Malta Digital Vouchers Programme 2026: Funding, Eligibility and How to Apply

The Malta Digital Vouchers Programme 2026 provides reimbursable funding to eligible Maltese legal entities for data readiness, dataset creation, regulatory assessments and MDIA technology assurance. Four vouchers are available, with maximum grants ranging from €1,000 to €25,000.

Are you a Maltese entity looking to scale your digital innovation or align with new EU regulations? Xjenza Malta, in collaboration with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), has launched the Digital Vouchers Programme 2026. This initiative is designed to broaden funding opportunities and support a wider community of stakeholders in the digital sphere.

Here is a quick breakdown of the four vouchers available, including their eligible activities, maximum grant amounts and project durations.

1. Data Readiness Voucher

Data availability is the backbone of digital innovation. This voucher helps entities prepare their internal datasets for future research or AI applications.

• Best For: Labelling, cleaning, digitising, or mapping data to established standards.

• Funding: A base rate of €14,000, with a potential €6,000 top-up if your project focuses on the priority sectors of finance, transport, or health.

• Duration: 12 months.

2. Build Voucher

This voucher encourages the creation of high-quality open and synthetic datasets. These resources are vital for safe experimentation and testing AI models without exposing real operational data.

• Best For: Generating synthetic data derived from your own processes to accelerate the development of high-impact AI solutions.

• Funding: Basic reimbursement of €12,000. You can unlock an additional €3,000 for using an API-standard format and €5,000 for projects in priority sectors, reaching a maximum of €20,000.

• Duration: 12 months.

3. Regulatory Assessment Voucher

With the introduction of the EU AI Act and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), understanding your legal obligations is more important than ever.

• Best For: Obtaining formal legal guidance to determine if your system qualifies as an AI system and identifying its risk category.

• Funding: A maximum grant of €1,000 to cover fees for a warranted legal advisor or an MDIA-recognised technical expert.

• Duration: 12 months.

4. TARF/MDIA Sandbox Voucher

Validated technology is trusted technology. This voucher is designed for Maltese entities seeking official recognition for their technology-related controls through the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA). It supports enrollment in the Technology Assessment Recognition Framework (TARF) or the MDIA Sandbox (Level 1 of the framework), which validates technologies like AI, Cloud Computing, and IoT against international standards.

• Best For: Covering the administrative fees for TARF/Sandbox recognition and the costs of obtaining mandatory technical assessments (such as ISAE 3000 or Technology Review reports) from MDIA-recognised experts.

• Funding: A maximum grant of €25,000.

• Duration: 24 months: providing the longest timeframe of all available vouchers to complete the recognition process.

• Important Restriction: Applicants currently running an active project under the Digital Technologies Programme or the Digital Innovation Programme are ineligible for this specific voucher.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The programme is highly inclusive. It is open to sole applicants that are Maltese Registered Legal Entities. This includes:

• Private Commercial Entities (Partnerships and LLCs).

• Public and Government Entities.

• Academic Institutions.

• Registered Co-operatives, NGOs, and Non-profit entities.

To qualify, you must have an operating base in Malta and be compliant with any other active projects funded by Xjenza Malta.

Funding

All four vouchers provide reimbursable funding. Eligible costs may be funded at 90% where State Aid rules apply or at 100% where the project falls under the Non-State Aid option.

Voucher	Primary purpose	Maximum grant	Duration
Data Readiness	Preparing and standardising internal data	€20,000	12 months
Build	Creating open or synthetic datasets	€20,000	12 months
Regulatory Assessment	Assessing AI Act or CRA obligations	€1,000	12 months
TARF/MDIA Sandbox	Technology assurance and recognition	€25,000	24 months

How to Get Started

Applications are processed via an Open Call mechanism and remain open until funds are fully disbursed.

To apply, you must submit your application form and supporting documents (such as CVs and declarations) electronically to ri.xjenza@gov.mt.

Ready to innovate? Ensure your proposal presents a credible plan with reasonable estimates for resources and timeframes to secure your funding.

Reach out for any assistance in relation to your digital transformation process.

Transparency Disclosure: AI-Assisted Content

This article, including any images, was generated with the assistance of a Large Language Model (LLM) but has undergone a comprehensive process of human review and editorial control. In accordance with the exceptions outlined in Article 50(4) of the EU AI Act and the draft Code of Practice, this publication is subject to the editorial responsibility of Synerf. The review process involved verifying factual accuracy, ensuring contextual relevance, and exercising organizational oversight to maintain the integrity of the information provided.