BULGARIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE FUND

Their core work

BNSF is Bulgaria's primary public funding agency for scientific research, operating under the Ministry of Education and Science. In H2020, their role is to co-fund Bulgarian researchers participating in transnational ERA-NET joint calls — essentially channeling national research budgets into coordinated European programs. They do not conduct research themselves but act as the financial and administrative bridge that enables Bulgarian scientists to join pan-European research consortia across quantum technologies, biodiversity, materials science, and agri-food systems. Their participation in 18 ERA-NET Cofund actions makes them one of the most active national funding bodies from the EU-13 widening countries.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015-2018, BNSF focused heavily on biodiversity and ecosystem services (BiodivERsA3, BiodivScen), FET Flagships (FLAG-ERA II), and foundational materials and nanomedicine research — reflecting Bulgaria's early priorities in aligning with established European research agendas. From 2019 onward, the portfolio shifted toward circular economy (ERA-MIN3, ENUTC, M-ERA.NET3), socio-ecological governance, interdisciplinary approaches, and funding coordination itself — with keywords like "funding synergies" and "governance processes" signaling a more strategic, systems-level engagement. The addition of CHANSE in 2021 marks a notable expansion into humanities and social sciences, suggesting BNSF is broadening Bulgaria's ERA-NET footprint beyond STEM.

BNSF is moving from purely scientific ERA-NETs toward interdisciplinary and sustainability-focused funding programs, making them an increasingly relevant partner for projects that bridge environment, society, and technology.

How they like to work

BNSF always participates as a funding partner, never as coordinator — their role is to represent Bulgaria's national research funding in pan-European ERA-NET consortia. With 155 unique partners across 44 countries, they operate as a broad-network connector rather than a repeat-partner organization, reflecting the nature of ERA-NETs which bring together dozens of national funding agencies. Working with BNSF means accessing Bulgarian research capacity and co-funding for transnational calls — they are the gateway for any consortium wanting Bulgarian participation in ERA-NET programs.

Exceptionally broad network of 155 partners across 44 countries, which is characteristic of ERA-NET participation where dozens of national funding agencies collaborate per action. Their geographic reach spans nearly all EU and associated countries, with connections well beyond Europe through international cooperation programs like ERA-MIN3 and BiodivERsA3.

What sets them apart

BNSF is Bulgaria's main instrument for connecting national researchers to pan-European joint calls. Unlike research institutes or universities, they bring co-funding capacity — meaning consortium builders who include BNSF can unlock Bulgarian national funding for their transnational projects. For any ERA-NET or partnership seeking to include EU-13 widening countries, BNSF is the most experienced Bulgarian funding body with participation across nearly every major ERA-NET Cofund in H2020.

Highlights from their portfolio

• QuantERA
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 177,906) — quantum technologies ERA-NET continued into QuantERA II, showing sustained Bulgarian commitment to this strategic field
• BiodivRestore
  Part of a four-project biodiversity ERA-NET series (BiodivERsA3 → BiodivScen → BiodivClim → BiodivRestore), demonstrating the longest thematic commitment in BNSF's portfolio
• CHANSE
  First and only humanities & social sciences ERA-NET in BNSF's portfolio (2021), signaling strategic diversification beyond STEM disciplines