The MODERN-A project is aimed at building a modernised academic ecosystem in a partner network. It will solve this task by developing and implementing high-tech solutions for learning and teaching, developing labour market-relevant competences, upskilling teachers, promoting interdisciplinary and inter-institutional academic initiatives, supporting mobility to foreign higher education institutions and scientific organisations, sharing resources. In the course of the implementation Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" will coordinate the efforts of 9 universities, 3 employers’ organisations and more than 20 associate partners. The broad scope of the consortium provides complementary expertise from different fields of knowledge and the economy as a user of staff trained in higher education institutions. The team focuses forces and resources exclusively on priority professional fields — pedagogy, physics, chemistry, mathematics and biotechnology. This concentration allows successfully to solve the tasks set by OP SESG to expand access to and improve quality in higher education in areas outlined in the analysis of the results of the rating system and their compliance with the requirements of the labour market (project BG05M2OP001-2.005-0001) and defined as key for the country in the policies of the Bulgarian government and the EU. The focus in priority areas is combined with a broad opening of opportunities for academic and professional development to a large range of end-users of grants: lecturers, including scientists and researchers, students, young people engaged in science, including students for the acquisition of an educational and scientific degree “doctor”, postdoctoral students and graduates. The time frame for the implementation of the proposed activities is 30 months, but their successful completion will allow for the creation of a sustainable model of cooperation that will be multiplied and upgraded beyond the end of the project.