Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute (VCRI) is a unique entity in Bulgaria in the field of vegetable growing, a part of Bulgarian Agricultural Academy. The scientific staff of Maritsa VCRI consists of 26 researchers (14 Senior scientists and 20 possess PhD-degree) and above 100 specialists and workers. The Institute comprises four major units – Breeding Department, Technology for Growing Department, Vegetable Crops Improvement Center and Technology Transfer Office. The priority investigations of the Institute during the last years emphasize on vegetable quality by improving biological value and sensory characteristics, pest and diseases resistance, high temperature and drought tolerance. A great diversity of vegetables species including domestic forms and varieties, introduced cultivars, breeding lines, wild species etc. are subjected of investigations in order to preserve or to transfer their valuable characters in new varieties and hybrids. Integrating systems for pest control as well as utilization of useful microorganisms as alternative solutions for soil fertility management are the topics of primary importance.

During the last years Maritsa VCRI implement successfully numerous nationally and EU-funded projects, including projects within: 
FP6 (PL 016214-2 EU-SOL High Quality Solanaceous crops for consumers, processors and producers by exploration of natural biodiversity, Grant amount 100 000 euro);
 FP7 (205941 EU-BALKANVEGETABLES Balkan Vegetable Research Centre for Transfer of European Knowledge, Research and Practice – Grant amount 1 000 000 euro); 
Several projects, subsidized by Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science – 777 274 euro.