Hosting opportunities
Launch of 11 calls for hosting open access projects in JRC Nuclear Research Infrastructures
The calls in question:
Laboratory of the Environmental & Mechanical Materials Assessment (EMMA)
[Calls close 15/10/2020]
European research infrastructure for nuclear reaction, radioactivity, radiation and technology studies in science and applications (EUFRAT)
[Calls close 15/10/2020]
EU Funding
COST creates spaces where scientists are in the driving seat (bottom-up) and ideas can grow through a flexible and open approach. By enabling researchers from academia, industry and the public and private sector to work together in open networks that transcend borders, COST helps to advance science, stimulates knowledge sharing and pools resources.
- open to researchers and innovators;
- collaborating in a field of science and technology of common interest to at least seven COST Members/Cooperating Members;
- based on a joint work programme lasting four years;
- answering to the COST Open Call for proposals.
Horizon 2020
ERC grants
Are you a researcher with an excellent scientific profile and with visionary research projects in mind that you want to realise in Europe? The European Research Council (ERC) has a funding scheme that will meet your needs.
The following grants are available:
Starting Grants: €1.5 million over 5 years for researchers with 2 to 7 years post-PhD experience
Estimated deadline: 9 March 2021
Consolidator Grants: €2 million over 5 years for researchers with 7 to 12 years post-PhD experience
Estimated deadline: 20 April 2021
Advanced Grants: €2.5 million over 5 years for researchers with over 12 years post-PhD experience
Estimated deadline: 31 August 2021
European Green Deal
- Eight thematic areas reflecting the key work streams of the European Green Deal. In each area, one or more topics addresses the challenges outlined in the respective stream. Topics target specific, high-impact technological and societal innovations that can help advance the sustainable transition relatively quickly.
- Two horizontal areas (strengthening knowledge; empowering citizens; and international cooperation) that cut across the eight thematic areas and offer a longer-term perspective in achieving the transformations set out in the European Green Deal.
- Increasing climate ambition
Preventing and fighting extreme wildfires with the integration and demonstration of innovative means ()
Towards Climate-Neutral and Socially Innovative Cities ()
Climate-resilient Innovation Packages for EU regions ()
- Clean, affordable and secure energy
Innovative land-based and offshore renewable energy technologies and their integration into the energy system ()
Develop and demonstrate a 100 MW electrolyser upscaling the link between renewables and commercial/industrial applications ()
Accelerating the green transition and energy access Partnership with Africa ()
- Industry for a clean and circular economy
Closing the industrial carbon cycle to combat climate change – Industrial feasibility of catalytic routes for sustainable alternatives to fossil resources ()
Demonstration of systemic solutions for the territorial deployment of the circular economy ()
- Energy and resource efficient buildings
Building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way ()
- Sustainable and smart mobility
Green airports and ports as multimodal hubs for sustainable and smart mobility ()
- Farm to Fork
Testing and demonstrating systemic innovations in support of the Farm-to-Fork Strategy ()
- Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services ()
- Zero-pollution, toxic-free environments
Innovative, systemic zero-pollution solutions to protect health, environment and natural resources from persistent and mobile chemicals ()
Fostering regulatory science to address combined exposures to industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals: from science to evidence-based policies ()
- Strengthening our knowledge in support of the European Green Deal
European Research Infrastructures capacities and services to address European Green Deal challenges ()
Developing end-user products and services for all stakeholders and citizens supporting climate adaptation and mitigation ()
Transparent & Accessible Seas and Oceans: Towards a Digital Twin of the Ocean ()
- Empowering citizens for the transition towards a climate neutral, sustainable Europe
European capacities for citizen deliberation and participation for the Green Deal ()
Behavioural, social and cultural change for the Green Deal ()
Enabling citizens to act on climate change, for sustainable development and environmental protection through education, citizen science, observation initiatives, and civic engagement ()
Deadline for all above calls: 26 January 2021
With relevance to this call, kindly note that Crowdhelix together with the EU funded MultiCycle project, we will be holding a European Green Deal focused networking event on 8 October 2020. .
Furthermore, the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) is organising a one-hour webinar on the same date. Registration is available .
