State funding for research in Bulgaria was only 0.25% of GDP last year, despite commitments, outlined in the National Scientific Research Strategy, to reach 0.50% in 2021 and 0.70% in 2022. 

This is stated in the Annual Report on the Status and Development of Research in Scientific Organizations and Higher Education Institutions in 2021. According to the report, business invests in science more than the state, but private funding is almost entirely for applied research, not basic research, and so the funds remain in enterprises. Another problem mentioned is the advanced age of researchers and the ineffective management of the achievements and their marketing.