As part of the “International Researcher Programs” launched by the Council of Higher Education to encourage doctoral students and faculty members to conduct research at world-class universities in accordance with international standards, applications for 2026 will be accepted in four (4) rounds. Applications for the 3rd Round began on Monday, August 3, 2026.
A) The Young Minds Program (GEP), which sends up to 100 doctoral students currently serving as research assistants abroad to conduct research on their thesis topics without any field restrictions,
Application Requirements:
1) Be a Turkish citizen and currently employed as a research assistant at a public higher education institution,
2) Have progressed to the thesis phase of doctoral studies in fields designated as priority areas by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK),
3) Provide documentation of a language test score of at least 75 in the language of the research, obtained within the last 3 years from the YÖKDİL, YDS, E-YDS, or an international foreign language exam recognized as equivalent by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM),
4) For male applicants, having no outstanding military service obligations (having completed military service, having deferred service, or being eligible for deferment),
5) To have begun doctoral studies within the last three years as of the application date,
6) To have received an invitation letter to conduct academic research for a period of at least one month and no more than three months in one of the universities ranked within the top 700 in the world university rankings published by University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), Times Higher Education (THE), Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai), and World University Rankings (QS) over the past 3 (three) years, to conduct academic research for a period of at least one and no more than three months in fields to be determined by the Higher Education Council.
B) The Postdoctoral Research Program (DOSAP), which supports the dispatch of up to 100 Research Assistants or Assistant Professors who have completed their doctoral studies to conduct postdoctoral research abroad without any field restrictions,
Application Requirements:
1) Be a Turkish citizen and currently employed as a Research Assistant or Assistant Professor at a public higher education institution after having completed a Ph.D.,
2) To have obtained a doctoral degree within the last 3 years as of the application date,
3) Provide documentation of a language test score of at least 80 in the language of the research to be conducted, obtained within the last 3 years from the YÖKDİL, YDS, E-YDS, or an international foreign language exam recognized as equivalent by ÖSYM,
4) For male applicants, have no outstanding military service obligations (i.e., have completed military service, have been granted a deferment, or be eligible for a deferment),
5) To have received an invitation letter to conduct academic research for a maximum of nine months in fields designated by the Higher Education Council at one of the universities ranked within the top 700 in the global university rankings published by University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), Times Higher Education (THE), Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai), and World University Rankings (QS) within the last 3 (three) years, to conduct academic research for a maximum of nine months in fields to be determined by the Higher Education Council.
C) Under the Overseas Academic Leave (Sabbatical) program, up to 200 faculty members will be sent abroad to conduct research in the priority areas outlined in the 12th Development Plan; the Academic Capital Program (AKAP),
Application Requirements:
1) Be a Turkish citizen and currently employed as a faculty member at a public higher education institution,
2) Be on paid leave as defined in Article 33 of the Additional Provisions of Law No. 2547,
3) Provide documentation of a language test score of at least 80 in the language of the research to be conducted, obtained within the last 3 years from the YÖKDİL, YDS, E-YDS, or an international foreign language exam recognized as equivalent by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM),
4) To have been ranked among the top 700 in the world university rankings published by the University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), Times Higher Education (THE), Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai), and World University Rankings (QS) within the last 3 (three) years, to conduct academic research in the priority areas outlined in the 12th Development Plan for a maximum period of nine months, as a “Visiting Researcher” or in an equivalent capacity.
Priority Areas in the 12th Development Plan:
1) Chemistry
2) Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
3) Electronics
4) Mechanical Engineering
5) Electrical Equipment
6) Automotive
7) Rail Vehicles
8) Agriculture and Food
9) Energy
10) Defense Industry
11) Tourism
The application schedule for the third round of 2026 is provided below. Researchers applying to these programs must prepare the required documents and complete their preparations in accordance with the specified schedule.
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