The SME Enhance Grant Scheme is accepting applications from eligible micro, small and medium-sized enterprises undertaking productive investments in Malta or Gozo. The scheme provides non-repayable grants to support expansion, diversification, operational innovation and initial investment, with the aim of improving business productivity.
Scheme Objectives and Priorities
- The scheme falls under Policy Objective 1, which promotes a more competitive and smarter Europe through innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity.
- It supports entrepreneurship, the commercial development of new ideas and the creation of new businesses.
- It contributes to helping businesses benefit from digitalisation.
- Its principal objective is to strengthen the sustainable growth, competitiveness and job-creation capacity of SMEs through productive investment.
- Supported projects may include investments in tangible and intangible assets connected with expansion, diversification, operational innovation or the establishment of a new business operation.
Funding and Financials
- Initial Budget: €6,000,000.
- Application Process: The scheme operates as an open, rolling call with periodic cut-off dates. Applications are assessed after each cut-off and awards remain subject to budget availability.
- Grant Range: The minimum grant is €10,000, while the maximum cumulative grant for eligible actions is €128,400.
- Indirect Costs: The maximum grant amount includes a 7% flat-rate contribution toward indirect costs associated with the investment.
- Aid Intensity: Under the de minimis route, eligible costs may be financed up to 50% for investments in Malta and 60% for investments in Gozo. Different rates apply under the Investment Aid and Start-up routes.
Eligibility Criteria
- General Applicants: Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in an economic activity may apply, irrespective of their legal form and subject to the scheme’s exclusions.
- Start-up Category: The Start-up route is open to qualifying unlisted micro and small enterprises that meet the scheme’s start-up definition.
- Unincorporated Entities: Undertakings without legal personality must be appropriately registered, including under the Second Schedule of Malta’s Civil Code where applicable.
- Project Location: Applications must concern investments located exclusively in Malta or Gozo, and approved projects must be based and operational there.
Exclusion Criteria
- Undertakings subject to collective insolvency proceedings or outstanding State-aid recovery orders are ineligible.
- Applicants that have failed to comply with a recovery order issued by the Measures and Support Division are excluded.
- Applicants or activities excluded under the applicable de minimis or General Block Exemption Regulation rules are ineligible under the corresponding aid route.
- Undertakings that directly or indirectly supply, develop or retail the expenditure for which they are requesting support cannot claim that expenditure.
- Undertakings whose principal activities fall under agriculture, forestry and fishing are excluded.
- Certain activities involving the processing and marketing of agricultural products are excluded.
- Undertakings primarily engaged in manufacturing, processing or marketing tobacco products are excluded.
- Gambling and betting activities, illegal economic activities and certain public entities are also excluded.
- Projects primarily focused on digitalisation that would be eligible under the separate Digitalise Your SME scheme cannot receive funding through SME Enhance.
Application Details
- Next Cut-off Date: 31 July 2026.
- Further Announced Cut-off Dates: 17 August, 18 September, 30 September, 16 October, 30 October, 13 November, 30 November and 14 December 2026.
- Scheme Duration: The scheme is expected to remain effective until 31 December 2026, subject to the availability of funds.
- More Information: Applicants should consult the official SME Enhance webpage, Guidance Notes and application guide on Fondi.eu before submitting an application.
Interested enterprises should review the complete eligibility, financial-capacity, procurement and documentation requirements before applying. Funding is competitive, subject to assessment and dependent on the availability of the scheme’s budget.