NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Their core work

The National Museum of Natural History in Sofia is Bulgaria's leading natural history museum, serving as a venue and organizer for public science engagement activities. Within H2020, their role has been exclusively focused on European Researchers' Night events — large-scale public engagement campaigns that bring science to general audiences through hands-on activities, competitions, and interactive demonstrations. They contribute expertise in science communication, audience engagement, and making complex scientific topics accessible to non-specialist audiences.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

NMNHS's H2020 involvement spans three successive Researchers' Night projects (2016–2021), showing a gradual broadening rather than a dramatic shift. Early work (FRESH, 2016) centered on classic public engagement — competitions, entrepreneurship showcases, and hands-on science for general audiences. By the later projects (REFRESH, FRESHER), the focus expanded to include interdisciplinary themes, cultural heritage, participatory formats, and explicit attention to inclusion and science communication as a discipline.

Moving from straightforward public engagement events toward more inclusive, participatory, and culturally integrated science communication — a useful partner for projects needing outreach with social inclusion dimensions.

How they like to work

NMNHS has always participated as a partner, never as coordinator, in consortium-based Researchers' Night projects. With 23 unique partners across just 3 projects, they work in large national consortia — likely alongside other Bulgarian museums, universities, and research centers delivering simultaneous events across the country. This suggests a reliable, low-maintenance partner that delivers its local component within a larger coordinated campaign.

NMNHS has worked with 23 partners across 2 countries through its Researchers' Night participation, indicating a predominantly national network of Bulgarian institutions co-delivering science engagement events with limited cross-border collaboration.

What sets them apart

As a natural history museum, NMNHS brings a unique physical venue and collections-based experience to science engagement activities — something universities and research institutes cannot easily replicate. Their strength lies in translating complex scientific research into tangible, hands-on experiences for diverse public audiences. For consortium builders needing a Bulgarian outreach partner with a proven track record in public-facing events, they are a dependable choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FRESH
  The first in a trilogy of Researchers' Night projects and the largest single grant (EUR 8,550), establishing the museum's role in Bulgaria's national science engagement network.
• FRESHER
  The most recent project introduced inclusion and broader science communication themes, signaling an evolution beyond traditional public engagement formats.