International cooperation

The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has concluded over 45 bilateral agreements under the equivalent-free-exchange mechanism with international scientific organizations.

The administrative support to the agreements is carried out by the General Academic Administration of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences through the Department of International Relations.

The International Relations Department, established in 1957, fulfills the administrative functions required for many diverse international activities of the Academy which also include the coordination of national programs and of programs and projects involving some of the Bulgarian universities. The tasks of the Department consist in supporting international scientific cooperation and expanding the research prospectives of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences through the realization of opportunities for joint work of Bulgarian and foreign scientists.

In the day-to-day work of the Department, the exchange of research visits under bilateral agreements of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (the number of which exceeds 45), the administrative support for the Academy’s participation in the framework programs of the European Union as well as activities providing the membership of BAS in international organizations prevail.

The International Relations Department disseminates information among BAS units on the deadlines for submitting projects, opportunities for specialization abroad, international scientific prizes, opportunities for young scientists to participate in conferences abroad and others. The department also performs activities related to the provision of funds for business trips abroad and the reception of foreign scientists in Bulgaria, with the provision of visas, accommodation and transport. It  takes part in the organization of conferences, lectures, award ceremonies, presentations and others.