site.btaInnovation and Growth Ministry to Invest BGN 500 Mln in Joint projects between Business, Research Organizations by end-2023

By end-2023, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth will invest nearly BGN 500 million in creating more opportunities for joint projects between business and research organizations and infrastructures across the country. The funding is provided under the new 2021-2027 Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation Operational Programme (RIDSTOP) and was approved today by its Monitoring Committee.

BGN 336 million will be invested in the Centres of Excellence and Centres of Competence, built under the 2014-2020 Science and Education for Smart Growth Operational Programme. In parallel, the development of two more sites from the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure, as well as the Laboratory Complex at the Sofia Tech Park science and technology park.

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth will launch two procedures to build a national network of 12 digital and innovation hubs worth BGN 67 million. The new hubs will help connect businesses across sectors and regions with the nearest specialist research organizations.

Another BGN 16 million will be invested in creating Bulgaria's first hydrogen valley in Stara Zagora (South Central Bulgaria).

RIDSTOP's Monitoring Committee also approved another procedure for BGN 1.2 million for the development of a platform for cooperation between universities, research organizations and the business sector.

Activities for nearly 65 million BGN will also be implemented for building a strategic framework for data management and interoperability of the different components of the national cybersecurity system. They will be implemented by the e-Government Ministry.

RIDSTOP will operate with a total budget of BGN 2.14 billion.