The National STEM Community Fund 2023 Introduction and Applications – Call now closed

National STEM Community Fund

The National STEM Community Fund is an initiative of the STEM Engagement Working Group chaired by Esplora Interactive Science Centre on behalf of the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST).

What is the aim of the Fund?

1. To inspire and enable the implementation of participatory projects that are based on the theoretical and practical aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
2. To celebrate the relevance of science within the community through support for research, education, communication, citizen engagement and citizen science, via the development of such participatory-led projects.

How is this carried out?

Through the granting of monetary support (max. 8,000 euros per project and a total of 24,000 euros in 2023), members from a diverse number of institutions from the community such as schools, local councils and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), get to collaborate with an identified researcher/STEM professional to develop a community-based project. The projects are expected to address the needs of the identified community, be oriented within a STEM field, and can thereafter be availed of by the specific community in an effective and sustainable manner.

Where to start? 

1. The National STEM Community Fund 2023 Guidelines can be found here. All the necessary information indicating eligibility criteria and related procedures are located in the Guidelines.
2. Interested applicants were encouraged to submit their online applications by Friday 24th March 2023.

3. A Budget Template in pdf format was also required to be uploaded along with the application form, as per Guidelines. The Budget Template could be accessed and downloaded from here. Note: Only the first tab in the excel sheet titled ‘NSCF Budget Plan’ needs to be filled in at application stage.

The winning projects will receive 70% of the funds upon announcement of awardees. A Final Report needs to be submitted at the end of the project, and its template can be downloaded here. The report will be evaluated and will help to have your project assessed as part of the decision to release the final 30% of the funding. It will also provide legacy material for others to appreciate and learn from your project.

Questions?

If you have any Fund-related queries please go ahead and address them to our team: stemengagement.esplora@esplora.org.mt. We will gladly attend to your questions!

National STEM Community Fund – FAQs

1. For the purpose of this Fund, how would you define a researcher/STEM professional?

For the purpose of the National STEM Community Fund, the researcher/STEM professional collaborating with the community-based organisation does not need to be an academic but they need to be qualified to undertake the research. This means that they need to have the qualifications and/or experience to carry out scientific research.

2. Can the STEM professional/researcher be an in-house employee of the Applicant?

Yes, this is possible if the researcher/STEM professional chosen is qualified to undertake the research. This will need to be explained in the application form.

3. How is the researcher/STEM professional to be paid given that consultancy fees are not eligible costs?

The researcher/STEM professional is not a consultant in the project since they will be actively involved in the development and implementation of the project. The Applicant and researcher/STEM Professional will need to proceed together with the members of the community in terms of the collaboration, a ‘Partner Collaboration Plan’ (PLP) and a Letter of Commitment will be required at the Application stage in this regard. Definitions of both terms may be referred to in the guidelines.

4. Should the researcher/STEM professional be in possession of a VAT number? What about researchers/STEM professional that do not have a VAT number and hence, should be declared as VAT exempt?

If the researcher/STEM professional is not in possession of a VAT number and does not require one, an acknowledgement of receipt of payment will need to be provided. If the researcher/STEM professional is registered as VAT exempt, then they will need to provide a fiscal receipt. For more information on VAT, you can visit the official website for the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue by clicking here.

5. How many quotes should be presented in the Budget template?

For the purpose of this Fund, one quotation will suffice for every service/purchase foreseen, as long as the beneficiary follows their procurement regulations relevant to their statute.

6. Would the project still be eligible if the plan is to complete it before the time frame stipulated in the National STEM Community Fund Guidelines?

Yes, the project can be finalised before the one-year time frame suggested in the National STEM Community Fund Guidelines. Don’t forget to fill in the Final Report Template and to let us know on stemengagement.esplora@esplora.org.mt.

7. Are projects that have already been implemented eligible for this Fund?

As stated in the Guidelines, the projects presented should be constructed collaboratively between the community-based organisation, the researcher/STEM professional, and the local community. Hence, the project should not be a replica of a project that has already been implemented in the past.