The Ministry of Innovation and Growth creates the conditions for innovative ideas to transform into products, services, and jobs. The Ministry is shifting from a model of procedure administrator to that of a national innovation accelerator—an institution that speaks the language of entrepreneurs and operates at the speed of business and technological advancement. We support startups and high-tech companies, technology transfer from research to the market, and targeted investment in strategic technologies. The goal is higher and sustainable growth that does not rely on cheap labor, but rather on high-value-added products and services, successful exports, and integration into regional and global value chains.
Find funding for innovation
Innovation funding instruments managed by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth: national, European, and allied.
The state supports innovative companies throughout their entire development journey—from idea and prototype to entering international markets. Choose the instrument that matches your project's stage and profile, and apply directly to the relevant institution.
National Innovation Fund (NIF)
Grants for market-oriented applied research.
European Funds for Competitiveness Executive Agency
Enterprise innovation and growth programs.
Horizon Europe / EIC
The largest European research and innovation program.
NATO DIANA
NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator.
NATO Innovation Fund
Dual Use Deep Technology Venture Fund.
European Space Agency (ESA)
Programs and orders for Bulgarian companies in the space sector.
EUSPA
The EU space agency: Galileo, Copernicus and more
Eureka / Eurostars
International networks for market-oriented innovation projects.
Innovation and Research Infrastructure
Modern research and innovation infrastructure is the foundation upon which ideas are transformed into technologies and products. Bulgaria boasts an established network of technology parks, centers of excellence, and competence centers that are open to partnerships with businesses and research organizations.
Sofia Tech Park
Bulgaria’s first science and technology park: laboratories, an incubator, and an innovation forum.
sofiatech.bg →Centres of Excellence and Centres of Competence
Centres of Excellence and Centres of Competence established with European funding provide capacity for research and technology transfer.
Catalogue of Centres of Excellence and Competence (PDF) →Investment Map
An interactive map of the country's research infrastructure.
investmap.government.bg →Partnership with the innovation ecosystem
An innovative Bulgaria is being built collaboratively by the state, the business sector, and the scientific community. The Ministry maintains a constant dialogue with industry associations, entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers through two consultative bodies with clearly defined and complementary functions.
Council for Innovation and Scientific Research
(SINI)
A standing advisory body established under Article 16 of the Law on the Promotion of Scientific Research and Innovation, which supports ...and the implementation of state policy to promote innovation and scientific research.
SINI is an advisory body that supports the coordination of state policy for promoting scientific research and innovation with other national policies and strategies. It assists the minister responsible for innovation and the Minister of Education and Science in the implementation of this policy.
The Council was established pursuant to the Law on the Promotion of Scientific Research and Innovation (State Gazette No. 39 of 1 May 2024), and its activities, organization of work, and the procedure for appointing its members are regulated by rules issued jointly by the two ministers (published in State Gazette No. 54 of 4 July 2025). Its composition was determined by a joint order based on proposals from interested organizations, and the Council's first meeting took place on November 13, 2025. Topics discussed included the concept for the National Framework Program for Research and Innovation 2027–2034 and measures to accelerate technology transfer.
Documents:
Council for Innovation and Technological Development
A new expert advisory body to the Minister, ensuring a direct and constant link between the government and the innovation ecosystem during the formulation of state policy on innovation and technological development.
Functions. It maintains an up-to-date list of critical emerging technologies, recommends the removal of regulatory, administrative, and financial barriers, monitors the implementation of strategic documents, and proposes measures for the development of the startup ecosystem. Recommendations concerning matters under the purview of other government bodies are submitted via the Prime Minister, and the respective bodies must provide feedback within a two-month period;
Each recommendation has a status and a designated person responsible, listed in a public register.
The Council’s functions are distinct from yet complementary to those of SINI: the two councils do not duplicate powers and operate based on a framework for coordination and mutual information sharing.
Innovation Policy
State innovation policy prioritizes technologies with high transformative potential—areas where Bulgaria can build competitive advantages and ensure strategic security.
The Ministry leads, coordinates, implements, and oversees state policy in the field of innovation: it defines strategic goals and priorities; directs the development and execution of the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization and other strategic documents; and supports increased innovation activity and culture, technology and knowledge transfer, and the stimulation of research and development within the industrial sector. This policy is shaped through dialogue with the innovation ecosystem—ranging from support for startups and high-tech companies to establishing Bulgaria as a regional innovation hub—and aligns with the European framework for research and innovation.
Artificial Intelligence
National capacity, integration into the economy and public administration. The Ministry coordinates the national position on European AI regulation and promotes its adoption by enterprises and public... services.
Space Technologies
Participation in ESA and EUSPA; development of the national space sector. The Ministry of Innovation and Growth leads and coordinates space policy stemming from Bulgaria's membership in the European Space Agency.
Defense Innovation and Dual-Use
Security technologies: NATO DIANA and the NATO Innovation Fund. Targeted support for companies developing dual-use products and integration into allied defense innovation programs.
Microelectronics
Design and manufacturing under the European Chips Act. Building national capacity across the value chain—from chip design to production—as a critical sector for technological autonomy.
Quantum Technologies
New market opportunities in quantum communications, sensors, and computing. Support for companies developing and implementing quantum solutions, and for the participation of Bulgarian businesses in European quantum initiatives and supply chains.
Biotechnology
Technology transfer from research to the health and food industries. Fostering links between research organizations and businesses within the bioeconomy—a sector with high value-added potential.
Industry 4.0 / 5.0
Automation and digitalization of manufacturing processes. Measures to introduce Industry 4.0 technologies into enterprises through competitiveness and innovation programs.
Startups and Growth
An environment for entrepreneurship and investment attraction. Development of the startup ecosystem, promotion of venture capital, and establishing Bulgaria as a regional innovation hub.
Strategic Framework
Innovation policy is implemented within the context of the National Development Programme BULGARIA 2030—the country's highest-level strategic document—which highlights "Smart Industry" as one of its three key goals: the development and implementation of innovative products, ...processes and business models with higher resource efficiency.
The Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation 2021–2027 builds upon the strengths and ambitions of individual regions and the process of entrepreneurial discovery to transform regional advantages into competitive innovations, sustainable growth, and access to European funding.
National Development Programme BULGARIA 2030
Legislative Framework
The Law on the Promotion of Scientific Research and Innovation (LPSRI) entered into force in 2024; it sets a clear direction for the development of science, technology, and innovation in Bulgaria and consolidates national policies in this field.
The Law establishes lasting rules for research and innovation activities and the participants involved, ensures stable funding and governance, and aims to foster more effective cooperation between the academic and business sectors while enhancing the innovativeness of Bulgarian enterprises. Based on it, SINI and the new National Innovation Fund have been established.