Standards & Awards for SMEs

What the scheme funds

The scheme part-finances external advisory services contracted to prepare a business for — and successfully achieve — a recognised Standard or Award. The advisory work covers the gap analysis, process design, documentation, and preparation needed to meet the requirements of the target certification.

Examples of qualifying Standards and Awards include internationally recognised quality management, environmental, information security, or sector-specific standards. Consult the Guidance Notes on fondi.eu for the current list of eligible standards.

Who qualifies

The scheme is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established in Malta. The external consultant engaged must be independent of the applicant business, confirmed via a signed Declaration of Unrelation.

• Fewer than 250 employees
• Annual turnover not exceeding €50M or balance sheet total not exceeding €43M
• The business must have been trading for at least one year at the time of application
• The business must successfully achieve the Standard or Award — this is a non-negotiable requirement
• Maximum two applications per undertaking under this scheme (for different standards or awards)

Grant details

• Maximum grant: €15,000–€20,000 (the precise cap depends on the type of standard — confirm in the Guidance Notes)
• The grant covers a portion of external advisory costs incurred to achieve the certification
• Aid is provided under the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER)
• Grant is non-repayable; paid in arrears on submission of evidence including proof of certification

How to apply

Applications are submitted via the Structural Funds Database (sfd.gov.mt). The process involves:

• Identify the target Standard or Award and confirm it appears on the eligible list in the Guidance Notes
• Engage an independent external consultant to provide the advisory and preparation work
• Complete the certification process and obtain the standard or award
• Submit the application via sfd.gov.mt before the relevant cut-off date, including consultant invoices, Declaration of Unrelation, and evidence of certification
• MSD reviews and issues a grant decision; payment follows on approval

Cut-off dates run approximately every two weeks through December 2026. Upcoming dates: 29 May, 12 June, 30 June, 17 July, 31 July, 17 August, 18 September, 30 September, 16 October, 30 October, 13 November, 30 November, 14 December 2026.

Is this scheme right for you?

Standards & Awards is well-suited for SMEs that are ready — or nearly ready — to pursue formal certification and want to recover part of the advisory cost. Given that certification is a prerequisite for the grant, this is not the right scheme if the business is only exploring whether to pursue a standard. You need genuine readiness and commitment to achieve the certification.

For businesses that need preparatory scoping or gap analysis before committing to certification, a Business Reports for SMEs application may be a better starting point.