Targeted course for specialists

On 10 September 2025, we hosted our first targeted funding course in Plovdiv, led by New I, Ciela. The session focused on practical funding opportunities for 2025 and brought together researchers from the Agricultural University, SME managers and innovation intermediaries from Bulgaria and Switzerland.

The course provided a clear overview of national delegated programmes, such as Green and Digital Partnerships for Smart Transformation (BGN 100k–1.5M, with an intensity of up to 80% for SMEs), which cover prototyping, validation, IP management and business planning. Participants also explored EU centralised programmes such as Horizon Europe, EIC schemes, EU4Health, DEP and EDF, as well as NATO DIANA, cascade funding programmes such as EUROSTARS 3.0 and DIHs, and other international options including the National Innovation Fund, Innovate UK, Innosuisse and the Norway Grants.

During a preceding interactive session, AU/CCBRE researchers formed draft partner groups with SMEs, focusing particularly on circular bioeconomy and digital agriculture pilots. The discussion highlighted a four-step playbook for identifying opportunities, assessing readiness, developing strategies and executing proposals.

Looking ahead, we will collaborate with SMEs to develop impact pathways incorporating carbon and circular metrics and explore opportunities to participate in operational groups for micro-grants and implementation funding. A follow-up meeting is planned for spring 2026 to review new funding opportunities and measure progress.