About Us

Where it all started?

Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, established in 1881, is the oldest technical educational institution in the Republic of Bulgaria. Located in the maritime capital of Varna, the Academy holds a prestigious place among European naval and maritime institutions. With a distinguished tradition of over 140 years, it has been a cornerstone in the training of naval officers and maritime professionals, not only for Bulgaria but also for allied and partner nations.

Educational facilities

As a leading higher education and research institution, the Naval Academy is fully accredited and offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in naval science, maritime security, engineering, and information technology. The Academy integrates military precision with academic excellence, providing state-of-the-art facilities, simulators, and laboratories that support cutting-edge research and applied science.

Scientific achievements

Its scientific activity is deeply intertwined with the national and international maritime community, contributing to research in areas such as marine safety, cybersecurity, navigation, and the integration of advanced technologies in defense and civilian applications. The Academy is an active participant in European research projects and maintains robust partnerships with universities and research centers worldwide.

The Academy plays a strategic role as a trusted partner in national and international defense initiatives, actively participating in projects under the auspices of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence, NATO, the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European Defence Fund (EDF), and the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP). Through these collaborations, the Naval Academy contributes to the development of innovative defense capabilities, maritime situational awareness, dual-use technologies, and resilience in complex operational environments.

Meet our teem members

Miroslav Cvetkov

Vice rector of NVNA

Iordan Sivkov

Head of Department

Veselin Atanasov

Research office

Wanna know more about our Research Activities?