Deadline: 17-Jul-2026
The TÜBİTAK–Slovakia collaborative research programme supports joint scientific projects between Türkiye and Slovakia across priority research areas including health, artificial intelligence, materials science, environment, and climate change. It aims to strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation, improve research quality, and translate scientific outcomes into innovation and societal benefits through structured international collaboration.
Programme Overview
This grant scheme is designed to bring together researchers from Türkiye and Slovakia to conduct joint basic or applied research projects. It promotes the sharing of research infrastructure, scientific knowledge, and complementary expertise between institutions in both countries.
The programme prioritises high-impact research that contributes to both scientific advancement and real-world applications.
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation between Türkiye and Slovakia
- Improve research quality through international collaboration
- Promote knowledge exchange between research institutions
- Facilitate access to complementary research infrastructure
- Support basic and applied research projects
- Translate research outcomes into innovation and societal benefits
- Enhance scientific capacity in priority thematic areas
Thematic Focus Areas
Eligible projects must fall within one or more of the following areas:
- Health and biomedical research
- Artificial intelligence in health applications
- Pharmaceuticals and drug development
- Sensor technologies and smart systems
- ICT for quality of life improvements
- Biomaterials and nanomaterials
- Functional materials and advanced materials science
- Climate change research
- Environmental science and sustainability
- Biodiversity and ecosystem protection
- Societal transformation and innovation
Projects outside these themes are not eligible for evaluation.
Funding Details
The programme provides joint funding for Turkish and Slovak partners:
- Turkish partners: up to TRY 3,750,000 per project
- Slovak partners: up to EUR 120,000 per project
- Project duration: up to 36 months
- Indicative total programme budget: EUR 360,000
- Expected output: approximately 3 funded research projects
Funding supports structured, multi-year international collaboration.
Eligibility Criteria
All proposals must meet the following requirements:
- Must involve at least one Turkish institution eligible under TÜBİTAK rules
- Must include at least one Slovak research institute from the Slovak Academy of Sciences
- Slovak principal applicant must be employed by a Slovak Academy of Sciences institute or centre
- All team members must meet institutional employment requirements
- Projects must be jointly developed by Turkish and Slovak researchers
Only eligible institutional partnerships are considered for funding.
Project Requirements
Successful proposals must:
- Focus on basic or applied research
- Address at least one eligible thematic area
- Demonstrate clear bilateral cooperation
- Include structured research methodology and timeline
- Show potential for scientific and societal impact
- Ensure effective use of shared research infrastructure
- Deliver measurable research outputs within 36 months
Expected Outcomes
The programme is designed to achieve:
- Stronger scientific cooperation between Türkiye and Slovakia
- Improved quality and visibility of joint research
- Enhanced innovation through cross-border collaboration
- Better integration of research into practical applications
- Increased knowledge transfer between institutions
- Development of long-term research partnerships
- Contributions to global scientific challenges
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is important because it:
- Strengthens international research collaboration
- Combines complementary scientific expertise and infrastructure
- Advances innovation in health, technology, and environment
- Supports applied research with real-world impact
- Enhances scientific competitiveness of both countries
- Encourages long-term institutional partnerships
- Supports solutions to global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applications may be rejected if they:
- Do not include required Slovak and Turkish partner institutions
- Fall outside the defined thematic areas
- Lack clear bilateral collaboration structure
- Provide weak or incomplete research methodology
- Do not demonstrate eligibility under institutional rules
- Fail to show scientific or societal relevance
- Ignore funding or duration constraints
Tips for a Strong Application
- Ensure strong collaboration between Turkish and Slovak partners
- Align the project clearly with eligible thematic priorities
- Define a clear research problem with measurable outcomes
- Demonstrate complementary expertise between institutions
- Include a realistic 36-month research plan
- Highlight innovation and application potential
- Ensure compliance with all eligibility and institutional rules
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for this programme?
Joint teams from eligible Turkish institutions and Slovak Academy of Sciences institutes.
What is the funding amount?
Up to TRY 3,750,000 for Türkiye and up to EUR 120,000 for Slovakia per project.
What is the project duration?
Up to 36 months.
What research areas are eligible?
Health, AI, materials science, environment, climate change, biodiversity, ICT, and related fields.
Are both countries required in every project?
Yes, each project must include both Turkish and Slovak partners.
What is the main goal of the programme?
To strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation and improve research quality and impact.
How many projects will be funded?
Approximately three projects based on the indicative total budget.
Conclusion
The TÜBİTAK–Slovakia bilateral research programme supports high-quality scientific collaboration across key global research domains. By combining expertise, infrastructure, and funding from both countries, it promotes innovation-driven research with strong potential for scientific advancement and societal benefit.
For more information, visit TÜBİTAK.
