During a press conference, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti launched the Technology Extension Support Programme (TESP)scheme. This scheme forms part of FUSION, the National Funding Programme for Research and innovation administered by the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST).
The TESP scheme aims to incentivise industry to seek technical support from Higher Education Institutes to ensure incremental product or process improvement. This scheme is designed to incorporate R&I at all stages of product or process development and support collaborations between public and private entities.
Maltese private entities can benefit up to €40,000 per project over 15 months. Through this scheme, another Budget 2023 measure is being implemented, that of increasing investment in research and innovation with the participation of the private sector with innovative projects in various fields.
Parliamentary Secretary Azzopardi Tanti stated that this scheme will help to strengthen the collaboration between the private sector and academics. “This is another budgetary measure that the government is fulfilling. It is a clear affirmation that the government firmly believes in research and innovation which will lead to economic growth,” stated the Parliamentary Secretary.
Addressing the press conference, MCST Chairman Dr Tonio Portughese said that TESP aims to foster partnerships between private entities and higher education institutions. He added that through these effective collaborations, such as those being encouraged in TESP, higher educational institutions can further catalyse a knowledge-based economy, which contributes to a resilient society.
More information about the programme can be obtained at Technology Extension Support Programme – MCST