1. “Enhancing transnational research & innovation cooperation in the Danube Region: Joint EUREKA – Danube-INCO.NET workshop” 11-12 December 2014, Vienna, Austria Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economics Freyung 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria

2. High-level Representative – Mr. Eli Anavi, Director of SMEs and Innovations Directorate, Ministry of Economy National Project Coordinator – Mrs. Bogdana Vatashka, Director of Programmes and Projects Directorate, BSMEPA EUREKA in BULGARIA

3. National Funding Body - Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency National Funding Programme – National Innovation Fund

4. National Innovation Fund Main goal To promote the scientific research and development activity of enterprises and to increase their competitiveness

5. National Innovation Fund Scientific research and development projects – focused on technological development of new products, processes and services, or on the significant improvement of existing products, processes or services - industrial research and experimental development Maximum grant – 500 000 BGN (EUREKA 1 000 000 BGN) Duration of the project – from 12 to 36 months

6. National Innovation Fund 2. Technical Feasibility Studies – explore the possibility for future realisation of a scientific research and development project. Maximum grant – 50 000 BGN Duration of the project – from 6 to 12 months NIF doesn’t finance ready to market innovations!

7. Requirements to the applicants and project proposals For beneficiaries:  Enterprises registered in Bulgaria under the Commercial Law;  Research organisations, Universities and Enterprises can participate as Partners. For projects: The Fund finances projects in all areas except for: - agriculture - fish industry - forestry The Fund does not finance investment projects – more than 60 % of the costs to be envisaged for purchase of machines/equipment. The maximum intensity of the subsidy – up to 80% of the eligible costs. Relative weight of the evaluation criteria: - innovativeness – 60 % - economic sustainability – 40 %

8. Eligible Costs Personnel costs; Depreciation Costs of instruments/equipment/machines; Costs of subcontractors; Costs of materials/consumables; Costs of intellectual property rights – only for SMEs; Audit Costs; Travel costs abroad;

9. TECHNOLOGICAL PRIORITIES – RIS3 Mechatronics and Clean technologies; ICT; Biotechnologies; Nanotechnologies; Creative industries; Pharmacy; Food processing industry

10. DANUBE REGION CALL The funding for EUREKA projects is provided upon application and positive evaluation within open call for proposals of NIF. New procedure envisaged for Danube region call Budget for the Danube region call – 2 mln. BGN (appr. 1 mln. Euro) – still not confirmed

11. Danube Region Project Example Eurostars-Project E!8213 TRIPLE-S Microscope Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland

12. EXPERIENCE WITH STRUCTURAL FUNDS Smarter Cluster Policies for South East Europe (ClusterPoliSEE) SEE/C/0008/1.3/X, financed under the OP SEE Implementation period: 1.5.2012 – 31.12.2014