Erasmus+
The Erasmus+ is the main funding programme for the Education of the EU. The programme is split into 3 Key Actions:
Key Action 1 - Learning mobility of Individuals:
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degrees
Provides eligible organisations with the opportunity to jointly organise and run Master degree programmes. The programme can be of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits lasting from 12 to 24 months. Funding is available for the running of the programme as well as for scholarships for EU (25%) and non-EU (75%) students, for four consecutive academic years. The purpose is to attract excellent students from around the world, through competitive scholarships.Deadline: estimated February 2021
Key Action 2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices
Strategic partnerships in the field of education, training and youth
These support innovation in the sector as well as joint initiatives to promote cooperation, peer learning and the sharing of experience. Projects typically feature blended mobility training programmes, whereby funding covers staff time for preparing and delivering programmes, travel of trainers and students, meetings and exceptional costs. Project duration is between 24 and 26 months.
Deadline: estimated March 21
Knowledge Alliances
Designed to support innovation in higher education and business, develop new approaches to teaching and learning, promote entrepreneurship, and promote knowledge sharing. In order to achieve this, a typical partnership consists of both academic and industrial partners, with the aim of aligning teaching and learning programmes to the needs of the industry.
Deadline: estimated February 2021
Sector Skills Alliances
Tackle skills gap and improve the adaptability of VET systems to sector-specific labour market needs and the demand for new skills. As above, partnership between training organisations and industry is essential.
Deadline: estimated February 2021
Capacity Building
Supports the modernisation, accessibility, and internationalisation of higher education in Partner (Non-EU) Countries. In other words, it’s all about replicating programmes, good practices and systems developed in EU Countries in Non-EU countries.
Deadline: estimated February 2021
Extraordinary calls - Exceptional circumstances Covid-19
The extraordinary calls were launched in light of the exceptional circumstances presented by Covid-19, to which all of us, including our Education systems, had to adapt to. To this effect, the Erasmus+ Programme is taking up the challenge to confirm its role as the main EU instrument supporting innovation in education, training, youth and sport as well as providing opportunities for personal, socio-educational and professional development of people in Europe and beyond, with the aim of leaving no-one behind.
The two calls aim at supporting digital education readiness and creative skills.
Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness (in the fields of school education, vocational education and training, and higher education): these aim at equipping education and training systems to face the challenges presented by the recent sudden shift to online and distance learning, including supporting teachers to develop digital competences and safeguarding the inclusive nature of learning opportunities.
Partnerships for Creativity (in the fields of youth, school education and adult education): these aim at engaging organisations in the fields of formal, informal and non-formal education, together with those from the creative and cultural sectors to stimulate European awareness and empower people of current and future generations to be successful innovators. These partnerships are targeted to equip young people and adults with the necessary tools and competences required for creative and innovative solutions to face unprecedented risks and societal challenges.
The current COVID-19 crisis has greatly accelerated the need for modernisation and digital transformation of education and training systems across Europe. The goal is to reinforce the ability of education and training institutions to provide high quality, inclusive digital education. The focus will be on building capacity to implement online, blended and distance teaching and learning; to develop digital pedagogical competences of educators, enabling them to deliver high quality inclusive digital education; and to develop and/or use high quality digital content such as innovative online resources and tools. The partnerships will promote networking of institutions across the EU, sharing of resources and expertise, and collaboration with digital technology providers and experts in educational technologies and relevant pedagogical practice, to develop tailor made solutions adapted to local challenges and realities.
For further information on the specificities of these two calls, you please consult .
The applications will be uploaded online to the Erasmus+ application portal of the European Commission in the coming days. Keep an eye on the website and facebook page for further updates in this regard.
The deadline to apply is 29 October 2020.
Should you require any assistance, please contact EUPA on eupa@gov.mt.
Key Action 3 - Support for policy reform
Opportunities contribute to supporting the overall EU policy agenda, the Education and Training 2020 cooperation framework, and the Youth Strategy. Projects shall contribute to improving the quality of education, training, and youth systems in Europe, as well as promoting transnational learning and cooperation between authorities. They will also contribute to developing the basis for evidence-based policy-making, as well as supporting networks and tools for policy implementation.
