National co-funding for Bulgarian universities participating as full partners in European university alliances is envisaged under a new national programme. This is set out in a draft Council of Ministers decision to adopt the new programme, published for public consultation on the website of the Education and Science Ministry.
The draft states that universities must have active projects under the Erasmus+ programme for the 2021–2027 period at the time the programme is adopted.
The programme has been drafted pursuant to Article 91 of the Higher Education Act, which provides for the financing of activities under national programmes for the development of state higher education institutions. It has been drawn up in response to the European Universities initiative, the European Strategy for Universities and the European Union’s (EU) policy on funding European alliances, as well as rising public expectations regarding the activities of higher education institutions.
European university alliances have established themselves as a benchmark for innovation and creativity on the international academic stage. The Ministry’s consistent policy of promoting this type of cooperation justifies the need for targeted support for state higher education institutions. Developments in higher education in the EU, including growing interest among citizens of non-EU countries in studying in Bulgaria, as well as the pursuit of competitiveness through shared academic infrastructure and knowledge, have made it necessary to create this specific support instrument by providing the corresponding national co-financing. This will ensure that Bulgarian state higher education institutions are on an equal footing with their European partners, the draft explains.
It states that the programme aims to encourage the participation of Bulgarian state higher education institutions as full partners in European university alliances with active projects under the Erasmus+ programme for 2021–2027 through the establishment of a financial instrument. This is expected to improve the quality of education and promote the internationalization of Bulgarian higher education. The co-financing will provide targeted funding in accordance with project proposals approved by the European Commission (EC) and the grant agreements concluded.
The eligible beneficiaries under the national programme are: Agricultural University in Plovdiv (UNIgreen); Sts Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo (OpenEU Alliance); Medical University in Sofia (INGENIUM); Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts – Sofia (FilmEU Alliance); Angel Kanchev University of Ruse (Across Alliance); Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski (Transform4Europe alliance); D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov (KreativEU alliance); Technical University of Sofia (EUt+ alliance); University (ENGAGE.EU); and the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (BAUHAUS4EU).
The expected results of the programme include providing national-level support for the activities of European university alliances; improving the current academic performance of state higher education institutions in Bulgaria; developing joint curricula between European universities; ensuring balanced physical and virtual mobility for students, PhD candidates, lecturers and researchers; strengthening international academic cooperation with added value; increasing efficiency and innovation in addressing socially significant challenges; making contributions of public importance that benefit local communities; and enhancing the international standing and competitiveness of Bulgarian higher education.
The new programme is expected to run until December 31, 2027. Its total budget is EUR 1.2 million, with EUR 530,000 allocated for 2026 and EUR 670,000 for 2027. National co-financing will supplement the funding provided under the Erasmus+ programme and may not exceed 20% of the grant amount under the agreement approved by the European Commission for the Bulgarian partner in each alliance.

Bulgarian Universities in European Alliances to Receive National Co-Funding under New Programme THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-11-08 05:33:00

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