TÜBA-TEKNOFEST Doctoral Science Awards

The TÜBA-Doctoral Awards, launched in 2021 by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), is an award program designed to support Türkiye’s advancement in science and encourage high-quality doctoral-level research. Each year, these awards are presented during the TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival to doctoral theses conducted in Türkiye that make significant contributions in specific thematic areas.

TÜBA has been a stakeholder in TEKNOFEST, one of the world’s largest technology festivals, since 2019. Aligned with its mission to support Türkiye’s scientific development, TÜBA advanced this collaboration in 2021 by establishing the “TÜBA-TEKNOFEST Doctoral Science Award” to further promote original and high-quality research by young scientists and contribute to Türkiye’s technology-driven development vision.

The TÜBA-TEKNOFEST Doctoral Science Awards are presented across four scientific disciplines:

1. Science and Engineering
2. Health and Life Sciences
3. Social and Human Sciences
4. Basic Sciences

Three awards are given in each category: first, second, and third place.

The awards cover doctoral theses that address topics directly contributing to Türkiye’s scientific and technological development, as prioritized by TEKNOFEST. Some of these thematic areas include:

• Technology and Design
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Autonomous Systems, Robotics and Mechatronics
• Modeling and Simulation
• Energy, Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
• Aerospace, Space and Unmanned Underwater Systems
• Information and Communication Technologies
• Cybersecurity and Cryptology
• Education, Health, Agriculture and Ecological Technologies
• Biotechnology
• International Relations, Development Policies, Education and Security Approaches within the context of the National Technology Initiative

Applications for the award can be submitted either individually or institutionally. In addition to individual applications, TÜBA members, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), TÜBİTAK, TÜSEB and university rectories may also nominate candidates. Applications are accepted exclusively through the online platform at the designated www.t3kys.com address. The fundamental eligibility criteria are as follows:

• The thesis must have been written in Türkiye and successfully defended in 2023 or 2024,
• Alignment with the thematic areas specified above,
• Correct selection of the application category (responsibility for category mismatch lies with the applicant),
• Applicants who applied in previous years may reapply if they provide documentation of new publications, patents, or products demonstrating improved performance since their prior submission.

All applications are evaluated by peer reviewers drawn from experts in the relevant fields, based on scientific criteria. Evaluation criteria include originality, level of contribution, appropriate use of scientific methodology, and the societal impact of the outcomes. Final decisions are made by the TÜBA Council.

The TÜBA-TEKNOFEST Doctoral Science Awards is a program designed to encourage the translation of academically produced knowledge in Türkiye into practical applications and the creation of societal value. By recognizing young researchers, the program supports their scientific careers and contributes to enhancing Türkiye’s scientific capacity.