FinMin Threatens Bulgarian Science Academy with Even More Budget Cutting

The state budget financing of Bulgaria's Academy of Sciences will be cut even more drastically in 2013, the country's Finance Minister Simeon Djankov revealed on Wednesday.

In 2012, the Academy will receive BGN 5 M less from the state budget than in 2011, it was recently made clear. The 9% budget cut triggered a massive protest, as hundreds of researchers walked out on Tuesday with nooses around their necks to demonstrate what it would do to Bulgaria's oldest research institution.

The Academy's budget has now been reduced to little over BGN 50 M (approximately EUR 25.5 M), what researchers claim is well below the sanitary minimum required for even payment of salaries and bills.

"Instead of hitting the streets, they could set about doing EU projects. There are nearly EUR 400 M meant for scientific research in Bulgaria which the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences does not use," Djankov commented on Tuesday's protest, suggesting the researchers may not speak English or lack the skills to develop projects.

The Finance Minister further pointed out that one third of the Academy's budget should be divided in three, with one third coming from the state budget, one third from EU funding and one third from research and development activities carried out in collaboration with the business.

"Currently, 65% is secured from the state budget and 35% - from something else,"Djankov clarified.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!