Malta Enterprise Research & Development Grant
Malta Enterprise's R&D scheme provides cash grants and tax credits for industrial research and experimental development — directly applicable to AI product development, ML model research, and AI system innovation in Malta.
Dual
Cash Grants + Tax Credits
%
% of Eligible R&D Costs
Sep 30
Deadline 2026
Ltd+
Ltd Companies & Partnerships
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R&D Funding for AI Product Development
The Malta Enterprise R&D scheme supports industrial research and experimental development activities carried out by Malta companies. For AI businesses, this is highly relevant: developing new ML models, building AI-powered SaaS products, conducting data science research on novel problems, or designing new neural network architectures all qualify as eligible R&D activities.
Projects accepted by the EUREKA Network can also be considered under this scheme — opening an additional pathway for Malta AI companies engaged in cross-border European research collaborations. This is particularly relevant for AI teams working with European academic institutions or participating in international AI research consortia.
Crucially, this scheme requires demonstrable R&D activity — not just AI deployment or implementation. The key distinction is novelty: your project should be advancing the state of the art, generating new knowledge, or solving a research question that cannot be resolved with existing tools. Neural AI's consulting team can help you identify the genuine R&D components within your AI project and frame them correctly for Malta Enterprise assessment.
Quick Facts
R&D vs. Implementation
This scheme funds R&D, not deployment. Projects must involve genuine novelty — developing new algorithms, exploring unproven approaches, or generating new knowledge. Pure AI system installation or configuration is better suited to the Business Development Grant.
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What AI Work Qualifies
Industrial research on AI/ML algorithms
Systematic investigation into new or improved ML methodologies, including novel model architectures and training approaches.
Experimental development of AI products
Building AI-powered SaaS products or intelligent systems that advance beyond existing deployed solutions.
New neural network architecture research
Designing and testing novel deep learning architectures for specific domains or problem types.
AI-powered SaaS development
R&D-intensive development of AI platforms where the ML components represent genuine technical innovation.
Data pipeline research for novel applications
Research into data processing, labelling, and preparation methods for novel AI application domains.
Cross-border AI research (EUREKA)
Malta AI companies participating in international EUREKA Network research projects.
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Costs That Can Be Claimed
Eligible R&D Cost Categories
Wage costs of R&D personnel
AI engineers, data scientists, ML researchers employed on the project.
Instruments and equipment
GPU infrastructure, specialised hardware, and computing resources used for R&D.
Contractual research
Fees paid to subcontracted AI companies (e.g. Neural AI) for R&D activities.
Technical knowledge acquisition
Purchase of patents, licences, and know-how directly used in R&D.
Operating expenses
Cloud compute, materials, and direct operating costs attributable to R&D work.
Neural AI as a Subcontractor
Neural AI's ML development fees are eligible under the "contractual research" category. Our work on your R&D project — model development, algorithm research, AI system prototyping — qualifies as eligible experimental development expenditure, directly reducing your net R&D cost.
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Application Process
Contact Malta Enterprise Client Relations
Reach out to Malta Enterprise directly to discuss your R&D project before applying. The client relations team can advise on eligibility and direct you to the correct application route.
Access Application Form via SharePoint
Malta Enterprise provides the R&D application form via a SharePoint link. This is shared with eligible applicants following initial contact.
Prepare Technical and Financial Documentation
Complete the application form with a detailed project description, R&D methodology, eligible cost schedule, and team qualifications. Neural AI supports this phase.
Submit via Client Portal
Final submission is made through the Malta Enterprise Client Portal at clientportal.maltaenterprise.com. Ensure all supporting documents are uploaded before the 30 September 2026 deadline.
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Allow adequate lead time for project scoping and documentation preparation. Neural AI recommends beginning the eligibility assessment and project framing process at least 6–8 weeks before the deadline.
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Neural AI as Your R&D Partner
Neural AI can act as the subcontracted AI development partner in your Malta Enterprise R&D application. Our ML development work qualifies as eligible experimental development expenditure — directly reducing your net project cost while strengthening the technical credibility of your application.
R&D Framing
We identify the genuine R&D components within your AI project and frame them in the language Malta Enterprise assessors expect — novelty, methodology, risk, and expected outcomes.
Technical Documentation
We produce the technical specification for your AI R&D project including research questions, methodology, work packages, and technical deliverables.
Subcontractor Agreement
We structure our engagement as a formal subcontract for R&D activities, ensuring our fees qualify as eligible "contractual research" costs.
Milestone Reporting
We deliver milestone documentation and technical progress reports in Malta Enterprise's required format throughout the project lifecycle.
Related Funding Schemes
Digitalise Your SME
RecommendedNon-repayable grants up to €235,400 with AI top-up — no R&D novelty requirement. Best for AI implementation.
Xjenza Digital Innovation Programme
Up to €225,000 for AI research. Deadline 1 July 2026. AI is Priority Area 1.
Business Development Grant
Up to €300,000 for AI implementation — better fit if your project doesn't involve R&D novelty.
Apply for Malta Enterprise R&D funding before 30 September 2026
Book a free consultation with Neural AI. We assess whether your AI project qualifies as R&D, frame the application, and act as your subcontracted technical partner.
