MINISTRY FOR EQUALITY, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Their core work

Malta's government ministry responsible for research and innovation policy, gender equality, and science funding at the national level. Within H2020, MFER participates in coordination and support actions that shape national research agendas, align Malta with European Research Area priorities, and channel EU funding instruments toward Maltese researchers and SMEs. Their role is that of a national policy body — setting frameworks, co-funding research through ERA-NET schemes, and facilitating Malta's integration into pan-European research networks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

MFER's early H2020 involvement (2016-2018) centered on traditional ERA coordination — maritime research networks (MarTERA), gender equality policy (GENDERACTION), and building Malta's alignment with European Research Area roadmaps. From 2021 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward innovation ecosystem support: quantum technology cofunding through QuantERA II, SME acceleration best practices via GO-SME, and researcher mobility through EURAXESS. This evolution mirrors a broader shift from basic ERA compliance toward actively shaping Malta's positioning in high-tech European research funding.

MFER is moving from passive ERA participation toward actively co-funding frontier research (quantum) and building national SME innovation pipelines — signaling Malta's ambition to punch above its weight in strategic technology areas.

How they like to work

MFER exclusively joins projects as a participant or third party — never as coordinator — which is typical for a small national ministry engaging in large pan-European policy networks. Their 103 unique consortium partners across 41 countries reflect the broad, multi-country nature of ERA-NET and CSA projects rather than deep bilateral relationships. Working with MFER means gaining access to Malta's national research funding channels and policy-level endorsement, not technical execution capacity.

Despite Malta's small size, MFER has connected with 103 partners across 41 countries — nearly all EU and associated states — through large ERA-NET and CSA consortia. This breadth reflects their role as a national node in pan-European research coordination networks rather than a selective partnership strategy.

What sets them apart

As Malta's research ministry, MFER is the gateway to national co-funding and policy alignment for any consortium seeking Maltese participation. Their dual mandate covering both equality and innovation means they can add value on gender mainstreaming requirements — increasingly important in Horizon Europe proposals. For consortium builders, MFER brings geographic diversity (small island state representation), national funding authority, and policy-level commitment that strengthens governance sections of proposals.

Highlights from their portfolio

• QuantERA II
  Their largest-funded project (EUR 11,962) and most forward-looking — positions Malta as a co-funder in the European quantum technology landscape through 2026.
• GENDERACTION
  Their longest-running project (2017-2021) and a flagship ERA gender equality initiative spanning multiple EU member states, directly tied to MFER's equality mandate.
• GO-SME
  Focused specifically on improving national SME support schemes and EIC Accelerator pipelines — signals MFER's growing role in Malta's innovation ecosystem.