SOURCE: MALTA ENTERPRISE
1. Introduction
1.1 Scope
Rapid advances in technologies and continuous changes in market demands require businesses to
continually innovate. Businesses that are able to successfully exploit new ideas are likely to achieve
better results in an increasingly competitive global environment.
This incentive seeks to help Small, and Mediumchallenges by stimulating the development and adoption of innovative processes, products and
services.
1.2 Duration of the incentive
This incentive will remain effective until 31st December 2013. Malta Enterprise may review, update
and amend these Incentive Guidelines.
1.3 Competitive Calls
The incentive will be administered through a series of competitive calls. Malta Enterprise will issue
public calls for interested enterprises to submit applications under this incentive. Applications will
be reviewed and eligible applications will be evaluated and ranked. Grants will be awarded to the
top ranking applicants in accordance to the available budgets.
1.4 Legal Basis
Malta Enterprise is enabled to issue and publish official Incentive Guidelines in terms of Article
8(3)(a) of the Malta Enterprise Act, Chapter 463 of the Laws of Malta.
The legal notice entitled Assistance to Small and Medium-Sized Undertakings Regulations S.L.
464.03 (Malta Enterprise Act, Chapter 463 of the Laws of Malta), provides the legal basis of this
incentive.
1.5 Designated Authority
This incentive is administered by Malta Enterprise.ERDF Innovation Actions Grant Scheme (Innovation) Version 4.0
2. Eligibility
2.1 Eligible Sectors
Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are eligible for assistance under this incentive.
2.2 Exclusions
a. Public entities
Public Sector Foundations and similar organisations that carry out a public or regulatory
function which does not involve the carrying out of an economic activity, whether or not such
commercial undertakings carrying out exclusively an economic activity in direct competition
with third parties and in which Government has a controlling interest are eligible under this
scheme.
b. Assistance under this scheme will NOT be provided to undertakings engaged in:
i. the primary production of agricultural products:
Products listed in Annex I of the EC Treaty;
Products falling under CN codes 4502, 4503 and 4504 (cork products);
Products intended to imitate or substitute milk and milk products as referred to in
Council Regulation No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007;
ii. the fisheries and aquaculture sector;
iii. wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (NACE Section G);
iv. tourism activities:
Hotels and restaurants (NACE 55 and 56);
Travel agency activities, tour operator activities, other reservation services and
related activities (NACE 79);
Creative, arts and entertainment activities (NACE 90);
Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities (NACE 91);
Sports activities, and amusement and recreation activities (NACE 93);
v. the coal industry;
vi. the steel industry;
vii. the gaming industry;
viii. shipbuilding;
ix. financial and insurance activities (NACE Section K);
x. the synthetic fibres sector.
c. Applicants, who have previously dropped out of any ERDF aid scheme administered by Malta
Enterprise after their application was approved, must provide a justification of their reason for
doing so; failure to do this may disqualify the application.
d. Assistance under the scheme cannot be granted to undertakings in difficulty in line with
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 800/2008 of 6th August 2008 declaring certain categories of
aid compatible with the common market in application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty
(General Block Exemption Regulation).