site.btaInnovation Ministry to Promote Science-Business Relationship with Nearly BGN 300 Mln in 2024

Innovation and Growth Minister Milena Stoicheva said that her Ministry will promote the interaction between science and business in Bulgaria in 2024 with nearly BGN 300 million. This will happen through the Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation Programme (SRIDITP), which the Ministry manages. The goal is to support the commercialization of scientific developments and projects in businesses.

In the first months of 2024, a grant scheme for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises worth BGN 25 million will be launched. Companies will be able to apply for vouchers of BGN 40,000 each for providing innovative solutions, implementing new products, processes or services in business, solving various technological problems in the field of digitization, introducing new business models, prototyping, etc. These services will be provided by research organizations, universities, centres of excellence and competence, as well as the research complex of Sofia Tech Park.

Participation of Bulgarian organizations in institutionalized European partnerships will be encouraged with over BGN 96 million. These are large associations of Member States, the European Commission and European industry. They complement the existing framework of the Horizon Europe Programme and are oriented towards global challenges and priorities that require critical mass, sustainable funding and a long-term vision.

A procedure with a budget of BGN 172 million will be opened with a focus on building long-term and sustainable cooperation between industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, scientific organizations and universities, non-governmental organizations and local authorities. The goal is to achieve significant progress in the development of the regions through the transformation of the regional economy and the innovation ecosystem.