TÜBİTAK · National Support Programmes
A state that supports R&D
acts on the right file.
TÜBİTAK national support programmes offer R&D grant funding to a broad spectrum of organisations — from industrial companies and SMEs to large-scale firms and entrepreneurs. Designing the right budget and project content is as decisive as choosing the right programme. Akbaş takes ownership of the entire process.
Supporting Institution
TÜBİTAK
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye
Programme Scope
TÜBİTAK national support programmes are among the most comprehensive public funding sources for R&D and innovation activities through grant financing. They offer applicable programmes for every scale and sector — from direct project support for industrial companies to early-stage grants for the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Akbaş stands alongside companies at every stage: from determining which programme is eligible for application, to structuring the project budget, technical reporting and monitoring processes. Not only the success of the application but also the sustainability of the project is managed.
TÜBİTAK evaluation criteria relate not only to technical content but also to project economics, commercial viability and innovation level. The file must carry all three dimensions together.
National Support Programmes
The right programme for every company.
TÜBİTAK's industrial R&D support framework consists of four core programmes. The size of the company, the maturity of the project idea and the target R&D field determine which programme should be considered first.
Industrial R&D Projects Support Programme
Direct grant support for R&D projects carried out by industrial companies. High upper limit per project; evaluation is conducted on the basis of technical content and commercial viability.
Industrial companies of any scale with R&D capacity
SME R&D Start-Up Support Programme
Start-up support for SMEs that have not yet institutionalised an R&D culture. Shorter project duration, faster evaluation process and a budget structure tailored to SME scale.
SMEs new to R&D or preparing their first project
Priority Areas Research, Technology Development and Innovation Projects
Project calls targeting technology areas designated as strategic priorities by the state. High-budget grant opportunities in critical sectors such as defence, energy, health and digital transformation.
Industrial companies conducting R&D in priority technology areas
Technology Entrepreneurship Capital Support Programme
Grant and mentoring programme for individual applicants with technology-based business ideas and early-stage ventures. Phased support from business plan development through to field implementation.
Individuals with technology-based business ideas and early-stage ventures
Grant Coverage
Eligible expense
categories covered by the grant.
Eligible expense categories in TÜBİTAK programmes differ by programme. Structuring the budget correctly is critical both for reaching the maximum grant amount and for eliminating audit risk.
Personnel Costs
Gross salary and social security expenses of researchers, technicians and support staff assigned to the R&D project. Documented via a project-based timesheet; the largest share typically falls under this category.
Equipment, Instruments and Software
Acquisition costs of machinery, measurement devices, prototype equipment and licensed software to be used directly within the project scope. Fixed-asset purchases are eligible only for the portion attributable to the project.
Materials and Consumables
Raw materials, samples, chemicals and consumables used in R&D activities. Each expenditure must be linked to a technical report; it must not be confused with general production materials.
Travel and Accommodation
Domestic and international travel costs within the project scope; participation costs for conferences, technical visits and collaboration meetings. This category becomes prominent in projects involving international cooperation.
Consultancy and Service Procurement
Technical consultancy services procured from universities, research centres or specialist organisations. Some programmes apply an upper limit; correct apportionment directly affects budget efficiency.
Project Management and Overhead
Management activities attributable to the project and office and infrastructure usage costs. Accepted within proportional limits that vary by programme; cannot exceed a defined percentage of the total budget.
Working Process
From idea
to grant payment.
A TÜBİTAK application is not simply a matter of filling out a form. Designing the project content, structuring the budget and anticipating evaluator questions in advance directly determines the success rate.
Eligibility Analysis and Programme Selection
The company's R&D capacity, the maturity level of the project idea and the sector are assessed. Which programme is applicable, the expected grant amount and possible grounds for rejection are determined at this stage. Selecting the wrong programme means wasting application effort.
Project Design and Budget Structuring
R&D objectives, work packages, milestones and outputs are structured in accordance with regulations. The budget is structured with eligible expense categories in mind, targeting the maximum grant amount. The project content is critically reviewed through the eyes of an evaluator.
Application Preparation and TÜBİTAK Follow-Up
The project proposal, application form and supporting documents are prepared in full. Presentation and defence support is provided for the TÜBİTAK panel evaluation. Requests for additional information and revisions are handled by Akbaş.
Monitoring, Reporting and Project Closure
Once the project is approved, the process does not end. Periodic technical and financial reports are prepared, readiness for TÜBİTAK monitoring visits is ensured, expenditures are documented and the project is managed through to closure. Achieving a clean closure without audit findings is also a matter of expertise.
Measurable Results
Every project
leaves a measurable mark.
Every approved TÜBİTAK project directly reduces the company's R&D costs and cumulatively grows its innovation capacity. These figures show the scale of that accumulation.
A grant is not a windfall — it is a right. Without the right project design, that right goes unclaimed.
Total grant value of approved TÜBİTAK projects.
Successfully concluded projects across different sectors and scales.
Rate of applications prepared that received a positive outcome from TÜBİTAK.
Active experience across all four programmes: 1501, 1507, 1511 and 1512.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions
in TÜBİTAK applications.
Can companies without an R&D centre apply to TÜBİTAK?
Yes. Programmes 1501, 1507 and 1511 do not require companies to have an established R&D centre or R&D unit. It is sufficient for the company to conduct R&D activities within the scope of the project. However, the technical content and R&D character of the project must be convincing to the evaluation panel.
How long does it take from application to grant payment?
It varies depending on the programme and call schedule. Including the panel evaluation and contract process, the average time from application to first payment is six to twelve months. This period may require the company to start and advance the project using its own resources; financial planning should be done before submitting an application.
Is prior experience with TÜBİTAK projects required?
No. Programme 1507 is specifically designed for SMEs applying for the first time. Prior project experience is not mandatory under 1501 and 1511 either; however, the company's technical infrastructure and human resources do feature in the evaluation criteria.
Can the project scope be changed after approval?
It is possible under certain conditions. Personnel changes, budget line revisions and time extensions can be made with TÜBİTAK approval. However, fundamental revisions that alter the project's core objectives and innovation content are not accepted. Change management must be handled with care.
Who owns the intellectual property generated in a grant-funded project?
Under TÜBİTAK national programmes, intellectual property rights belong to the company executing the project. TÜBİTAK does not claim any share. However, the contract may include obligations to share certain project results with the public through specific platforms.
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