Launch of the Commercialisation Voucher Programme

The Malta
Council for Science and Technology is pleased to announce the launch of the
Commercialisation Voucher Programme, financed through National funds.

The
Commercialisation Vouchers will support researchers, micros and SMEs to seek
the commercial potential of their research or to develop their competitiveness
through collaboration with R&D institutions. This will promote
opportunities for knowledge transfer between industry and academia such that
research and innovative solutions aim to have market applicability.

The main
aim of these Vouchers is to determine the commercial potential of proposed
innovative solutions, prior to embarking on research and development. As a
result, the inventor benefits from information about the possibility of
protecting the idea through intellectual property, as well as gaining awareness
on market potential and economic wealth generated for society at large.

As from
the 30th October 2013, the Council will be accepting proposals for
Commercialisation Vouchers, through which one of the following activities would
be supported:

–    IP Check Patent check and validation and scientific opinion.
Basic: 1 week @ €1,000 and In-Depth: 3 weeks @ €4,000

–    Market Research Studies include desktop market research,
specialised research data; primary source data including transcripts and
analysis with potential technology buyers – 8 weeks @ €3,500

–    Product Development Costing Studies on different production
options including full costing of typical expenses, such as, material,
resources, plant and equipment and logistics [ In some cases, costing of an
installed and operational prototype may be considered] – 10 weeks @ €3,500

–    Economic Impact Studies on the economic impact key performance
indicators including investment potential, revenue, employment and similar – 8
weeks @ €3,500

–    Risk Profile Assessment of the different types and levels of
risks involved if the technology had to be commercialized – 6 weeks @ €2,500

–    Initial Patent Application Financing of the Initial Patent
Application – 10 weeks @ €15,000

–    Business Plan Full, investor-ready plans integrating the studies
above including investor exit option. – 10 weeks @ €5,000

–    Investors' Meetings Preparation and delivery of presentations at
international fairs or directly to potential investor or technology purchaser –
6 weeks @ €4,000

The
Council will be launching the Commercialisation Voucher Programme on Wednesday,
30th October 2013 at 10:00am, at Villa Bighi Kalkara. An Information Session
will follow after the official launch.

An additional
Information Session is being organised on Thursday, 7th November 2013 at
10:30am at Villa Bighi, Kalkara.

This is
the first of a series of call for Commercialisation Vouchers and will be
granted on a ‘first accepted first served' basis. Further calls will be issued
and announced accordingly.

The
Application must be dated, signed and initialised (stamped or signed) on each
page by the legal representative.

Application
Forms need to be sent electronically to with
"Commercialisation Vouchers Application Submission" as a subject accordingly by
the stipulated deadlines.

It
should be noted that emails larger than 6MB shall be automatically rejected by
the system.

All
received applications shall be acknowledged by email.

Further information:

 http://www.mcst.gov.mt/node/626