Deadline Date: July 17, 2026
The Standards and Awards for SMEs Grant Scheme is requesting applications to support SMEs in Malta to achieve recognised standards and awards that improve competitiveness and business excellence.
The focus areas include advisory services for standards and awards, international certifications, national excellence awards, competitiveness, credibility, industry standards, best practices, quality improvement, efficiency, sustainability, innovation, market access, and continuous improvement in business operations.
The Standards & Awards for SMEs scheme is designed to fund advisory services that help enterprises prepare for and achieve recognised standards or awards. It supports SMEs in strengthening their internal management systems and operational structures to improve overall business performance.
The scheme aims to enhance competitiveness and credibility through internationally recognised certifications and national excellence awards. It also encourages alignment with industry standards and promotes a culture of continuous improvement, quality, efficiency, sustainability, and innovation within business operations.
This support is intended to help SMEs improve their internal frameworks rather than meet regulatory requirements or obtain product-specific certifications required for market access. It focuses on long-term business improvement and operational excellence.
The scheme falls under Policy Objective 1 of the SFC2021 Programme 2021–2027, supporting a more competitive and smarter Europe through innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth of SMEs. It contributes to improving competitiveness and job creation through productive investments.
The scheme will remain operational until 31 December 2026, subject to available funding. The total allocated budget is €500,000. The maximum grant available is €15,000 per undertaking, which may increase to €20,000 for applicants seeking more than two standards or awards through the same service provider within a single application.
Eligible applicants include micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises engaged in economic activity, provided they have been actively trading for at least one year at the time of application and meet all legal registration requirements.
For more information, visit FONDI.eu.
