site.btaBulgarian Academy of Sciences Awards Its First Grand Prize for Science

The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) Saturday awarded its first Grand Prize for Science to Acad. Vassya Bankova in recognition of her outstanding scientific achievements. The award was presented by BAS President Prof. Julian Revalski and Acad. Hristo Tsvetanov, who chairs the award committee, at a formal event at the Sofia Opera and Ballet celebrating the Academy’s 155th anniversary.

In his address, the BAS President said that BAS is Bulgaria's leading research center, where world-class research is conducted. "With its academic staff representing about 15% of the country's scientific potential, BAS produces nearly 40% of Bulgaria's national scientific output. BAS scientists are responsible for 40% of the projects under the European Union Framework Programmes and are now contributing to reconstruction initiatives. Our regional academic centers unite researchers from across the country. As advisors to the nation, we develop cutting-edge science for the benefit of society and serve as a vital resource for Bulgarian government institutions," Revalski said.

The BAS Assembly of Academicians and Corresponding Members honoured Acad. Vassya Bankova with the 2024 Grand Prize for Science, Revalski added. 

"This award is highly prestigious, especially given the six outstanding, internationally renowned scientists who competed for it," Tsvetanov added.

Bankova gave an acceptance speech, stressing that she is "deeply honoured to have spent my entire career at the Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry at BAS". "Since my student years, I have always deemed the Academy the temple of Bulgarian science," she added.

Vassya Bankova is a scientist with impressive research output, BAS said. Her research area of interest being the chemistry of propolis, she has made major contributions to the current knowledge of bee glue. 

The BAS Grand Prize for Science was instituted in 2024 to recognize Bulgarian scientists with international recognition for outstanding achievements in science. The BAS Prize will be awarded annually in one of the following fields: natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering; life sciences; and social sciences and humanities.