Deadline: Social inclusion and common values strand estimated February 2021;
Policy experimentations strand estimated May 2021
Horizon 2020 call for independent experts
This is a for expression of interest to act as independent experts, towards experts with ethics in medical & life sciences/bioethics expertise. Call addressed to individuals for the establishment of a database of prospective independent experts to assist Commission services with tasks in connection with Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation!
Jean Monnet Activities
Jean Monnet Activities are designed to promote excellence in teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide. The activities also foster the dialogue between the academic world and policy-makers, in particular with the aim of enhancing governance of EU policies. Activities include:
- Teaching and Research: Jean Monnet Modules, Chairs and Centres of Excellence.
- Support to Associations: Jean Monnet support to Associations.
- Policy debate with the Academic World: Jean Monnet Networks and Jean Monnet Projects.
Deadline: estimated February 2021
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International Foundations and Grants
European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
EMBO stands for excellence in the life sciences. EMBO is an organization of more than 1800 leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. The major goals of the organization are to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers, stimulate the exchange of scientific information, and help build a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships
The EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded for a period of up to two years and support excellent postdoctoral researchers in laboratories throughout Europe and the world. International exchange is a key requirement. Now awarding grants for employment contracts in EMBC countries, EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships also support the career development of the fellows through leadership courses and networking opportunities.
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Short-Term Fellowships
Update: exceptionally, EMBO will consider applications for Short-Term Fellowships involving home or host institutions in Japan throughout 2020 and 2021.
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Short-Term Fellowships fund research exchanges of up to three months between laboratories in eligible countries. Awarded applicants can stay on their research visit for an additional three months (maximum), however, EMBO will not provide funding for this extended period. The aim is to facilitate valuable collaborations with research groups applying techniques that are unavailable in the applicant's laboratory. Short-Term Fellowships are not awarded for exchanges between two laboratories within the same country. Short-Term Fellowships are intended for joint research work rather than consultations. The fellowships cover travel plus subsistence of the fellow only and not of dependents.
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National Funding
MCST SINO-MALTA Fund Stage 2
The Application Form and Guidelines for Stage 2 of the SINO-MALTA Call are now online.
All documents can be downloaded from the MCST Website.
Deadline: 30 October 2020
Applications should reach the RSSD office until 22 October 2020, to allow adequate time for processing.
Support Scheme for Research and Innovation Projects in the Fields of Energy and Water
The Energy and Water Agency invites applications for financial support for R&I projects in the fields of energy and water. The application period opened on Friday 18 September 2020. The R&I Scheme aims to support R&I projects whose objectives are in line with national policies and seek to contribute in a tangible manner to addressing one of the following:
- A national policy priority or challenge in the energy and water sectors; or
- Economic competitiveness and growth in a variety of national sectors, from an energy and water perspective.
The Application Form and Call guidelines are available .
Deadline: 30 October 2020
Applications should reach the RSSD office until 22 October 2020, to allow adequate time for processing.
MSCT COVID-19 R&D Fund
The World Health Organisation has declared COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern according to the International Health Regulations.
The Malta Council for Science and Technology and Malta Enterprise Corporation have reached to the challenges surrounding the current unprecedented circumstances by designing a national fund entitled the “COVID-19 R&D Fund”. This initiative has been possible through the support of the Ministry for Finance and Financial , and the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses.
Deadline: 30 November 2020
MCST Research Excellence Fund
MCST will be launching a new programme in the coming few weeks called the Research Excellence Programme. The Research Excellence Programme is a national funding programme which supports the early stage development of innovative projects proposed by public entities, higher education institutes and industry players.
An online information session will be held on Monday 12 October between 09:00 and 10:00. If interested, kindly register . Registration shall remain open until noon of Friday 10 October.
Crowdhelix Network!
UM is a member of the Crowdhelix Network and leads the Marine & Maritime Helix! It is now possible to join winning consortia under Horizon 2020 through the Crowdhelix platform. We are pleased to announce that YOU as a University of Malta Academic / Researcher can now use this platform in order to:
- find partners to join you in a consortium for a proposal you wish to lead
- join a consortium applying under a particular call as a partner.
What are you waiting for? Registration is quick and easy, and is . It will also be possible to join thematic, or 'Helix events' with the aim of joining such consortia.
