Xjenza Malta Digital Innovation Programme 2026
Xjenza Malta's third call for the Digital Innovation Programme is open. Up to €225,000 for research on AI, digital trust, and emerging technologies. Artificial Intelligence is Priority Area 1.
€225,000
Maximum Grant
#1
AI is Priority Area 1
1 Jul
Application Deadline 2026
MT
Maltese Entities
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About the Digital Innovation Programme
The Digital Innovation Programme (formerly the Digital Technologies Programme) is a national R&D funding programme administered by Xjenza Malta — the Malta Council for Science and Technology. This is its third call for applications, designed to support research that drives safer, more trustworthy development and adoption of digital technologies across Maltese industry, academia, and the public sector.
The base grant is up to €200,000, with an additional €25,000 top-up available for projects that enrol in the TARF/MDIA Regulatory Sandbox — making the maximum available award €225,000. Artificial Intelligence is Priority Area 1 with seven explicitly listed sub-areas, making this programme ideal for companies developing proprietary AI products, conducting AI research, or building AI systems that require academic or public sector collaboration. Projects may run for up to 24 months.
Unlike deployment-focused schemes, this programme requires demonstrable research novelty — applicants should be advancing the state of the art, not simply implementing existing AI tools. Neural AI can act as the technical subcontractor and AI consulting partner in your consortium, providing the engineering expertise needed to meet Xjenza's eligibility criteria for industrial research and experimental development.
Quick Facts
Information Session
Xjenza is hosting an information session on Tuesday 12 May 2026 at 13:00 (Microsoft Teams). Register via the Xjenza Malta website. Applications close 1 July 2026.
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AI is Priority Area 1
Artificial Intelligence is the lead priority of the Digital Innovation Programme 2026. Seven sub-areas are explicitly listed as fundable, covering the full spectrum of modern AI — from generative and agentic systems through to responsible AI and autonomous vehicles. If your AI project falls within any of these categories, this programme was designed for you.
Priority Area 4
AI for Sustainability
AI applications supporting ESG goals, sustainable operations, and environmental impact reduction are eligible under Technology for Peace, Sustainability and ESG.
Priority Area 6
EU AI Act Compliance
Research into Regulatory Compliance — including compliance with the EU AI Act and Cyber Resilience Act — is explicitly funded under Priority Area 6.
Priority Area 7
Maltese Language AI Models
Cultural and Linguistic Technologies — including AI models for the Maltese language and Cultural Heritage digitisation — are funded under Priority Area 7.
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All Seven Priority Areas
Artificial Intelligence Priority Area 1
Generative AI · Agentic AI · Multimodal AI · Explainable AI · Intelligent and Safe Human Environments · Autonomous Vehicles · Responsible and Ethical AI
Digital Trust
Digital Identity · Cybersecurity · Cyber Resilience · Quantum Communication
Knowledge and Data Representation
Data Analytics · Knowledge Graphs
Technology for Peace, Sustainability and ESG
Sustainable Cloud · AI for Sustainability · Environmental Technologies
Other Emerging Technologies
Quantum Computers · Digital Twins · Personalised Medicine
Regulatory Compliance
EU AI Act · Cyber Security Act · Cyber Resilience Act
Cultural & Linguistic Technologies
AI for the Maltese Language · Cultural Heritage Digitisation
Technology Development Programme (TDP) 2025 — Now Closed
The Technology Development Programme (TDP) 2025 — the previous Xjenza R&D programme offering up to €500,000 per project for TRL 4–7 progression — closed for applications in January 2026. We monitor all Xjenza Malta calls. to be notified when the next TDP opens.
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Neural AI Supports Your Xjenza Application
Xjenza applications require detailed research plans, technical justifications, and consortium agreements. Neural AI can act as the technical subcontractor and co-applicant in your consortium, providing the ML engineering expertise that strengthens your application. We structure AI development projects to meet Xjenza eligibility criteria for industrial research and experimental development.
Eligibility & Fit Assessment
We review your project idea against Xjenza criteria and identify the strongest priority area alignment.
Consortium Structuring
We identify and engage academic or public sector partners required for consortium-based applications.
Technical Research Plan
We draft the technical sections — research methodology, novelty statement, work packages, and Gantt chart.
Application Submission
We support final submission with budget schedules, eligible cost calculations, and compliance checks.
Project Delivery & Reporting
We deliver the AI development work and prepare milestone reports and financial claim documentation.
Xjenza Malta Information Session — 12 May 2026
Xjenza is hosting an information session on Tuesday 12 May 2026 at 13:00 via Microsoft Teams. Register at the Xjenza Malta website to attend. Applications close 1 July 2026.
Related Funding Schemes
Digitalise Your SME
RecommendedNon-repayable grants up to €235,400 with AI top-up — no R&D novelty required. Recommended for most Malta SMEs.
Malta Enterprise R&D
Cash grants and tax credits for AI industrial research and experimental development.
Business Development Grant
Up to €300,000 for digital transformation and AI implementation projects.
Ready to apply for the Digital Innovation Programme?
Applications close 1 July 2026. Book a free eligibility consultation with Neural AI to assess your project fit and start structuring your application.
