Innovation and R&D System in Bulgaria: Finding a Way To Improve Coordination Assoc. Prof. Evgeni Evgeniev, PhD Coordinator for KSP Project 2016/2017 under Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Bulgaria Economic Research Institute, BAS Sofia, Bulgaria 29/AUG/2016

Focus on Bulgaria Key indicators of the national research and innovation system Key funding institutions Policy & Legislative Framework

Intensity of R&D financing in Bulgaria remains low (% of GDP) Източник: DG Research and Innovation, European Commission; Data: EUROSTAT; DG ECFIN.

Uneven distribution of R&D funding Data for 2014 from the National Statistical Institute reveal a huge gap of R&D funding distribution in the six economic regions of Bulgaria. One region – Southwest Bulgaria – takes up over 90 % of overall R&D funding. while business generates 0.5 % of overall R&D funding, the state funding takes 0.2 %, and academia generates only 0.07 %.

NSF Funding Will be added

Attracted EU Funds under Research Funding VI-VII-VIII- th Framework Program 18,7 m. EUR 40,92 m. EUR 96,54 m. EUR

NIF Funding Source: Ministry of Economy (2016) Calls for proposal Submitted projects Signed deals % of signed deals Negotiated subsidy (in BGN) І (2005 ) 118 43 36 6 700 000. ІІ (2005) 120 67 56 8 300 000 ІІІ (2006) 146 108 74 16 600 000 ІV (2006) 168 91 54 16 900 000 V (2008) 123 60 49 12 000 000 VІ (2012) 9 110 000 VII (2014) 152 52 34 9 980 098 VIII (2016) expected exptected 6 000 000 (forecast) TOTAL 742 457 47 79 590 098 Source: Ministry of Economy (2016)

Innovation Union Scoreboard (2015, European Commission) Source: European Union (2015)

Global Competitiveness Position of Bulgaria (2015-2016) Quality of the scientific research institutes (72) R&D Expenditure (78) Innovation Capacity (79) Available scientists and engineers (90) Academia – Business cooperation (112) Източник: Global Competitiveness Report (30 септ. 2015 г.); класация на 140 държави.

Dynamics of publication activity in Bulgaria Source: InCites, Web of Science (2016)

R&D Researchers in Bulgaria (full-time contract) Businesses State Academia Non-Commercial Organizations Source: National Statistical Institute, 2016

Age distribution of the researcher/lecturer staff in universities and scientific institutes Below 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 Over 65 Source: National Statistical Institute, 2016

Number of publications of Bulgarian Researchers Source: SCOPUS, 2016

Distribution of science areas as per indicators for quality (Bulgaria)

Distribution of publications as per scientific areas

Domination of research publications by Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2000-2015) Source: InCites, Web of Science, 2016

Bulgarian export of high added value products EU 28 Bulgaria Source: Eurostat, 2016

Bulgarian Patent Applications (EU) Source: EPO Patent applications (EPO) Issued patents (EPO)f

Bulgarian Patent applications (US) Source: USPTO Patent applications (USPTO) Issued patents (USPTO)

Top 10 hurdles for the business environment in Bulgaria (2013) Source: Business Enterprise Survey for Bulgaria (2013).

Policy Framework (government priorities 2014-2018) Increase of the R&D Funds – up to 1,5% of GDP Development of innovation and science and their application for modernization of business Sustainable partnership between academia and business Economic outcomes of scientific products and innovations High quality of the scientific product through project financing and business-academia partnership Establishment of Science Technology Parks and Centers of Excellence/Competence Reform of the National Science Fund towards transparency and monitoring for increase of the effectiveness of public financing

Legislative Framework and Key Policy Documents Law for Promotion of Scientific Research National Strategy for Scientific Research 2025 Regional Innovation Smart Specialization Strategy for Bulgaria

innovation eco-system Universities/ Research Institutes R&D Businesses Accelerators/ Incubators innovation eco-system Technology transfer offices & Sofia Tech Park R&D Labs E & I clubs E & I competitions Patents/Licenses support

New Agency for Promotion of Research and Innovation (draft proposal) Mission – implement policy, conduct effective monitoring and coordinate Vision - Promote the development of science and new technologies in congruence with national priorities under RIS3 (regional innovation smart specialization strategy) in cooperation with other institutions and sectors.  Tasks

New Agency for Promotion of Research and Innovation (draft proposal)

Pending Issues Governance mechanism Monitoring and evaluation of the system Effective channeling of public funds Incentives for private sector R&D funding

Contacts: Assoc. Prof. Evgeni Evgeniev, PhD eevgeniev@vuzf.bg