Introduction and Applications – The Call opens on 1st July 2026 and closes on 19th August 2026
What is the STEAM Engagement Community Fund?
The STEAM Engagement Community Fund is a fund administered by Esplora Interactive Science Centre on behalf of Xjenza Malta.
What is the aim of the Fund?
The aim of the Fund is to:
encourage engagement with science within the community through support for research, education, communication, citizen engagement and citizen science.
inspire the implementation of participatory projects grounded in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM); and
How does it work?
Esplora provides monetary support of up to €12,000 per project to successful applicants from community-based organisations such as schools, local councils, museums and NGOs. Recipients collaborate with a STEAM professional to develop a project that addresses a real need in their community, is grounded in science, and produces outcomes that benefit the people it serves.
How do I apply?
Read the STEAM Engagement Community Fund Guidelines 2026 for full details on eligibility and procedures.
Attend one of our free online Information Sessions on 8th July 2026, available in both English and Maltese . Recordings will be uploaded to Esplora’s website afterwards.
Complete the Budget Plan template and have it ready to upload with your application.
Submit your online application by 19th August 2026.
What happens after I apply?
Results will be announced on 14th October 2026. Successful projects will receive 70% of their awarded funds shortly after. Projects can run for up to 12 months, with a deadline of 28th October 2027 for completion. A Final Report must be submitted within one month of the project ending, after which the remaining 30% of funds will be disbursed.
FAQs
For the purpose of the STEAM Engagement Community Fund, the STEAM professional collaborating with the community-based organisation on a candidate project does not need to be an academic but needs to be qualified to undertake that project. This means that the professional needs to have the qualifications and/or experience to carry out that STEAM project with the community. The applicant will need to submit a CV or cover letter from the STEAM professional that demonstrates what makes him/her qualified to carry out the STEAM project.
Important: Even if the STEAM professional is specialised in the Arts, the projects must have a strong scientific basis.
Yes, this is possible if the STEAM professional chosen is qualified to undertake the research. This will need to be explained in the application form. If personnel costs are claimed in this regard, a timesheet will need to be filled in by the STEAM professional.
Yes, the STEAM professional can be remunerated via project funds. The STEAM professional is not a consultant however, and should not be involved in the project as the representative of a consultancy firm. The STEAM professional needs to be involved from inception and throughout the implementation of the project. The Applicant and the STEAM professional will need to work hand in hand with the members of the targeted community. A Letter of Commitment in this regard will be required at the application stage. Definitions of both terms may be referred to in the Guidelines.
If the STEAM professional is an employee with the applicant, timesheets will need to be presented with the final report. If the STEAM professional is not employed with the applicant, they must have a VAT number and can be VAT exempt. If VAT exempt, a fiscal receipt must be submitted with the final report. For more information on VAT, you can visit the official website for the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue by clicking here.
For the purpose of this Fund, one quotation is enough for the major services/purchases foreseen, provided that the beneficiary complies with the procurement rules and regulations to which it is subject.
Yes, the project can be finalised before the one-year timeframe suggested in the STEAM Engagement Community Fund Guidelines. Kindly inform Esplora if this is the case on funds.esplora@gov.mt. You will still need to submit a Final Report within one month after completion of the project.
The organisation will receive 70% of the funds upfront. The remaining 30% will need to be temporarily financed by the organisation until the final 30% of the fund is disbursed after the Project Report is submitted and evaluated. Only expenses supported by receipts/invoices/timesheets/proof of payment will be reimbursed. Any foreseen expenditure that is ultimately not incurred will be deducted from the final payment (30%) of the grant.
Still have questions?
If after reading the Guidelines and attending an information session you still have questions, our team is happy to help: funds.esplora@gov.mt
