It’s EMBL Day in Bulgaria!
Info-sharing event showcases the increasing opportunities available to Bulgarian scientists in EMBL’s newest prospect member state
On 27 February, with support from the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria and Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, EMBL hosted an Information Day in Sofia for Bulgarian researchers to learn more about what EMBL has to offer.
The event featured presentations from EMBL about various services, training opportunities, and highlights from its Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) project, as well as networking and informal discussions with EMBL representatives. Bulgarian scientists from various career stages received information specific to their research interests and expertise, and could talk with EMBL colleagues directly about the next steps in collaboration between EMBL and Bulgarian scientific communities.
Bulgaria joined EMBL as a prospective member state in 2024. This membership opens new, complementary opportunities for Bulgarian scientists to get involved with EMBL across its missions that span research, scientific services, advanced training, and innovation and translation.
“EMBL is composed of leading scientific nations and is known for its commitment to open-access research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technological advancement,” said Krasimir Valchev, Bulgarian Minister of Education and Science. “This partnership perfectly aligns with Bulgaria’s commitment to open-access science, knowledge exchange, and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers. Ultimately, this collaboration will drive economic growth, technological progress, and societal well-being, reinforcing Bulgaria’s position in the global scientific community.”
“It has been great to see the lively discussions during the EMBL Information Day, our first event in Bulgaria since the launch of the prospect membership. I believe the success of the event not only underscores the many shared interests between EMBL and the Bulgarian community, but also demonstrates how strongly EMBL’s missions and activities resonate in Bulgaria,” said Plamena Markova, EMBL’s Chief of International Relations. “We’re looking forward to continuing this exchange of scientific ideas and expertise on many levels. Bulgaria’s strengths in many areas are certain to fuel fruitful collaborations where we can address global challenges more effectively together.”
