Enhancing the Contribution of Bulgaria’s Public Research to Innovation : A Survey-based Diagnostic

Despite strong economic growth over the last three decades, Bulgaria has not achieved a transition from a factor-driven economy to an innovation-driven economy. There is an urgent need to strengthen both the capacity of researchers and the impact of public research on the economy and society through technology and knowledge transfer activities. This country note aims to provide evidence on the state of progress in knowledge and technology transfer activities from public research institutions in Bulgaria and to identify the factors that enable or constrain these activities. The first part of this report reviews the general conditions of public sector R and D (Research and Development) in Bulgaria in terms of funding, performance, and outputs of public R and D activities and provides an overview of the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy framework and institutions in the country. The second section describes the surveys utilized by this report, including topics covered and methodology, while the third section presents the survey findings. The final section of the report provides policy recommendations for improving public research performance and outcomes.