Bulgarian’ Views on the on the Funding of Science and Research

Atanas Atanasov

Abstract

The analysis of the data obtained from the survey on Attitudes to Bulgarian Science indicates that today Bulgarians have a generally realistic notion about the basic sources of funding for science and scientific research. Most of them (64,3%) believe that such resources are provided mainly through the state budget, while business and other sources (such as foreign agreements, EU funds, etc.) provide an insignificant amount of funding. The prevalent opinion is that the resources allotted by the state for research are highly inadequate and must be increased. In this respect it is necessary to create incentives for business to set aside funds for science and research by creating favorable conditions for intensifying innovative processes in the production of material goods and services.