AGROBIOINSTITUTE

Their core work

AgroBioInstitute is a Bulgarian research centre focused on agricultural biosciences, with particular expertise in crop science, legume-based farming systems, and livestock feed research. Beyond their core agricultural research, they have built a strong track record in science communication and responsible research practices — running European Researchers' Night events in Bulgaria and driving institutional change around open science, gender equality, and ethics in biosciences. They serve as a bridge between agricultural research and public engagement, making scientific knowledge accessible to diverse audiences.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ABI's early H2020 work (2016-2018) was dominated by science communication and public engagement — running Researchers' Night events, promoting entrepreneurship, and raising awareness of research careers in Bulgaria. From 2018 onward, a clear shift emerged toward agricultural substance: legume farming systems, protein crops, and livestock feed. Simultaneously, their responsible research work matured from broad structural change (STARBIOS 2) to more focused institutional practices (RESBIOS), suggesting growing internal capacity in open science governance.

ABI is transitioning from a science engagement role toward substantive agricultural research participation, particularly in sustainable protein crops and farming systems — expect deeper agri-food contributions in future programmes.

How they like to work

ABI operates exclusively as a participant — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for smaller research centres building their European track record. With 58 unique partners across 20 countries from just 6 projects, they join broad consortia rather than leading them. Their recurring participation in the Researchers' Night series (FRESH → REFRESH → FRESHER) shows loyalty to established partnerships, while their diverse project topics suggest they are a flexible contributor willing to take on varied roles.

Despite modest project numbers, ABI has built a surprisingly wide network of 58 partners across 20 countries — driven by participation in large CSA consortia. Their reach spans well beyond the Balkans into Western and Northern Europe.

What sets them apart

ABI occupies a rare niche as a Bulgarian research centre that combines agricultural bioscience expertise with deep experience in science communication and responsible research governance. For consortium builders, they offer a dual value: genuine agri-food research capacity plus the ability to handle dissemination, public engagement, and RRI work packages — roles that many agricultural institutes struggle to fill. Their Bulgarian base also strengthens widening participation requirements in Horizon Europe proposals.

Highlights from their portfolio

• STARBIOS 2
  By far their largest project (EUR 318,760 — 71% of total funding), focused on institutional transformation in biosciences across multiple European research organisations.
• Legumes Translated
  Their only pure agricultural research project, signalling a strategic shift toward substantive food systems work with a multi-actor approach connecting researchers to farmers.
• FRESHER
  The third iteration of their Researchers' Night series, demonstrating sustained commitment and proven delivery capability in science communication.