SME Enhance

Who is eligible for this scheme?

This incentive is open for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. 

What is the form of this aid and what are the maximum aid intensities?

The minimum grant value under this scheme is set at €10,000 whilst the maximum grant value is set at €128,400 for eligible actions, including an additional 7% flat rate to finance any indirect costs related to the investment.

Applications under de Minimis are eligible for part-financing eligible costs up to 50% for investments in Malta and 60% for investments in Gozo.

Applications under Investment Aid are eligible for part-financing eligible costs as per underneath Aid Intensities where the maximum amount of aid granted will not exceed the thresholds indicated in Article 4(1)(a) and (1)(c) GBER.

Applications under Start-up are eligible for part-financing eligible costs up to 60% for investments in Malta and 70% for investments in Gozo. The maximum amount of aid granted will not exceed the thresholds indicated in Article 4(1)(h) GBER.

What costs are covered by this aid?

This Grant Scheme will support eligible enterprises to procure:

a) Equipment and Machinery

Costs for the purchasing of the main component of the operation in terms of equipment and machinery required by the Undertaking for the operation

b) Ancillary items

Allocation of up to 10% of the eligible cost of the operation in terms of Equipment and Machinery capped at a maximum grant amount of not more than €10,000, or the remaining balance to the maximum scheme threshold (whichever is the lowest) for the purchasing of ancillary items to the main activity of the project.

c) Lease of private operational premises

Costs for leasing of privately owned operational premises required for the operations of the Undertaking for the duration of 2 years. Such costs shall be capped at 10% of the eligible cost under Equipment and Machinery. For applications under Start-ups such costs shall be capped at 20% of the eligible cost of the eligible cost under Equipment and Machinery. In addition to the above, applicants may include in their operations budget another  simplified cost option, being a flat rate on the eligible expenditure, to reflect as follows:

• 7% flat rate to finance any indirect costs related to the investment

The aid value for the identified eligible expenditure shall be reimbursed through the application of actual cost incurred and paid and capped at the value of the Grant Agreement or the invoice amount, whichever is the lowest.

When are the cut off dates for this Scheme?

Whilst The SME Enhance will remain effective until 31 December 2026, subject to availability of funds, the below are the next round of cut-offs: