Bulgaria’s Ministry of Innovation and Growth began seeking applications to a grant programme to boost adoption of Industry 4.0 measures, an initiative with a total pot of BGN106 million ($63 million) intended to advance digitalisation goals.

The nation is inviting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to apply for funding of between BGN150,000 and BGN850,000 to finance projects spanning Industrial IoT, digital twins, cyber-physical systems, AI, big data analysis, 3D printing, and virtual and augmented reality.

Bulgaria’s scheme forms part of its Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises Programme. The Ministry stated the move would “complement and build on the efforts to develop business digitalisation processes”.

SMEs have until 15 December to submit queries or applications through a dedicated online channel.

The Ministry noted the programme is structured in a way which allows “the grant to be combined with a financial instrument” with a budget of more than BGN90 million which will be administered by the Fund of Funds, a management system co-funded by the European Union.

Select partner banks are due to oversee the specific financial products on offer.