The background
From space food to digital computers, Bulgarian research and innovative products are an economic locomotive. The airbag; Lactobacilius bulgaricus, a key ingredient in the production of yogurt; the drug Nivalin, used in medicinal fields such as Alzheimer’s treatment; the photocopier; the digital wristwatch or the telephone system with automatic answering and message recording features. All of these and more are discoveries and inventions of Bulgarian researchers.
Research spurs innovation and growth. At the same time, we need to provide research with the right tools to grow, including a sustainable and suitable institutional environment, state-of-the-art infrastructure and the best tools for collaboration and competition with research centres.
The Bulgarian authorities acknowledged these challenges and opportunities when planning their investment priorities and allocated funds for setting up Centres of Excellence and Centres of Competence.
The challenge
The idea behind the Centres of Excellence is that scientific research follows the best world standards and practices, including activities under joint research programmes with leading European research centres and beyond.
In Centres of Competence, in turn, the integration of scientific studies, technological developments and innovations aims to build strategic partnerships with industrial companies and work with them on projects, and create new innovative companies as well as developing and commercialising their intellectual property portfolios. This creates a platform for collaboration.
In order to launch the projects, which are to be co-financed from European funds, the Bulgarian authorities needed to set up a group of experts to analyse proposals for creating Centres of Competence and Excellence.
The action
JASPERS helped the Bulgarian authorities to redesign the first documents, which set out the best criteria to attract the most qualified experts, with the right knowledge and skills, for the evaluation of project proposals. JASPERS further advised the Bulgarian authorities on selected elements in the preparation of the Guidelines for Applicants.
A range of factors, including the number of experts to be appointed and the experience required, were discussed. The quality requirements were designed to maximise the academic level of the evaluation experts. In addition, the type of expertise sought was aimed at promoting greater balance between research, technical and financial experience. The key focus was placed on the results expected from the experts. Organisational and working conditions were also included in the review.
The results
Following the advisory support, the beneficiary appointed a number of evaluators, who in turn contributed for the selection of four Centres of Excellence and eight Centres of Competence with the focus on the following areas of research: mechatronics and clean technologies; informatics and information and communications technology (ICT); industry for healthy living and biotechnology; and new technologies in creative and recreational industries.
