Winners of school Olympiads and contests, and medallists from Olympic, world and European championships, will be able to apply to universities with a score based on their awards, starting in Grade 11, the Council of Ministers press office said.

The government has changed the rules on admitting students to Bulgarian universities. Until now, an award counted towards an applicant's score and ranking only if they won it in the year they finished secondary school. The change brings the rules in line with the Higher Education Act.

Universities give winners of national and international Olympiads the top mark of 6.00 in the entrance exam for the Olympiad subject.

On 17 September, prime minister Rumen Radev presented awards to students in the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers. They won medals at international science Olympiads in 2026. Radev said the students open a window of opportunity for Bulgaria to become a high-tech country, and for talent, science, quality education and the industries of the future.