1. 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

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

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

4. 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 %.

5. NSF Funding
Will be added

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

7. 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
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)
VII (2014)
152 52 34 9 
VIII (2016)
expected
exptected
(forecast)
TOTAL
742
457 47
Source: Ministry of Economy (2016)

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

9. 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 г.); класация на 140 държави.

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

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

12. 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

13. Number of publications of Bulgarian Researchers
Source: SCOPUS, 2016

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

15. Distribution of publications as per scientific areas

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

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

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

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

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

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

27. Contacts:
Assoc. Prof. Evgeni Evgeniev, PhD