The Pilot Programme for Open Science in 2025-2026, supported by the Science Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Science is a part of Bulgaria’s national initiative to advance open and responsible science, funded through “soft measures” to strengthen the country’s research ecosystem.
The program is coordinated by the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IMI-BAS) in partnership with UNITe Center of Excellence, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, the National Center for Information and Documentation (NACID), and the NGO Links.
The project’s main objective is to provide open access to scientific knowledge—including data, datasets, publications, and methodologies—for researchers, librarians, IT professionals, and the public, enabling early use and reuse of research outputs. Specific goals include developing a collaborative model between academic, governmental, and non-governmental stakeholders, mapping institutional repositories, delivering targeted training programs, mentoring researchers, and integrating altmetrics and FAIR principles into research assessment.
Expected results include strengthened research capacity through workshops, mentoring, and pilot projects; enhanced understanding and implementation of open science principles; development of policy recommendations for academic and research institutions; creation of sustainable networks and communities of practice; and increased participation in European platforms such as EOSC and OpenAIRE. Outputs—such as publications, online resources, conferences, and training materials—will ensure long-term accessibility, visibility, and impact, supporting the growth of Bulgaria’s open science ecosystem.