site.btaGovernment to Extend Additional BGN 15 Mln to BAS

Government to Extend Additional BGN 15 Mln to BAS

Sofia, December 19 (BTA) - The Government will extend additional 15 million leva to the budget of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), Education Minister Krassimir Vulchev said quoted by the BAS press centre. This was agreed at a meeting of a BAS contact group and BAS Chairman, Acad. Yulian Revalski with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

The 2018 budget envisages 83 million leva for BAS. The Academy demanded at least 98 million leva and threatened with protests in January unless their request is granted.

The funds will be extended after the 2018 National Budget Act enters into force. The extra financing will be distributed among the BAS units based on an evaluation of the research activity and the performance of the separate structure during the past year.

The principles of financing of the Bulgarian science were also discussed at the talks and the sides agreed to work for tying the research activity and the financing of BAS with specific public, sectoral and institutional tasks. The talks held are the first step towards stabilization and support of the BAS financial standing.

Revalski said that they have reached an understanding to reconsider doctoral fellowships and increase them.

Evelina Slavcheva, Chair of the BAS General Assembly, voiced satisfaction with the measures adopted to strengthen project activities in important areas.

The BAS General Meeting will have an extraordinary meeting on December 21 to discuss the progress achieved in the dialogue between BAS and the Government.