants –Activities, timeframes, costings

11. November 2007 11 Funding Project to be structured into stages of 12-18 months duration Single stage project –Advance of 80% –Project report at end of project –MCST Audit, determine eligible costs –Payment of balance due (or reimbusement)

12. November 2007 12 Funding Multiple-stage project –advance of 100% of first stage –Project Report at end of each stage, including updated forecast –Calculation of balance due for next stage –Advance of 80% of final stage –Funding for any one stage will not exceed 80% of total –Final Project Report, reconciliation and payment of balance due

13. November 2007 13 Financial considerations Participants must maintain and financial accounts and separate bank account Actual costs with fiscal receipts Costs determined in accordance with usual accounting and management procedures Expenses must be consistent with principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness Refundable expenses limited to allocation

14. November 2007 14 Ownership of results Ownership of IP and all rights rests with participants In case of consortium, requirement for signing of IP agreement between consortium members

15. November 2007 15 Other Significant events – inform MCST Withdrawal of participant – agree with MCST for reallocation or replacement Default – MCST entitled to withdraw funding and claim refund

16. November 2007 16 Evaluation and Selection

17. November 2007 17 What is important Good project Good proposal You are strongly encouraged to discuss your proposal with us before submission

18. November 2007 18 Marking and Thresholds Evaluated on 4 criteria Each criterion allocated maximum of 5 marks No weighting Threshold of 3 for each criterion Overall threshold of 14

19. November 2007 19 Selection Criteria 1. Programme Objectives 2. Concept and Approach 3. Quality 4. Potential Impact

20. November 2007 20 Selection Criteria (1) Programme objectives –Degree of fit with priority sectors –Extent of collaboration between academia and industry/public entity –Addresses a genuine need for knowledge transfer

21. November 2007 21 Selection Criteria (2) Concept and Approach –Conceptually sound –Clearly defined objectives, ambitious but achievable –Clearly defined deliverables –Proposes suitable actions

22. November 2007 22 Selection Criteria (3) Quality –Participants have necessary knowledge and skills –Balanced participation and funding

23. November 2007 23 Selection Criteria (4) Potential Impact –Application and uses of research and deliverables –Roadmap for realisation of benefits –Spillover effects

24. November 2007 24 Application Title Abstract (150 words) Proposal (max 3 pages) Project Plan Outline Project Team Budget overview Organisation Profile

25. November 2007 25 Proposal Section (max 3 pages) Background State of the art Proposal Objectives & Deliverables Competitiveness Impact (uses, benefits, future effort) IP Issues

26. November 2007 26 Some advice You are strongly encouraged to discuss your proposal with us before submission Max length of proposal Clarity and conciseness

27. November 2007 27 Timeframes Launch5 Nov Pre-registration23 Nov 1 st stage submissions14 Dec Evaluation15 Jan08 2 nd stage submissions15 Feb08 Evaluation17 Mar08 Negotiation & SigningApr 08