Strengthening Industrial Capacity in Defence Capabilities

Objective

Strengthening the industrial capacity of Bulgarian enterprises in defence capabilities through funding for production of dual-use items and defence-related products. Priority is given to projects related to dual-use items.

Eligible Applicants

• Micro, small, medium and large enterprises (traders under the Commercial Act)
• Registered no later than 31.12.2022
• Minimum 20% of 2024 revenues must come from eligible economic activities

Eligible NACE sectors:

• Section C: Manufacturing
• Section J (Division 62 or 63): Information and Communication Technologies
• Section M: Professional and Scientific Activities

Minimum average annual net sales revenue (2022-2024):

Grant Amount

Minimum amount: 51,129 EUR

De minimis regime — maximum amount:

Up to 300,000 EUR for all enterprise categories.

Regional investment aid — maximum amount:

Revenue-based caps:

Aid Intensity

De minimis regime:

70% for all enterprise categories.

Regional investment aid — outside Southwest region:

Southwest region (by district and category):

Eligible Activities

Production of:

• Dual-use items — listed under EU Regulation 2021/821
• Defence-related products — from the EU Common Military List

Examples of dual-use items:

Eligible Costs

• Machinery, equipment, facilities (tangible fixed assets)
• Construction and installation works — up to 50% of total eligible costs
• Software, patents, licences, know-how (intangible fixed assets)

For large enterprises under regional investment aid: intangible assets capped at 50% of total eligible costs.

How to Apply

• Electronic submission through the UMIS 2020 system
• Valid qualified electronic signature (QES) required
• Projects implemented in single NUTS-2 regions
• Maximum implementation period: 18 months