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Malta has secured its first-ever Horizon Europe European Research Council (ERC) Grant, awarded to Dr. Huw Groucutt, a lecturer in Mediterranean prehistory at the Department of Classics and Archaeology within the Faculty of Arts, at the University of Malta.
With nearly €2 million in funding under the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant scheme, the TerraForm project will embark on a groundbreaking study into the origins, evolution, and impacts of agricultural terracing in Malta.
Terracing, a farming technique that uses stone walls to retain soil on sloping land, has long been hailed as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. It mitigates soil erosion and prevents flooding. As one of the most intensively terraced landscapes globally, Malta presents an extraordinary opportunity to investigate the development and significance of this practice. While the origins of Maltese terraces…
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The EU’s Regional Flagship Projects Call (EMFAF-2025-PIA-FLAGSHIP), focuses on fostering Smart Specialization and Innovation in the sustainable blue economy (Topic 1).
The 3Sea4All Project proposal aims to foster regional cooperation across three European maritime basins—the Atlantic, West Mediterranean, and Black Sea—by uniting key stakeholders from the quadruple and quintuple helix (research, industry, public institutions, civil society, and active citizens).
Key Objectives of the project:
- Governance: Identify innovative policies and develop financial support mechanisms for enterprises.
- Academia: Launch joint R&D activities, promote training programs,…
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The Youth4Ocean Forum is inviting young leaders to apply to become EU Young Ocean Advocates and help champion Blue Citizenship at the UN Ocean Conference 2025! Selected advocates will support collective efforts to bring the concept of Blue Citizenship—linking ocean literacy with active participation in democracy—to a global stage. Applications are open until November 30, 2024.
What is Blue Citizenship?
Blue Citizenship connects the idea of ocean literacy with civic responsibility, encouraging individuals and communities to participate in protecting the ocean just as they would in supporting democracy. This initiative emphasizes that everyone has a role in the health and sustainability of the ocean. By enhancing understanding of ocean policies and governance, Blue Citizenship empowers people to advocate for policies that ensure marine conservation and sustainable use…
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Carmen Frendo, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Business, Management & Commerce, MCAST was invited to showcase the UNIMED project at the MED-WET final project event on 28 October 2024. The event was aimed at the exploration of sustainable water management solutions for farming communities in the Mediterranean region.
MED-WET is an initiative which aims at providing efficient low-cost and nature-based technologies and practices to improve the irrigation efficiency of small farmers in the Mediterranean region. The project involves partners from Malta, Germany, Egypt, Morocco and Portugal. MED-WET is 100% funded by Xjenza Malta through the PRIMA Programme, which is supported by the European Union.
The aim of the UNIMED project is to develop a unified, indicator-based, framework to better assess, adapt and ultimately cope with agricultural droughts under Mediterranean climate change conditions.…
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The demand for sustainable practices in the food and pharmaceutical industries has led to innovative research projects transforming waste into valuable products. One such byproduct, olive pomace, offers significant environmental challenges. Through advanced scientific processes, researchers have found ways to extract valuable bioactive compounds and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) from olive pomace, transforming waste into ingredients with wide-ranging applications.
Introduction to Olive Pomace and the Need for Sustainability
Olive oil production is a booming industry, especially around the Mediterranean (Mazzotti, 2004). Olive oil is a staple in many diets and is valued for its health benefits, particularly for heart health (Foscolou et al., 2018). However, the production process leaves behind substantial waste. For every Liter of olive…
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The results from the Open Consultation on the priorities of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for the European Partnership for BrainHealth are in!
Between July 17 and August 21, more than 550 respondents contributed to the development of a comprehensive roadmap aimed at promoting and preserving brain health while reducing the burden for people living with brain disorders across Europe.
Key research priorities and innovation areas of the SRIA include:
1. Promoting Brain Health and Preventing Disorders to identify brain health determinants and promote early prevention strategies across the lifespan,
2. Improving Early Detection, Treatment and Care for timely detection of brain disorders and innovative, personalised, therapeutic strategies – including digital and AI-powered tools,
3. Enhancing Care and Support to accelerate the translation of research into clinical practice, enable patient engagement in research and foster access to…
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The PRIMA Programme, an EU partnership under Horizon Europe, has launched an online survey to gather input from stakeholders across the Mediterranean to help define new Research and Innovation (R&I) priorities for a potential Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) under the renewed PRIMA Partnership. This input will shape PRIMA’s future R&I agenda and contribute to the region’s sustainable development efforts.
