BG16RFPR002-1.005 Small Innovative Grants for SMEs
Funds Bulgarian SMEs purchasing research and technology-transfer services from universities and scientific organizations under the PNIIDИТ smart transformation programme.
⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.
The Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG) administers this grant under Procedure BG16RFPR002-1.005 of the Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation Programme (PNIIDИТ) 2021-2027 — an EU structural fund programme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The procedure gives small grants to SMEs to pay for services from knowledge providers: universities, scientific organizations, competence centers, and centers of excellence. Total procedure budget is 25,000,000 BGN.
Awards are structured around service packages: 14,710 BGN for one research service; 29,420 BGN for two research services. As of October 2025, 102 contracts had been signed totaling 2,794,900 BGN in grants disbursed, leaving the bulk of the budget still available but the procedure itself may be closed for new applications.
Eligibility covers for-profit micro, small, and medium enterprises. The SME applies directly for the grant and then purchases the identified service from an approved knowledge provider. Bulgarian registration is required.
The single application deadline was 28 March 2025. As of the verification date (June 2026), the deadline has passed and the procedure appears to be in the contract-signing phase, with no new call announced. Check the MIG website for future rounds under PNIIDИТ.
This is a straightforward voucher-style grant: the company selects the research service it needs, identifies an approved provider, and applies for the fixed grant amount to cover the cost.
Access to research services, technology transfer, and innovation consulting from knowledge-intensive organizations — universities, research institutes, competence centers, and centers of excellence.
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