Meet Alexander Camilleri, Head of the EU Funding and Proposal Development Department at AcrossLimits. Alexander leads our team of professional writers and funding specialists in unlocking opportunities for research and innovation across a wide range of sectors. He’s also an early-stage researcher in ecology and biodiversity conservation – and a full-time enthusiast for anything involving nature, tech, and a good challenge.

The Road Less Travelled

Alexander’s academic journey has been anything but straightforward. He was initially studying to become a Doctor of Medicine but switched gears to Commerce, obtaining a diploma and certificate in each from the University of Malta. His professional path was just as varied – from serving in the Armed Forces of Malta to a brief stint in real estate.

Not entirely satisfied with purely commercial and non-academic work, when the right opportunities came along, he seized the chance to follow his deeper passions, studying Zoology with Conservation at Bangor University in Wales, and later earning a Master’s in Biodiversity and Conservation at Trinity College Dublin. Along the way, he got the chance to work on ecological research close to his heart, and received several awards, including the Royal Society of Biology Best Student Award. With nature and technology both close to his heart, it’s no surprise that his work now often finds creative ways to bring the two together.

A Career Written in the Stars (or in this case, proposals)

At AcrossLimits, Alexander blends strategy, creativity, and collaboration to help clients turn big ideas into fully-fledged, fundable projects. He estimates he’s been involved in writing over 70 EU-funded proposals, supervised countless others, and partnered with international organisations on projects spanning scientific, technical, and commercial fields.

He’s also helped to implement over 12 projects, many aligning closely with his interests. Spazju.eu, for example, is advancing science education in Malta; Alexander led the development of the proposal and continues to support its implementation. Another favourite he helped write is EYE-TEACH, which explores AI-assisted eye-tracking in education. More recently, he’s been pursuing funding opportunities that combine environmental conservation with innovation and societal wellbeing.

Alexander’s ultimate goal? Transforming research into tangible benefits for people, while finding that sweet spot where human needs and environmental needs work together rather than against each other.

AcrossLimits: An Ecosystem That Works

With his background in ecology, Alexander knows that the most resilient ecosystems are diverse and interconnected, and he sees AcrossLimits in exactly the same way. Here, no one works in isolation. Whether it’s within his department or across teams, support is always there.

“One of my favourite things about working at AcrossLimits is that the job never gets boring. One day you’re writing a project about sustainable finance for biodiversity, the next about artificial intelligence or else new cancer treatments. It’s challenging, but there’s a constant thrill in tackling new ideas with meaningful real world impacts – and you’re never doing it alone.”

A Life Beyond Proposals

When he’s not navigating EU deadlines, Alexander is likely out in nature with a field guide in hand, identifying plants and animals. His interests are as varied as his projects: he loves reading on zoology, physics, history, politics and philosophy. Also a proud sci-fi fan, he will happily debate the superiority of Star Wars over Star Trek any day. He also keeps a sketchbook close by, filled with concept art for a prospective sci-fi novel that will most likely never get finished.

Thanks to AcrossLimits’ remote-friendly lifestyle, Alexander has called several places like the UK and Ireland home, though Malta will always have his heart. The flexibility and work–life balance here have also given him the chance to take his biodiversity studies further afield, exploring unique ecosystems in places as far-flung as the Florida Everglades or the South Africa Bushveld.

Alexander in his element, at the Welgevonden Research Camp, in South Africa.