site.btaInnovation Ministry Opens Applications under Research for Smart Transformation OP 2021-2027

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth opens for applications the first procedure of the new Research, Innovation and Digitalisation for Smart Transformation Operational Programme 2021-2027 from the beginning of January 2023. The programme will operate with a budget of BGN 2.14 billion, the press office of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth said Tuesday.

The Research, Innovation and Digitalisation for Smart Transformation Operational Programme 2021-2027 is the first in the history of European funds in Bulgaria to finance research findings in business. 

The programme was presented in Brussels on October 26 and received approval in record short time, on December 5, the Ministry said. 

The programme will be open to universities, research organisations, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large companies in cooperation with SMEs. Some of the measures will be open to joint participation of the above mentioned with NGOs, large enterprises and municipalities. The programme has two priorities - "Sustainable development of the Bulgarian research and innovation ecosystem" and "Digital transformation of the public sector".

The first priority, with a BGN 1.5 billion budget, will develop the already established Centres of Excellence and Centres of Competence, support technology deployment, knowledge transfer and shorten the path from research to innovation. Projects that have been awarded the "Seal of Excellence" under the EC's Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programmes will also be funded. Investments will be made in industrial innovation programmes to develop technologies to make regions more competitive and climate neutral.

The second priority, with a BGN 650 million budget, will fund the digitalisation of the public sector, the increase of cyber security in administration, the creation of data spaces, open access to science, etc.