For the development of Bulgarian science, it is extremely important that domestic researchers actively integrate into the international scientific space. In order to simplify this process and encourage scientists to engage in active research activity, the country’s government has developed a special strategy. What goals is it aimed at, and what tasks does it envisage implementing? Today we will talk about this in more detail.
By what principle does the integration of Bulgarian scientists take place?
The National Development Programme “Bulgaria 2030” defines thirteen key development priorities, one of which is “P2: Science and Scientific Infrastructure”. You can read more about the other directions of the strategy in our article on this topic.
The integration of science into the European space is defined as a strategic priority for transforming the Bulgarian economy into an economy based on knowledge and smart growth. Sub-priority 2.2 of the programme is aimed at supporting the internationalisation of Bulgarian scientific organisations and higher education institutions by ensuring synergy with the EU Framework Programmes for research and innovation. It also aims at the overall integration of the Bulgarian research and innovation ecosystem into the European Research Area.
Next, we will consider what tasks the implementation of this strategy envisages.
Strengthening the national coordination network
The first sphere of influence of the strategy is the integration of scientists into international scientific networks. It is aimed at increasing the participation of Bulgarian researchers in European projects. In order to achieve the set goals, it is necessary to implement several key initiatives. Which ones exactly?
1. Expanding support for researchers
This initiative envisages changing the national coordination network within the framework of the Framework Programmes for research and innovation by introducing additional measures for promotion and expanding the scope and effectiveness of advisory services. It is expected that this will allow Bulgarian researchers to better navigate European funding opportunities and increase their chances of successful participation in competitions.
2. Synergy with European programmes
Special attention is paid to developing synergy with the EU Framework Programmes — large-scale, long-term funding programmes to support research, innovation and cooperation in certain fields at the level of the European Union. This will take place through the creation of co-financing instruments for projects that have received the prestigious “Seal of Excellence”, as well as projects within the direction Widening Participation and Sharing Excellence (expanding participation and sharing excellence).
It is also envisaged to actively promote and coordinate the participation of scientists in European research and innovation partnerships, including the modernisation of knowledge and technology transfer centres. These measures will create an institutional basis for effective international cooperation.
3. Addressing socio-economic challenges
The strategy emphasises the importance of implementing national and international scientific programmes and projects to address socio-economic challenges. In particular, within its framework it is envisaged to create networks and cooperate with leading European scientific organisations in order to join pan-European scientific infrastructures.
Particular emphasis is placed on the creation and strengthening of global partnership networks and cooperation with EU countries to increase the added value from ideas, research and results.
Bulgarian Open Science Cloud
The second sphere of influence is the internationalisation of scientific results. It focuses on the dissemination and application of the scientific achievements of Bulgarian scientists. This takes place through significant attention to access to scientific data, the creation of strategic partnerships and the exchange of experience. How should this work in practice?
1. Open access to scientific data
One of the key directions of work within this sphere is the creation of the Bulgarian Open Science Cloud (Bulgarian Open Science Cloud). Its purpose is to support the dissemination and transfer of scientific results, which, in turn, will make the research of domestic scientists more visible in the international community.
2. Strategic partnerships
This aspect envisages supporting strategic partnerships with European research, innovation and technological centres and infrastructures. This will help create channels for knowledge exchange and joint work on innovative projects.
3. Exchange of experience
The strategy provides for stimulating the exchange of experience and engaging leading world scientists, researchers from the Bulgarian diaspora and specialists for the exchange of experience and the creation of joint developments.
In addition, an important place is occupied by international intersectoral mobility, including bilateral mobility programmes between Bulgarian laboratories, centres and infrastructures and large scientific laboratories for the exchange of experience and the implementation of joint projects (with countries outside the EU).
Funding of the internationalisation programme
To implement the above-mentioned programme, the Government of Bulgaria has allocated significant amounts of funding, in particular:
- integration into international scientific networks: 200 million leva
- internationalisation of scientific results: 100 million leva
The sources of funding are the state budget, European funds and instruments, international funds, and investments from business will also be used.
The National Development Programme “Bulgaria 2030” is aimed at integrating domestic science and scientists into the European Research Area. The successful implementation of the above-mentioned initiatives will not only increase the competitiveness of Bulgaria’s scientific sphere, but will also contribute to the country’s economic transformation. The transition to a knowledge economy and the improvement of the population’s quality of life through innovation and technological development.
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