The 13th International Symposium for Immunology of Reproduction was organized under ReProForce FP7 Project by the International Coordination Committee for Immunology of Reproduction (ICCIR) and the Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction “Acad. K.Bratanov”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBIR-BAS). Continuing the tradition of the all previous twelve Symposia, the 13th Symposium took place at the “Fr.Joliot-Curie” International house of scientists (HIS) in Varna, Bulgaria. This tradition is based on the recognition of HIS as a place where in 1967 the First International Symposium on Immunology of Spermatozoa and Fertilization was held and the ICCIR was founded. The Symposium was attended by more than 100 researchers and specialists in the field of reproductive biology and immunology from 18 countries namely Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Hungary, France, Greece, Russia, UK, Japan, USA, China, Egypt, India, Ukraine.
The Symposium was opened by Prof. Rayna Georgieva, President of ICCIR as well as of the Symposium Organizing Committee and Leader of the WP3 of the ReProForce Project. The participants were honoured by the cordial greeting speeches of Prof. Guy-Andre Voisin (France), doyen of the Symposium and co-founder of ICCIR, of Prof. Dimitrina Kacheva, Director of IBIR-BAS and of Assoc. Prof. Margarita Mollova, Coordinator of the ReProForce Project. Special congratulation to the Symposium was sent by the name of the President of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

● Scientific programme
The scientific programme of the Symposium was organized in the form of plenary lectures by invited speakers, short oral presentation and poster sessions. During 3 days 33 plenary lectures, 5 short oral presentations and 72 posters in 3 sessions were presented. Plenary lectures were presented by world-renown scientist in the field of reproductive immunology:
- The basic and clinical data presented at the symposium were on the next general problems of the reproductive immunology: Gametes antigenicity and gametes interactions; Innate and adoptive immune mechanisms in reproduction; Immuno-endocrine interactions in reproductions; Mechanisms of immune regulation in implantation and pregnancy; Cytokines in implantation and pregnancy; immunological problems of infertility; Pregnancy loss and implantation failures; steam cells and reproduction and others. Two lectures were presented by BIO-RAD and ELTA 90 including new industrial products capable of enhancing the capacity of scientific and clinical research in reproductive immunology. After peer reviewing, all Symposium materials were published in special online issue of the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology.

- Prof. Rayna Georgieva presented his booklet, prepared especially for the symposium in English and Bulgarian, "History of reproductive immunology and the contribution of Bulgaria. Copies of the booklet were provided to the participants.
 
● During 23 June the ReProForce Working meeting was held with the participation of the project coordinator, scientific experts, WP leaders, representatives of the ReProForce supporting partners, experts - evaluators of the project.
- The meeting was chaired by coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Margarita Mollova who introduced the experts of the project evaluated by European Commission and thanks them that accepted the invitation to attend the 13 Symposium in Varna.
- ReProForce experts Prof. Vijay Pandey and Prof. Marcus Sperandio presented their research field and evaluation experience.
- ReProForce project supporting partners presented their views and discussions on future scientific strategy of IBIR.

● The evening of 24 June was dedicated to the Official Ceremony on:
- Awarding the “Kiril Bratanov” medal and the Certificate for contribution to the advancement of Reproductive Immunology and to ICCIR activities. The award was received by the following researchers: Prof.David Clark (Canada); Prof. Nelson Fernandez (UK); Prof.. Eytan Barnea (USA); Prof. Ian Surgent (UK); Prof. Raina Fichorova (Bulgaria, USA).

- The Special Honorary Award and Certificate for their organizational and scientific activity and significant contribution in the field of Reproductive Immunology received the following well known scientists: Prof.Guy-Andre Voisin (France); Prof. Caralyn Coulam (USA); Prof. Ivan Kehayov (Bulgaria).

- With Special Award Prof. Rayna Georgieva was honoured by the Leaders of IBIR-BAS for her scientific contributions in the field of reproductive immunology, for her efforts to develop and expand activities of ICCIR, for the organization of six International Symposia on Immunology of Reproduction and the expansion of the International Relationship of the Institute.
 
● During the last scientific session of the Symposium - 24.06, the best posters of young scientists were awarded with the Special Award "Professor Hans Donat" and Certificate. Prof. Hans Donat is a very first and very active member, who kindly donated the awards of the 6 posters presented by young people before 40 years.
The nominations were presented by the chairpersons of every Poster Session (two for session) and were accepted by Jury with members: Maciej Kurpisz (Poland), Zdenka Ulchova Gallova (Czech Republic), Vera Jonakova (Czech Republic), Margarita Mollova (Bulgaria).
The winners were hand to young scientists by chairwomen of the Jury - Assoc. Prof. Margarita Mollova, Coordinator of the ReProForce Project.

● Conclusion. The 13th International Symposium for Immunology of reproduction was another proof of the importance of the scientific investigations in the field of biology and immunology of reproduction in humans and animals and their role in the world basic science and clinical practice. The Symposium is the largest scientific event included in the program of ReProForce FP7 project. The Symposium created an opportunity for broad international contacts with scientists from 18 countries, including scientists from 10 European countries and representatives of supporting partner organizations of ReProForce, for broad exchange of latest scientific research, the possibility for creation of new scientific collaborations and increases the visibility of IBIR-BAS in world scientific community.