TEKNOFEST Competition on Technological Applications in Psychology

TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition is a thematic contest designed to encourage technological innovations in psychology and ruh health with the aim of digitizing preventive and promotive mental health services. First held within the framework of the TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival, this competition seeks to generate innovative solutions that enhance individual psychological resilience, enable early detection of psychological risks, and improve access to psychological support services.

^{TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition (Photo: T3 Foundation)}

In line with the growing global importance of technology in psychology and psychiatry, the competition aims to develop technological applications that enhance the accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness of mental health services. Within this scope, the core objectives of the competition are as follows:

• Development of digital solutions to enhance psychological resilience and adaptability,
• Supporting the identification and assessment of psychological risks through artificial intelligence and digital tools,
• Facilitating access to psychological interventions through digital platforms,
• Creation of digital content that contributes to the acquisition and development of psychological skills,
• Integration of new measurement and evaluation methods into technology-based systems.

The competition encompasses applications targeting both intervention and preventive or protective mental health initiatives. Supported application areas include:

• Psychological skill development applications (mobile apps, web-based platforms, digital games),
• Smartphone-supported psychotherapy intervention programs,
• Internet-based psychotherapy services,
• Artificial intelligence-assisted psychological assessment and intervention systems,
• Virtual reality (VR)-supported therapy and assessment applications,
• Digital solutions supporting cognitive functions,
• Technology-based psychological measurement and evaluation tools,
• Psychophysiological measurement systems using wearable devices.

Students and graduates of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs from Türkiye and abroad, whether Turkish citizens or foreign nationals, are eligible to participate. Teams are limited to a maximum of 12 members, and advisors are not included in this count. Participants must apply as teams, not individually.

^{TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition (Photo: T3 Foundation)}

The competition features a comprehensive evaluation process consisting of three stages:

1. Project Preliminary Evaluation Report (PER): The overall framework, purpose, target audience and feasibility of the project are assessed.
2. Semi-Final Presentation: Projects that pass the preliminary evaluation present their ideas in detail to the jury.
3. Prototype and Final Presentation: Teams advancing to the final develop functional prototypes and are evaluated based on both technical performance and social impact.

The TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition aligns with Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative vision by integrating locally developed and national technologies into the field of mental health. In this context, the competition assumes a pioneering role not only in technical innovation but also in social innovation.

The TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition is an innovative and visionary initiative that brings together psychology and technology to support mental health at both individual and societal levels. It provides a unique opportunity for young people to transform their creative ideas into concrete projects while contributing to making mental health services more accessible, effective and sustainable.