Realistic Research Policy Of European Dimensions

The paper aims at delineating the directions of the research policy of UE–Varna on the eve of 90th anniversary of the establishment of the University. The presentation on that issue is preceded by an analysis of the main factors that have influenced the development and the state of the academic science of economics after 1990. According to the author, the change of the economic system and the democratic transformations in the country have created a greatly modified environment for the development of the University science of economics, which should be taken into consideration when formulating an adequate and realistic research policy. After a brief survey of the new directions of the research policy of the academic governing body in the conditions of Bulgaria’s full membership of the EU, according to the author there have been identified five key fields of research policy, on which our efforts should focus in perspective. Those are: greater purposefulness in the thematic orientation of research; broader use of the project/program - based principle and existing opportunities both nationally and internationally; creation of autonomous units for research activity in the structure of the University; differentiation of a „Research” fund and improving the administrative capacity of the Department of Research.