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News

Bulgaria Transitions to Full Member of ELI ERIC

Bulgaria will transition to be a full Member of the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI ERIC). Following a three-year term as a Founding Observer, Bulgaria is the first country to transition from Observer to full Member. The ELI ERIC General Assembly unanimously approved the decision during their meeting in October.

Bulgaria Transitions to Full Member of ELI ERIC

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Bulgaria as a full Member of ELI ERIC,” said Allen Weeks, ELI ERIC Director General. “Bulgaria’s progress in laser research over the past few years supported by national investments have laid the foundation for deeper collaborations. We look forward to working with the enthusiastic young researchers and scientific community, and to see Bulgaria play a more active role in ELI.”



       Group photo from the Bulgarian ELI ERIC consortium event                           
Over the past three years as a Founding Observer, Bulgaria has significantly invested in its national laser research capabilities. With two new cutting-edge laser laboratories and upgrades to three others at the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Institute of Electronics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria is now equipped to actively engage in collaborative, high-impact research with ELI.

“Bulgaria has a long tradition in laser technology and research and the full membership in ELI ERIC is a critical step forward for our national scientific community,” says Deputy Minister Prof. Nikolai Vitanov. “This move allows us to fully participate in groundbreaking research and development projects while contributing to the future of laser science in Europe.”
 
ELI ERIC marks Bulgaria's first full membership in a research infrastructure focused specifically on laser science, positioning the country as a key contributor to this rapidly advancing field. This membership not only opens pathways for Bulgaria to contribute to cutting-edge research but also fosters the development of international collaborations. The opportunities afforded by this transition will further consolidate Bulgaria’s scientific infrastructure while reinforcing Europe’s leading position in this important domain. 

Bulgaria has been a full Member State of CERN since 1999 through which Bulgarian scientists participate in major experiments at CERN, such as the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Additionally, Bulgaria is also a member of several other European research infrastructures, including the Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI-ERIC), the European Social Survey (ESS ERIC) and the European Plate Observing System (EPOS).
 
(Header: Bulgarian laser physicist Tzveta Apostolova (right) at ELI ALPS)

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