Stakeholders from academia, NGOs, the private sector, and civil society are encouraged to participate in the online survey, which is available from September to November 2024. The survey aims to capture diverse insights on key issues such as water management, sustainable farming, and the agri-food value chain, as well as potential new focus areas, including climate change, renewable energy, health, and marine ecosystems.
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The 8th issue of the EU Copernicus Ocean State Report (OSR 8) is now available online, published alongside an interactive Summary detailing key aspects of the report for policymakers, members of the blue economy and the general public. This year’s report reveals — among many findings — an ocean facing record-breaking extreme events, including deep and intense marine heatwaves, unexpected phytoplankton blooms, as well as increased ocean warming.
The OSR 8 is a flagship report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the current state, ongoing trends and natural variations of the ocean. It is published each year by the Copernicus Marine Service and implemented by Mercator Ocean International. Beyond highlighting major results, the Summary showcases a range…
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The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) is offering researchers a unique opportunity to access ship time aboard their cutting-edge research vessel, the R/V Gaia Blu. Designed for a broad range of marine studies, from oceanographic surveys to environmental monitoring, this vessel offers an ideal platform to carry out innovative projects that contribute to the understanding of the marine environment in the Mediterranean region.
This opportunity goes beyond offering ship time; researchers can propose a variety of projects, including research cruises, the chance to broaden data collection during pre-scheduled cruises, and even educational, training, or outreach-focused cruises. The vessel can also support long-term monitoring efforts to build valuable time-series data or assist in the maintenance of marine…
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Xjenza Malta participated in a series of pivotal events organised by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) on October 2nd and 3rd, 2024, in Cairo. Representing Malta as government stakeholders and the national focal point for the UfM Regional Platform in Research and Innovation, George Bugeja (Deputy Director), and Felipe Nalin Abdala (Executive in Policy and Strategy) of the Internationalization Unit, were actively engaged in discussions that are shaping the future of science diplomacy, research, and innovation in the Mediterranean.
The High-Level Meeting on Science Diplomacy, held on October 2, 2024, was a collaborative effort between the UfM, the League of Arab States (LAS), and the European Commission. This event gathered diplomats, scientists, and policymakers to explore how science, technology, and innovation can drive diplomatic dialogue and cooperation across the Mediterranean. Key topics included the link…
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The SmartGaze project, funded by Xjenza Malta, formerly the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) under the Smart Cities programme, has made significant strides in developing a cutting-edge system to assist individuals with mobility impairments. The project team recently presented its findings at two prestigious conferences: the 26th International conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCII 2024) and the European Conference on Eye Movements (ECEM 2024). At both events, poster presentations were delivered, outlining the innovative approach the team is taking to enable more natural and accessible control of smart devices through eye movements.
The primary goal of SmartGaze is to develop a system that allows users to control smart home devices without the need for a computer interface which typically requires users to select icons to initiate specific commands. Instead, the proposed solution allows users to interact with their environment by simply looking at a…
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Composite materials are made up of two or more distinct constituent materials encapsulated together that when combined develop a new material capable to take advantage of the individual material properties of the constituent phases. Concrete which is heavily used in buildings is a composite material in itself, made up of aggregate bonded together with cement. The relatively low tensile strength and ductility of concrete can be enhanced further by the inclusion of steel reinforcements leading to a fibrous reinforced composite material. Various fibrous reinforced composites have been developed in the past century. Primarily the use of glass fibres embedded in a polymeric matrix better known as fibre glass has found their use in various industries such as the marine industry. Composite materials have the potential to replace steel in the automotive industry by reducing the total weight of a vehicle by around 25%. The use of composite materials in the aerospace industry has…
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The JPI Oceans initiative, Science for Good Environmental Status (S4GES), has completed the first phase of its work and published a pivotal paper introducing a novel approach to monitoring and evaluating the health of our seas. This research, supported by institutional funding through the JPI Oceans framework, brought together 11 research-performing and funding organisations. Professor Aldo Drago, lead expert appointed by Xjenza Malta and affiliated with the Oceanography Section at the Institute of Engineering and Transport, Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST), plays a key role in this initiative and made significant contributions as a co-author of the paper.
While remaining on the workbench to further elaborate the new concepts, the time is ripe to start testing an evolution of the current approach adopted by the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), proposing monitoring strategies that…
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UNIMED organised its fourth stakeholder workshop at the International Agricultural Research and Training Centre (UTAEM) in Menemen, Turkey on 4 April 2024. Twenty experts from the agricultural sector in Turkey participated in the workshop, which was divided in two parts.
