The Institute of Polymers at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IP-BAS) is a research unit within the „Nanosciences, New Materials and Technologies“ Division of the Academy. IP-BAS is the leading center in the field of polymer science in Bulgaria. Its activities include fundamental and applied research, expert activities and training of PhD students in the field of polymers and polymer materials. Ever since its foundation in 1990 the Institute purposefully has been seeking recognition as a center of excellence and integration into the European Research Area.