The Institute of Mathematics and Informatics (IMI) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) was created shortly after the end of WWII by the effort and high professionalism of a generation of Bulgarian mathematicians whom we now thankfully style the pivots of Bulgarian mathematics.

The date 27 October 1947 is rightly considered the birth date of the IMI. On this day the Executive Council (EC) of the BAS confirmed the plan of the scientific activity in 1947/1948. The section devoted to the mathematical sciences included the work of three commissions:

• Commission for demographic studies (Acad. K Popov),
• Commission for mathematical studies of the representative method in statistics (Acad. N Obrechkoff),
• Commission for financial mathematical research of state bonds and external bonds guaranteed by the state (Acad. K Popov),

as well as detailed individual plans by the mathematicians Acad. Ivan Tzenov, Acad. Ljubomir Tchakalov, Acad. Nikola Obrechkoff and Acad. Kiril Popov. This was the beginning of the implementation of the idea, discussed by the EC of the BAS already in 1945 (Protocol #14/01.08.1945), to create a branch for Natural Science and Mathematics within the Academy and develop research institutes for individual areas of science, including an institute for mathematics.

Fully in line with the dynamics of the time and the development of research in mathematical sciences, the organisation changed its name several times. In 1949 the Mathematical Institute (MI) was established at the Physical and Mathematical branch of the Academy and Acad. L Tchakalov was appointed as its head (Dnevnik 490/24.03.1949). The MI was renamed Mathematical Institute with Computing Centre (MI with CC) in 1961, Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics with Computing Centre (IMM with CC) in 1972, and Institute of Mathematics (IM) in 1994. The current name, Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, goes back to 1995.

On 27 June 1951 the EC of the BAS confirmed the first Scientific Council of the MI, including
     Chairman: Acad. N Obrechkoff;
     Secretary: Prof. B Petkanchin;
     Members: Acad. L Tchakalov, Acad. K Popov, Acad. I Tzenov, Prof. L Iliev, Prof. Y Tagamlitzki, Prof. G Bradistilov, Prof. A Stoyanov, Assoc. Prof. A Mateev (the titles of the members of the Council refer to the time of its creation).

List of the directors of the IMI:
     1947-1950   Acad. Lyubomir Chakalov
     1951-1963   Acad. Nikola Obreshkov
     1964-1988   Acad. Lyubomir Iliev
     1988-1993   Acad. Petar Kenderov
     1993-1999   Prof. Nikolay Yanev
     1999-2012   Acad. Stefan Dodunekov
     2012-....      Acad. Julian Revalski 

Since its creation in 1947 the IMI has been a leading Bulgarian centre for research and training of highly qualified specialists and exercising an efficient, long-range, consistent policy related to the fundamental trends in the development of mathematics, computer science and information technologies. Several facts of our history shall demonstrate the successful realisation of the IMI’s mission:

• In 1961 the first computing centre in Bulgaria was created on the MI’s premises.
• In the period 1962-1964 the first Bulgarian digital computer Vitosha was created.
• In 1965 the first electronic calculator Elka 6521 was created.
• In 1966 the Central Institute for Computing Technology was set up as an offshoot of the MI with CC.
• In 1977 the Institute for Mechanics and Biomechanics was set up as an offshoot of the IMM with CC.
• Members of the IM with CC’s staff formed the nucleus of the Coordinating Centre for Informatics and Computer Technology created in 1984 (currently the Institute for Parallel Processing).
• In 2000 the IMI set up the School Students’ Institute for Mathematics and Informatics jointly with the St Cyril and St Methodius Foundation,the Evrika Foundation and the Union of Bulgarian Mathematicians.
• In 2006 the National Centre for Digitalisation of Scientific, Cultural and Historic Heritage was created on the IMI’s premises.

A major part of the IMI’s policy is participation in Bulgarian educational programmes on all levels, so that the stable development of the scientific potential in the areas of mathematics and computer science can be guaranteed. The activities in this domain are manifold: training MSc and PhD candidates, outstanding school students (including coaching of the national teams in mathematics, informatics and mathematical linguistics), re-qualification of school teachers, preparation of undergraduate and postgraduate students for scientific work by directly involving them in research.

The IMI's renown in Bulgaria is attested by its direct contacts and collaboration with several non-governmental research and cultural institutions such as the: 

• Union of Bulgarian Mathematicians
• St Cyril and St Methodius Foundation
• Heureka Foundation
• Democratic Traditions Foundation
• Vasil Popov International Foundation
• America for Bulgaria Foundation
• American Foundation for Bulgaria
• Comunitas Foundation
• Bulgarian Society for Modelling and Simulation
• National Gallery of Fine Arts
• St Cyril and St Methodius National Library
• National Museum of History
  
• State Agency for Archives
• Federation of Scientific and Technical Unions
• Union of Bulgarian Cultural Centres
• etc. etc.

The Institute operates 16 permanent research seminars.

Four scientific and methodological journals are published by the IMI or with its cooperation.

A rich library is maintained, one among the best for mathematical sciences in Southeast Europe according to the opinion of the Institute’s many foreign visitors.

Thanks to the high professionalism of its staff, the IMI is integrated into the global scientific community and enjoys well-deserved repute. Each year the Institute welcomes over 200 renowned foreign scholars, organises more than 15 scientific conferences, seminars and schools.