Malta has always recognised that investment in knowledge and research is an investment in our people. In our national Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3), health and cancer were identified as priority areas for the country. Today, this vision is being translated into tangible outcomes. Maltese organisations are not only participating in European research at unprecedented levels, but they are also increasingly shaping projects of direct relevance to our national health priorities; from patient safety and healthcare resilience to the fight against cancer.
The figures speak for themselves. In the previous programming period, under Horizon 2020, Maltese participation in the health cluster was modest, with only five entities. They secured under €600,000 in funding over the entire seven-year programme. By contrast, in the current programming period, which still has over two years to run, Malta has already seen a remarkable leap forward.
To date, around 22 grant agreements have been signed under Horizon Europe (2021-2027)'s health cluster, collectively bringing nearly €8 million in funding to Maltese organisations. This makes health the single most successful cluster for Malta in Horizon Europe, and it is a clear sign of the excellence, ambition and competitiveness of our researchers and innovators.
This achievement did not happen by accident. It is the result of strategic national alignment between policy priorities and European opportunities. Within the health cluster, Maltese entities have secured funding across several important themes:
- Infectious and Chronic Diseases;
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;
- Emerging Epidemics;
- Healthcare Sciences and Services;
- Medical Devices.
These thematic achievements demonstrate that Maltese research is not confined to niche areas, but is active across the whole range of health research, contributing knowledge, expertise and innovation to pan-European consortia.
A notable example is Omniscope Ltd, a Maltese private company with a leading role in the EPIVINF project. This initiative aims to understand how acute viral infections alter the epigenetic regulation of host factors that are critical for immune control and neurological health. The findings of this project will shed light on why individuals respond differently to viral infections, how common mechanisms shape long-term health outcomes, and how these processes can be harnessed for new therapeutic interventions. That a Maltese SME has secured such a central role in this cutting-edge project is a strong signal of the entrepreneurial and scientific talent present in our country.
Cancer is another area where Malta is aligning policy with practice. The establishment of a Malta Cancer Mission Hub, which was conceived to bring together clinicians, researchers, policymakers and civil society, is a direct response to the EU Cancer Mission, and Europe's Beating Cancer plan. Malta is also actively participating in Horizon Europe projects under the Cancer Mission, notably through the participation of Xjenza Malta in supporting the development of National Cancer Mission Hubs across Europe, and the participation of the Centre for Research, Innovation and Health Management (CRIHM) in the development of National Cancer Data Nodes and the Patient Portal for Europe.
This institutional commitment has also been complemented by the launch of the National Cancer Research Programme, managed jointly by the CRIHM and Xjenza Malta. This programme provides funding opportunities specifically tailored to Maltese entities, ensuring that local research capacity in cancer grows hand in hand with our European engagement.
Taken together, these developments illustrate two important dynamics. The first is that Maltese organisations are building credible track records in health research that, although not yet on the scale of larger member states, are highly significant given our size and resources. Secondly, Malta is investing in national structures and coordination mechanisms, from mission hubs to dedicated research governance, which will position us to lead, rather than simply participate, in high-value projects.
The way forward is clear. We must continue to strengthen institutional capacity through grant support offices, data infrastructures and pilot sites. We will encourage consortia that bring together academia, industry and civil society, and align our national roadmaps with European missions. By doing so, we can maximise the impact of Malta's research, and ensure that our citizens directly benefit from the solutions developed.
Our journey is ongoing. We face the realities of a small research community, with limited budgets and human resources. Yet, as the success of our participation in the health cluster shows, size is no barrier to excellence. Malta is proving that, with the right strategy, national commitment and strong partnerships, we can lead in areas of global importance.
Health research is not only a scientific priority; it is a moral imperative. By investing in health research today, Malta is investing in a healthier, a more resilient and a more prosperous tomorrow.
Ian Gauci Borda is a Senior Executive at Xjenza Malta