The Institute for Parallel Processing (IPP) was founded in 1985 as Center for Informatics and Computer Technology (CICT), incorporating three laboratories: “Distributed Systems and Networking”, “High Performance Computer Systems and Algorithms for Parallel Processing”, and “New Principles for External Storage Devices”. Its first Director was Acad. Blagovest Sendov. The main objective of the Institute was to coordinate research efforts in the field of Computer Science and Computer Technologies and their applications, as well as to harmonize the scientific achievements of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgarian Universities with some Industry Institutes. The research results were meant to provide a final product usable in industry. CICT soon enlisted talented young mathematicians, computer engineers, computer scientists, linguists, radio engineers and other specialists. Their fundamental goal was R&D of modern computer systems and devices, as well as development of mathematical models for a wide class problems in different scientific fields and industry. The prime task of these methods was to provide design of software products and systems for optimal application of distributed computer resources. Soon after its foundation two new laboratories were established: “Linguistic Modeling” and “Signal Processing”.
After 1992, when market economy reforms made their way in Bulgaria, the goals of CICT changed. The new priorities of BAS brought about new changes in its structure. In 1996 the Center for Informatics and Computer Technology was renamed – it became Central Laboratory for Parallel Processing (CLPP). Some years later, in 2003, CLPP received new statute - Institute for Parallel Processing.