This chapter traces the development of short-cycle higher education in Bulgaria. An emphasis is placed on (a) the evolution of nonuniversity short-cycle institutes and (b) the challenges of bridging the gap between secondary and higher education and creating links between vocational and academic learning pathways. The case study of Bulgaria may provide insights applicable to other postcommunist countries of Central and Eastern Europe, such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, and Estonia, where nonuniversity institutions and programs of shorter duration have faced similar challenges of recognition and incorporation since 1989. (Contains 1 table and 3 notes.)