The Council of Ministers plans to spend €1,022,600 from the central budget in 2026 on 2,432 gifted children, the government press office said.
The money comes from the programme of measures to protect gifted children. A child can get a one-off payment of up to €99.70, or a scholarship of €69.02 a month for 12 months.
The programme is open to pupils at state, municipal and private schools. The one-off payment covers courses in the arts, science and sport, open-air art workshops, training camps, and entry to national and international contests, olympiads and sports competitions.
In the arts and science, children who finish first, second or third at national or international contests, olympiads and competitions are eligible. So are children who win a gold, silver or bronze medal at an international event.
In sport, support goes to children who finish first, second or third at the Olympic Games, or at world, European and Balkan championships. Winners of the finals of national individual championships or school games are also eligible.
Expert advisory panels for science, the arts and sport decide which contests, olympiads and competitions make the list. They choose events with high standards for winners that match how talent develops and shows in children and pupils. The panels also check whether the events spark pupils' interest in taking up these fields actively.
The chosen events take place during calendar year 2026.
Under the 2026 programme, 70 children will get a one-off payment and 1,144 will get scholarships. The sum also covers scholarships and one-off payments for 1,218 children under the 2025 programme.