17 Mar 2025
Bulgaria advocates for transformative principles in FP10

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria has outlined its vision for the upcoming 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10). Building on previous successes, the ministry emphasises the need for FP10 to generate robust and impactful research within Europe, boost competitiveness, and enhance resilience against future crises.
Central to FP10's architecture should be promoting exemplary research and innovation by tapping into researchers' creativity and expertise across EU member states. Bulgaria advocates for simplification and alignment, such as streamlining programme procedures, reducing bureaucracy, and improving inclusiveness. Additionally, they highlight fostering genuine synergies across European programmes to maximise research impact and investments.
Addressing the ongoing innovation disparity among EU members, Bulgaria stresses the importance of closing this divide for a cohesive European Research Area. FP10 should further encourage Open Science practices and eliminate barriers to academic mobility. Furthermore, aligning FP10 with the ERA Policy Agenda would bolster cross-border collaboration and socio-economic development.
To ensure excellence across the Union, FP10 must focus on both fundamental and applied research, nurturing innovation ecosystems and promoting technology transfer, the paper says. By emphasising collaborative research and international cooperation, FP10 should aim to maintain Europe’s competitive edge and scientific leadership on the global stage.
The position paper can be downloaded here: