The Joint Research Center has chosen 13 Bulgarian research centers in order to assist them in bringing their innovative ideas to the market, strengthening both their ties with businesses and their participation in European and international cooperation projects.

The 13 centres include four “centres of excellence” and nine “centres of competence”, focused on applied research activities with potential for industrial uptake. It concerns sectors such as mechatronics, digital technologies, creative and gaming industries and biotechnology and other areas in line with the priorities of Bulgaria’s smart specialisation strategy, its industrial and innovation strategy based on local competitive strengths.

This support project will be carried out until June 2020, with an additional budget of €250,000 from the European Regional Development Fund, in addition to the €170 million, earmarked for research and innovation under from the 2014-2020 Bulgarian ‘Science and Education for Smart Growth’ EU funds programme.