Xjenza Malta: Where Science Meets Progress On Our Islands

By bringing everything under one roof, Xjenza Malta is set to revolutionise the way we handle Research, Innovation, Policy Development, Funding Programmes and Space-related matters.

This change didn’t happen overnight. When the new Chief Executive took the reins at MCST eighteen months ago, it became clear that the existing setup just wasn’t cutting it. Despite the great work done so far, the loose structure was holding back future ambitions.

Now, with its new status as a fully-fledged Government Agency, Xjenza Malta can sign contracts, manage properties and operate with a newfound freedom that will benefit Malta’s R&I sectors and enhance Esplora’s offerings.

In preparation for these expanded responsibilities, Xjenza Malta ramped up its administrative and technical teams. Their hard work paid off when the National Audit Office awarded them the ‘Best Practice in Good Governance Award’, recognising their accountability and transparency. This award recognises the agency’s efforts and sets a positive tone for the future.

Xjenza Malta is now the national arm for research and space policy, boasting a clear mandate to expand its portfolio and funding. Their FUSION research funding programmes are growing, with budgets increasing from €3.5 million in 2021 to a projected €8.2 million by 2027. They’ve also established new international partnerships, notably with the UAE and Spain, and have more collaborations in the pipeline, including a mobility scheme with Italy’s Centro Nazionale della Ricerca (CNR). Plus, funding for the Sino-Malta R&I Programme and the joint funding programme with the Turkish Research Council has doubled, while participation in the Joint Programming Initiative on Oceans has tripled.

Horizon Europe, the EU’s Framework Programme for R&I, offers countless opportunities, and Xjenza Malta is helping Maltese entities participate and succeed. They’re coordinating Malta’s involvement in three major co-fund partnerships: Transforming Healthcare Systems Partnership (THCS), Clean Energy Technologies Partnership (CETP), and Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP). And they’re eager to boost Malta’s participation in new areas like brain health and resilient cultural heritage.

The new legal mandate also strengthens Xjenza Malta’s role in Space policy. As the official liaison with the European Space Agency (ESA), they’ve secured Malta’s membership in the Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS) with an annual €1.5 million investment for competitive funding calls. They’re also gearing up for a public consultation on a new legal framework for Space activities.

These achievements didn’t happen in isolation. Xjenza Malta is deeply connected with the public through STEM education efforts in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Esplora, welcoming over 200,000 visitors annually, is at the heart of this outreach, making science accessible and fun for all ages. With Xjenza Malta now overseeing Esplora, the possibilities for its future are endless.

The past 18 months have been a whirlwind of activity and progress. With new resources and a solid foundation, Xjenza Malta is set to lead Malta into a promising future of innovation and exploration. They’re set to increase investment in Esplora, ensuring it continues to inspire and educate. The future looks incredibly promising for Malta’s scientific landscape, all under the banner of Xjenza Malta.

Welcome to the future of science in Malta. Welcome to Xjenza Malta.

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