In the first part of the workshop the participants were asked to assign weighting coefficients to the four indices which make up the Survivability-of-Droughts Index: perception, adaptability, vulnerability, and recoverability. Following on this, the participants were invited to rank the indicators which will be used to calculate each of the underlying indices. The results of this exercise revealed that based on expert opinion, the indicators are fit-for-purpose and there are no dominant indicators.
In the second part of the workshop, participants were divided into two groups and asked to score the…
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The RoOFPEVs project, spearheaded by The Foundation for Innovation and Research – Malta (FiR.mt), is at the forefront of addressing critical challenges in Malta’s journey towards a sustainable energy transition. Supported by Xjenza Malta under the Research Excellence Programme, this project, titled "Robust Optimisation Framework for PVs and EVs Integration at Low Voltage Network," targets key technical and operational barriers to integrating renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, and electric vehicles (EVs) into Malta’s low voltage electrical grid. This innovative approach, supported by a robust optimisation framework, not only seeks to advance renewable energy deployment but also contributes to achieving Malta’s broader clean energy objectives and those of the European Union (EU).
Meeting Malta's Clean Energy Targets
Malta has set ambitious…
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Power management with high renewable share is no mean feat! With Malta now having an appreciable renewable energy mix within its power system framework, decisions should be made, on how to efficiently utilize the available resources during emergency events.
Photovoltaics as rooftop based Distributed Energy Resources (DER) when procured by a customer/ consumer, it is mostly done keeping in mind, that the customer is contributing to reducing carbon emissions as well as trimming utility bills. Now, with several active schemes initiated by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services, further renewable energy integration is possible.
However, extreme heat events, which can potentially deter continuous grid operation, can also have an impact on the PVs. Most PVs, with no energy storage back-up solution, are generally…
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Xjenza Malta, the national agency for Research, Innovation, and Space, and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Italy’s foremost public research institution, have taken a pioneering step in solidifying their commitment to advancing scientific research and innovation. With the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), this collaboration not only deepens the historical ties between Malta and Italy but also underscores a shared vision to tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges facing the Mediterranean and Europe at large.
This strategic partnership amplifies Malta’s role as a rising hub for research and development within the Mediterranean, positioning Xjenza Malta as a key player in international innovation diplomacy. As Malta’s National Research, Innovation, and Space funding agency, Xjenza Malta stands at the forefront of scientific policy-making, bridging the gap between national…
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Do you know a young leader making an extraordinary impact in their community or industry? The search is on for outstanding individuals under 40 who exemplify excellence in their fields and inspire others to achieve greatness. The Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) awards celebrate those who are driving positive change and making a difference. If you or someone you know embodies these qualities, now is the time to submit a nomination. Don’t miss the chance to recognize the future leaders shaping our world—nominate today!
These are the 10 categories for which you can nominate someone:
- Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment
- Business, Economic, and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment
- Environmental Leadership
- Contribution to World Peace and/or Human Rights
- Cultural Achievement
- Humanitarian and/or Voluntary Leadership
- Personal…
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The public vote for the REGIOSTARS 2024 is open 2 September – 9 October 12:00 CET. The most voted project among all finalists will receive the Public Choice Award. The winner is announced in the REGIOSTARS ceremony.
Each voter can vote only once. Therefore, carefully read the projects descriptions of all finalists before voting. To vote, just click “Vote for this project” and confirm your selection.
The 25 finalists have been selected by REGIOSTARS jury, who carefully evaluated a record number of applications, 262 in total. Find the finalist projects of each category below.
REGIOSTARS has become Europe’s label of excellence for EU-funded projects that demonstrate the impact and inclusiveness of regional development, since its inception in 2008. By putting forward solutions to common challenges and tapping into the…
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The University of Malta’s Boundaries of the Brain laboratory is developing a toolbox that can help study spaceflight’s impact on the brain.
Travelling to space is possibly the greatest challenge we have overcome. The stars were once a means of navigation, not something to navigate to. Before that, we occasionally sacrificed each other to them. When our early hominin ancestors looked to the sky, it was because giant birds may have snatched them from the ground and eaten them – a rapid ascent wasn’t high on their list of priorities. Our minds’ ambition evolved from “not lining a comically large bird’s nest” to “spaceflight”. Our physical brains, however, are struggling to keep up. We’ve evolved according to the demands of a very specific atmosphere and an even more consistent gravity. Changes to either impact our brains’ health, in ways that are still not fully understood.
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