The Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation has published a draft for public discussion for an update of the The Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization 2021–2027 (ISIS).
The changes are important for the applicants under funding programs, as the ISIS determines the national and regional priorities for research, innovation and technological transformation. In a number of procedures, compliance with the strategy can be relevant for the project’s eligibility, its regional prioritization or evaluation.
See more about ISIS, its thematic areas and what regional specialization means in POLEZNO on Fininfo.bg here.
What will change:
From five to seven thematic areas
One of the main proposed changes is the expansion of the thematic areas of ISIS. To the current five areas are added:
- Space technologies and technologies with dual use – It includes satellite systems and applications, remote Earth observation, navigation and communications, ground-based space infrastructure, autonomous and unmanned systems, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and technologies with civil and defense applications.
- Extraction industry – with a focus on critical and strategic raw materials, technologies for sustainable extraction and processing, recycling and recovery of critical raw materials and their inclusion in European strategic value chains.
ICT becomes a horizontal priority for all geographical areas
In the current strategy „Clean Technologies, Circular and Low-Carbon Economy“, horizontal priority is given to all 28 regions. The project proposes that this role be taken over by „Information Technology and ICT“.
Thus, digital technologies, data and artificial intelligence are being promoted as a common priority for the entire country, while „Clean technologies, circular and low-carbon economy“ remains among the priorities only for the regions that are included in their regional profiles.
Regional priorities are also changing
The regional profiles have been revised after consultations with all 28 regions and an analysis of the projects actually funded, including under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme and the Research, Innovation and Digitalisation Programme for Smart Transformation.
As a result, „Mining Industry“ is added among the priorities of the Pazardzhik and Sofia regions, while in other regions the combinations of thematic areas are changed.
„Space and dual-use technologies“ is envisaged as a national-scale field of study.
Stronger focus on strategic technologies
The project focuses on strategic technologies and raw materials, including:
- artificial intelligence and high-performance computing;
- Microelectronics;
- cybersecurity;
- space technologies;
- dual-use technologies and defense-related innovations;
- critical and strategic raw materials;
- clean technologies and industrial decarbonization.
Stronger technological transfer is also envisaged through support for spin-off companies and high-tech start-ups, access to scientific and technological infrastructure, and a more active use of innovation by the public sector.
The draft change to the SIS has been published for discussion The portal for public consultations.
By 20.09.2026, representatives of business, scientific and educational organizations, local authorities, the non-governmental sector, and other interested parties may submit proposals and opinions.