Small Innovation Grants for SMEs

Small Innovation Grants for SMEs (BG16RFPR002-1.005) sits under PNIIDIT 2021-2027 and gives Bulgarian SMEs fixed lump-sum support to buy specialised innovation services from approved knowledge providers. The programme is built around practical access to expertise rather than large project finance, and the eligible providers include universities, research organisations, competence centres, centres of excellence, and research infrastructures registered in Bulgaria's scientific activity system. The 2025 cycle has already closed and moved into contracting. The award size is fixed: 14,710 BGN for one service or 29,420 BGN for two services. The 2025 round approved 123 projects, with 102 administrative contracts signed by October 2025, and the total budget stands at 25,000,000 BGN, split between ERDF and national co-financing. Eligible applicants are micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises registered and operating in Bulgaria. Because the grant amount is lump-sum, the programme is less about matching eligible costs and more about selecting the right expert service package. The best applicants are companies with a concrete technical or commercial question that can be solved by a targeted external service. This route suits teams that need a narrow piece of R&D, testing, or innovation support from a recognised provider, not a full-scale collaborative research consortium. The structure is simple, but the fit matters: the company needs a clear use case and a provider that is already recognised in the national research ecosystem.

No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Annual.