site.btaInnovation and Growth Ministry to Invest EUR 115 Mln in Satellite Communications, Business–Academia Projects in 2026

Bulgaria's Ministry of Innovation and Growth will invest nearly EUR 115 million in 2026 in national infrastructure for secure satellite communications and joint projects between businesses and academia. The funding will be allocated through eight new procedures under the Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation Programme. These measures were included in the indicative annual work programme approved by the committee monitoring the programme on Thursday, the Ministry said Friday.

Тhe national model for technology transfer is also expected to advance in 2026. Work on this model will begin at the end of 2025 with funding for the creation of a central hub for commercializing research results at Sofia Tech Park. Regional offices will be established next year to help local companies access innovative services across the country.

Under the Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation Programme, small grants will be available for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Companies will gain access to innovative services listed on the platform for cooperation between higher education institutions, research organizations, and business. The platform will offer free access to specialists, high-tech research facilities needed for innovative projects, and a range of specialized services. This measure builds on this year’s investments, which supported more than 100 companies.

Starting next year, the research environment in academic institutions will be modernized through the integrated territorial investment approach.

Construction will also start on a national communication centre for secure satellite communications and Earth observation. The centre will support Bulgaria’s participation in the EU’s GOVSATCOM programme, the Galileo Public Regulated Service, and the upcoming IRIS2 secure connectivity initiative. This will help improve crisis management, protect critical infrastructure in sectors such as energy, transport, and communications, enable faster and more secure data exchange between national and European institutions, and ensure reliable synchronization of telecommunications and financial systems.