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Bulgaria will promote strategic technologies through a new priority of the research and innovation program

by AI | 12.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

8.6 million euros from the EU will finance projects approved by the European Commission under the “Digital Europe” program

Photo: Blagoy Kirilov, BTA

SOFIA – A new priority under the “Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation” Program will promote strategic technologies and cross-sectoral cooperation for innovations in Bulgaria, announced the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. EU funding of nearly 80 million euros has been secured, which will be allocated in three procedures.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Sixth Program Monitoring Committee. This way, the construction of infrastructure will be supported, where new critical technologies will be developed and tested.

Support for projects with the “seal of sovereignty” and “seal of excellence” from the European Commission’s competitions under the “Horizon Europe”, “Digital Europe”, “EU in Support of Health”, European Defense Fund, or Innovation Fund programs will be guaranteed.

It was also discussed that with 8.6 million euros from the budget of the “Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation” Program, EC-approved projects of Bulgarian research organizations under the “Digital Europe” Program will be financed. The funding will complement the approximately 450,000 euros already planned for 2025 for the first two approved project proposals of the GATE Institute at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

The Committee members unanimously agreed that the Ministry of Innovation and Growth’s science and business program has the potential to improve competitiveness and expect to accelerate its implementation to the benefit of business and scientific communities.

The “Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation” Program 2021-2027 was developed in response to the European policy to achieve a smarter Europe through an innovative economic transition, and the funding from the European Regional Development Fund is 885 million euros. (10.03.2025)