Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1416377
maltatoday | SUNDAY •3 OCTOBER 2021 15 COMMERCIAL MCST launches a STEM Community Fund IN a bid to narrow the gap be- tween science and the commu- nity, Esplora Interactive Science Centre is exploring and look- ing into ways and means for researchers to engage in a dia- logue with local communities and raise awareness of the rele- vance of science to society. Esplora drives this by being chair of the National 'STEM Engagement Working Group' set up in 2019 to primarily ad- dress the skills gap in STEM – Science, Tecnhology, Engi- neering and Mathematics. The working group incorporates major national stakeholders in the field of STEM including the University of Malta (UM), the Malta College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST), Ministry for Education, Insti- tute for Education, JobsPlus, National Skills Council and Tech.mt. The €24,000 STEM Commu- nity Fund was launched by the the Hon. Owen Bonnici, Min- ister for Equality, Research and Innovation and Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Executive Chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Tecnhnology (MCST) on the 28th of Sep- tember during a press confer- ence held at Villa Bighi Chapel on MCST's premises, Kalka- ra. The fund aims to provide a means for researchers and communities to get together and address interests that will benefit the community as a whole. During his speech, the Minis- ter for Equality, Research and Innovation Owen Bonnici said that this is another effort to bring the sciences closer to our citizens. "When people in the com- munity experience science and its benefits upclose," Minister Bonnici said, "they can under- stand better its importance and its relevance to their own lives. In this way, we can keep increasing citizens' interest in science and research and per- haps even attract more stu- dents to opt for careers in sci- entific research." "It is only through the in- volvement of citizens them- selves, that we can bring about new and effective solutions for the challenges being faced by the wrold today, such as pollu- tion and climate change," Min- ister Bonnici explained. Executive Chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology, Dr Jeffrey Pull- icno Orlando said that: "Es- plora's main aim, led by the Malta Council for Science and Technology, is to drive forward and strengthen the knowledge, education and participatory methods in STEM within the community." He added that "the main scope of launching this fund today is for schools, Local Councils, non-govern- mental organisations (NGOs) and other organisations or in- dividuals belonging to a spe- cific community who have an innovative research idea that can be of benefit to the lo- cal community and society at large. Each project can receive a maximum allocation of 8,000 euro." Ultimately, the idea is to en- gage with a STEM researcher in order to develop a STEM community-based project. The total budget of the Fund for 2021 is 24,000 euro. The main costs identified as eligible for funding are the following: per- sonnel, research costs, con- sumables, and dissemination costs. The projects will be eval- uated and selected on the basis of Excellence, Relevance of the Project to the Community and Impact & Legacy of the Project. Applications open on the 28th of September via an on- line portal on Esplora's web- site. A letter of commitment from the researcher/STEM professional involved will need to be attached by the main applicant. The dead- line for the submission of applications will be Wednes- day November 17th. Results are expected to be published in December 2021, with dis- bursement of 70 % (first tranche) of the grant being made by the end of 2021. Ap- plicants will have one year to complete their projects. More detailed information can be found in the Guide- lines published on Esplora's website through the following link: https://esplora.org.mt/ the-stem-community-fund/ Clayton Cutajar – Esplora Deputy Director and Chairperson of STEM Engagement Working Group Above, Left to right: Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando – Executive Chairman, Malta Council for Science and Technology and Hon. Owen Bonnici – Minister for Equality, Research and Innovation