TÜBİTAK National Technology Workshops

Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) has established an integrated scientific development ecosystem through its support grant and scholarship programs aimed at strengthening Türkiye’s scientific and technological infrastructure promoting a culture of science across all segments of society and cultivating qualified human resources in line with the goals of the National Technology Initiative.

This ecosystem is structured around four main pillars: enabling the experiential engagement of theoretical knowledge in physical centers disseminating science to the public through festivals and specialized training facilitating practical production among youth via competitions and clubs and expanding the pool of researchers through academic scholarships.

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TÜBİTAK provides various physical infrastructure supports to move science beyond the realm of theoretical concepts and make it accessible and applicable to society.

4003 Science Center Establishment Support Program: Encourages the construction of science centers funded by public resources that are non-profit and aim to connect individuals of all ages with science through interactive exhibits. The program primarily has municipal governments as lead implementers but also allows provincial governorships and universities to serve as lead institutions when necessary. It supports exhibition design production procurement educational unit equipment and architectural consulting services. Building construction and related infrastructure expenditures are outside the scope of support.

4003-T National Technology Workshops Project: National Technology Initiative aims to establish equipped workshops in all 81 provinces where students can develop scientific projects and technological innovations. The program is implemented in two phases: “Workshop Setup and Operation Period” and “Sustainability and Capacity Building.” The budget ceiling for this program is set at 30,000,000 TL.^【1】 In this structure incubation and technology centers serve as “Project Implementing Institutions” (PII) while state or foundation universities and public institutions assume the role of “Client Institutions” (CI) to provide administrative and academic coordination for the workshops. Laboratories established within Bursa Uludağ University focusing on electric vehicle battery technologies (BATEG) exemplify this model of integration between academic research and workshop activities.

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To promote the widespread adoption of a culture of science and enhance interaction between society and science and technology the “4000 Series” event support programs are implemented targeting different age groups and audiences.

• 4004 Nature Education and Science Schools: Focuses on natural sciences ecology and environmental awareness by applying scientific processes in outdoor and non-school learning environments.
• 4005 Support Program for Innovative Educational Practices: Targets educators including teachers and academics aiming to equip participants with innovative pedagogical methods such as artificial intelligence augmented reality and digital educational tools within their respective fields.
• 4007 Science Festivals Support Program: Supports large-scale events designed to raise public awareness of science. The program consists of two categories: “Science Festival” which includes at least 25 events and receives support up to 450000 TL and “Science Fair” which includes at least 60 events and receives support up to 1500000 TL.^【2】
• 4008 Inclusive Society Applications for Individuals with Special Needs: Supports inclusive science art and nature education initiatives aimed at promoting social integration and developing independent living skills among individuals with intellectual disabilities autism specific learning difficulties or physical impairments.

To directly involve young people in technology development processes non-institutional activities focused on teams or individuals are supported..

4001 National and International Competition/Event Participation Support: Finances the participation of students at high school associate degree undergraduate and postgraduate levels in domestic (4001-A) and international (4001-B) scientific competitions. Support items include registration fees transportation accommodation subsistence and expenses for consumables and equipment used for project development.^【3】

National Technology Clubs Union: Aims to unite student clubs focused on technology and innovation at universities under a common platform. Clubs operating in thematic areas such as artificial intelligence robotics aerospace nanotechnology and smart agriculture receive budget support up to 150000 TL for event organization mentor and speaker expenses and R&D needs such as equipment purchases including 3D printers.^【4】

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A range of scholarship opportunities are offered to cultivate research talent from undergraduate through postdoctoral levels.

2205 Undergraduate Scholarship Program: Provides financial support to students who achieve outstanding results in university entrance exams or win awards in national or international science olympiads encouraging them to pursue undergraduate studies in basic sciences and social and human sciences.^【5】

Graduate and International Programs: Current support mechanisms designed to promote academic production of scientific knowledge include the 2210 (Domestic Master’s) and 2211 (Domestic PhD) scholarship programs the “Public Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem” call targeting public institutions ARDEB 1001 projects and joint calls under the LUKE initiative within the framework of the ICGEB collaboration and the Ufuk Europe program.^{【6】【7】}