The Exploratory Award Scheme, administered by Malta Enterprise provides assistance in the form of a cash grant to help SMEs develop project proposals for submission to the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP).

FP7 and CIP Programmes aim at strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs through networking and relationship-building with international partners, access to centres of excellence, knowledge transfer as well as collaborative research and development and innovation projects.

The scheme has three main objectives: to increase the participation of businesses in EU funded projects; to increase the R&D and innovation linkages between businesses; and to encourage firms to collaborate with other research performers within the EU and with third country partners.

Promoters of approved projects may benefit from a cash grant of up to €10,000. The first type of eligible costs include up to 60 per cent of the scientific and administrative personnel directly employed by the SME and assigned wholly or partially in developing the required proposal.

In addition, up to 60 per cent of costs pertaining to the procurement of technical consultancy services from external experts directly related to the development of the project proposal are granted on the strength of the scheme but the grant value cannot exceed €5,000. Travel and per diem costs are also covered under the scheme with up to 60 per cent of costs for the former and up to three days for each approved trip for the latter. The maximum total grant in relation to travel costs and per diem is capped at €2,000 per supported project.

The Exploratory Award Scheme will run until December 31, 2013.

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