Maritime Seed Fund Award 2019 - Second Call

The Maritime Seed Award (MarSA) is a joint initiative between the Malta Marittima Agency (MMA) and the University of Malta supported by the TAKEOFF Business Incubator, Knowledge Transfer Office and the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation (CEBI) at the University of Malta.

The fifth call of this programme aims to help move promising ideas from the Maritime Field forward toward commercialization. To date, fifteen projects have received funding through prior programmes. Award funding totalling to €40,000 will help to bring the innovative early-stage idea/technology from lab to life and provides support to researchers and entrepreneurs when they need it most to increase the likelihood of success.

The Maritime Seed Award will fund two types of initiatives: University of Malta academic staff may apply for ‘proof of concept’ funds which will enable a step-change in taking an innovation developed through research at the University closer to being commercialised; whereas entrepreneurs from within or outside the University may apply for ‘seed’ funds which will enable a step-change in taking their independent technology or knowledge-based start-up closer to the first customer or investment.

Potential applicants for the Seed Fund must attend the scheduled workshop session hosted by TAKEOFF, which will provide skills and tools for creating a competitive proposal. The final application form will only be accepted if applicants or their representatives register and attend the TAKEOFF workshop. This will only be waived in extenuating circumstances. All potential applicants for the Proof of Concept Fund must attend the workshop being organised by the Knowledge Transfer Office. If unable to attend, the potential applicant must set up another meeting directly with the Knowledge Transfer Office. Both workshops will be held at Dar Ġużeppi Żahra, University of Malta (point 28 on the campus map). The PoC workshop will be held in the Board Room on Level 1 whilst the SF workshop will be held in the Events room on Level 2. To register for the event, please click here.

Timeline & Deadlines

  • Call for applications
  • Friday 4th October 2019
  • Workshop for Applicants
  • PoC: Monday 14th October 2019
    SF: Tuesday 15th October 2019
  • Written Applications Submission Deadline
  • Tuesday 22nd October 2019 at noon
  • Initial Adjudication
  • Thursday 7th November 2019
  • Announcement of Shortlisted Applicants
  • Thursday 7th - Friday 8th November 2019
  • Coaching of Shortlisted Applicants (if required)
  • 11th - 20th November 2019
  • Live Pitches to Judges
  • Thursday 21st November 2019
  • Announcement to Applicants
  • Thursday 21st - Friday 22nd November 2019
  • Signing of Grant Agreement & Disbursement of Funds
  • by Monday 16th December 2019
  • Progress Report
  • 16th April 2020
    16th August 2020
  • Deadline for spending funds
  • 16th December 2020
  • Final Expenditure Report
  • 21st December 2020

Material downloads

  • Application Guidelines
  • Application Form
  • State Aid Declaration Form
  • State Aid Declaration Form - fisheries and aquaculture
  • Cash Flow Template
  • Scorecard - written applications
  • Scorecard - pitch
  • Beneficiary Agreement - PoC
  • Grant Agreement - SF
  • Progress Report Template

Contact Details

Seed Funds

  • TAKEOFF Manager - Joseph Bartolo
  • joseph.a.bartolo@um.edu.mt

Proof of Concept Funds

  • Knowledge Transfer Office
  • knowledgetransfer@um.edu.mt

Management Committee

Knowledge Transfer Office
Dar Ġużeppi Żahra
University of Malta
Msida MSD 2080
Malta

 

Events Location

TAKEOFF Business Incubator
Dar Ġużeppi Żahra
University of Malta
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
(Point 28 on the campus map)