Established in 1991, the Applied Research and Communications Fund (ARC Fund) is the premier Bulgarian innovation policy and research institute. Our Mission is to drive the development of the knowledge economy in Bulgaria and Europe in line with the renewed Lisbon objectives; to promote innovation in the European economy and facilitate the transfer of new and advanced technologies and know-how; to support cross-border networking and capacity building of businesses, public agencies or private organizations, by using the advances in information and communication technologies. We pursue our mission by: - Conducting applied research and analyses that assist the development and implementation of public policies; - Introducing new policy concepts and innovative policy-making tools (e.g. foresight); - Promoting public policy consensus by bringing together the key actors in government, industry, academia and civil society; - Building capacity in various professional groups by providing specialized trainings and facilitating the transfer of knowledge and international good practice; - Enhancing the capacity of companies to innovate by providing technology brokering and consulting services; - Designing novel solutions to development problems by initiating pilot projects that demonstrate the values of technologies, including ICTs, in strengthening democratic governance, empowering civil society, and developing competitive businesses. We are the premier private Bulgarian research institute in terms of successful involvement in EU-funded projects under the framework programs for research and innovation, having participated in more than 100 projects since FP4.