Maritime Seed Awards 2020

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 sixth 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 €100,000 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 online workshop session hosted by TAKEOFF, while Proof of Concept Fund applicants must attend the workshop being organised by the Knowledge Transfer Office. The workshops will provide an overview for creating a competitive proposal. The final application form will only be accepted if applicants or their representatives register and attend their respective workshops. This will only be waived in extenuating circumstances. Should applicants be unable to attend either workshop, alternative meetings must be held directly with the Knowledge Transfer Office for POC or TAKEOFF for SF. Both workshops will be held online and the workshop link will only be sent to those who register beforehand. To register for the event, please click here

Timeline & Deadlines

  • Call for applications
  • Wednesday 2nd September 2020
  • Proof of Concept Workshop
  • Thursday 10th September 2020 at 10:00
  • Seed Fund Workshop
  • Monday 14th September 2020 at 14:00
  • Written applications submissions deadline
  • Wednesday 30th September 2020 at 12:00 noon
  • Announcement to shortlisted applicants
  • Week of 26th October 2020
  • Coaching of shortlisted applicants
  • 26th October – 9th November 2020
  • Live pitches to judges
  • 10th November and 11th November 2020
  • Announcement to applicants
  • Week of 16th November 2020
  • Signing of Grant Agreement & Disbursement of Funds
  • By December 2020
  • Progress Reports
  • Friday 23rd April 2021
    Friday 27th August 2021
  • Deadline for dbusbursement of funds
  • Friday 31st December 2021
  • Final expenditure report
  • Friday 7th January 2022

Material downloads

  • Guidelines
  • Application Form
  • Cashflow forecast template
  • State Aid Declaration Form
  • State Aid Declaration Form - fisheries and aquaculture
  • Judging Scorecard - Written Application
  • Judging Scorecard - Pitch
  • Beneficiary Agreement - Seed Fund
  • Beneficiary Agreement - Proof of Concept
  • 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

  • maritimeseedaward@um.edu.mt

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)