TÜBA-TÜBİTAK Uzbekistan Aziz Sancar Research Fellowship Programme

The TÜBA-TÜBİTAK Uzbekistan Aziz Sancar Research Fellowship Programme supports doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from Uzbekistan to conduct research in Türkiye. The programme provides monthly financial support of up to 32,500 Turkish Liras for doctoral researchers and 43,500 Turkish Liras for postdoctoral researchers while promoting scientific collaboration between Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

Overview of the TÜBA-TÜBİTAK Uzbekistan Aziz Sancar Research Fellowship Programme

The TÜBA-TÜBİTAK Uzbekistan Aziz Sancar Research Fellowship Programme is an international research mobility initiative designed to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation between Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

The programme provides opportunities for Uzbek doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers to undertake research activities at institutions in Türkiye and develop long-term academic and scientific partnerships.

The fellowship supports researchers during and after doctoral studies by providing financial assistance, research mobility opportunities, and access to Türkiye’s scientific ecosystem.

Objectives of the Fellowship Programme

The programme aims to:

• Promote research cooperation between Türkiye and Uzbekistan.
• Support international scientific exchange.
• Strengthen collaboration between universities and research institutions.
• Encourage advanced research in priority scientific fields.
• Build long-term academic partnerships.

Available Fellowship Support

The programme provides monthly stipends based on the applicant category.

Doctoral Research Fellowship

Eligible doctoral researchers will receive:

• Monthly stipend: 32,500 Turkish Liras.
• Research duration: 6 to 12 months.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Eligible postdoctoral researchers will receive:

• Monthly stipend: 43,500 Turkish Liras.
• Research duration: 12 to 36 months.

Eligible Research Fields

Applications are accepted from researchers working in the following disciplines:

Basic Sciences

• Biology.
• Physics.
• Chemistry.
• Mathematics.
• Molecular Biology and Genetics.

Engineering Sciences

• Engineering-related research fields.

Astronomy, Earth and Space Sciences

• Astronomy.
• Earth sciences.
• Space sciences.

Information Technologies

• Information technology-related research areas.

Agricultural Sciences

Eligible agricultural research areas include:

• Agriculture.
• Food science.
• Animal science.
• Veterinary sciences.

Social Sciences

Eligible social science fields include:

• International Relations.
• Political History.
• Educational Sciences.
• Research related to Ali Shir Navai.

Priority consideration may be given to researchers working on Ali Shir Navai-related research during the selection process.

Who Is Eligible?

The fellowship programme is open to:

• Doctoral researchers from Uzbekistan.
• Postdoctoral researchers from Uzbekistan.

Applicants must meet nationality, residency, academic, and age requirements.

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of Uzbekistan.
• Permanently reside in Uzbekistan.
• Not hold dual citizenship.
• Not have previously held Turkish citizenship.
• Not have temporary or permanent residency in Türkiye or any country other than Uzbekistan.
• Not currently live in Türkiye.
• Provide a reference letter from an approved Uzbek institution.

Accepted reference letter providers include:

• Uzbek Government public institutions.
• Universities in Uzbekistan.
• Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences.

Applicants must also:

• Not have previously received support from this programme.
• Not have received funding under the 2216 Research Fellowship Programme for International Researchers.

Doctoral Researcher Eligibility Criteria

Doctoral applicants must:

• Be enrolled in a doctoral programme at a higher education institution in Uzbekistan.
• Study in one of the eligible research fields.
• Have successfully completed the PhD qualifying examination, or
• Be at an advanced stage of doctoral research.
• Be 35 years old or younger as of 31 December of the application year.

Postdoctoral Researcher Eligibility Criteria

Postdoctoral applicants must:

• Hold a PhD degree in an eligible research field.
• Be 45 years old or younger as of 31 December of the application year.

If the official PhD diploma is not yet available, applicants may provide:

• Temporary graduation certificate, or
• Official confirmation of graduation.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit all required documents through the official online application system using the specified formats.

Documents Required for All Applicants

Applicants must provide:

• Scanned copy of passport identity page.
• Scanned copy of passport visa page.
• Research proposal form.
• Reference letter from an approved Uzbek institution.

Additional Documents for Doctoral Applicants

Doctoral researchers must submit:

• Recent registration certificate confirming doctoral enrolment.
• No Objection Certificate.
• Evidence of successful completion of PhD qualifying examination or advanced doctoral research status.

Additional Documents for Postdoctoral Applicants

Postdoctoral researchers must submit:

• Official PhD diploma copy, or
• Notarized PhD diploma copy, or
• Temporary graduation certificate, or
• Official graduation confirmation document.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm that you meet:

• Uzbekistan citizenship and residency requirements.
• Age limits.
• Academic qualifications.
• Research field requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Research Proposal

Applicants should develop a clear research proposal explaining:

• Research objectives.
• Methodology.
• Expected outcomes.
• Contribution to scientific cooperation between Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

Step 3: Collect Supporting Documents

Prepare:

• Passport documents.
• Academic certificates.
• Registration or PhD documents.
• Reference letter.
• Research proposal.

Step 4: Submit Online Application

Upload all required documents through the designated online application system.

Applicants must ensure:

• Documents follow required formats.
• Information is accurate and complete.
• Mandatory files are included before submission.

Step 5: Fellowship Period and Research Activities

Selected researchers will conduct approved research activities in Türkiye during the funded period.

Why It Matters

The TÜBA-TÜBİTAK Uzbekistan Aziz Sancar Research Fellowship Programme provides important opportunities for international research collaboration.

The fellowship helps researchers by:

• Supporting advanced scientific research.
• Improving international academic cooperation.
• Providing access to research environments in Türkiye.
• Encouraging knowledge exchange between Uzbekistan and Türkiye.
• Supporting future scientific leaders.

The programme contributes to stronger connections between research communities and promotes innovation across multiple disciplines.

Common Application Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without meeting residency requirements.
• Missing mandatory documents.
• Submitting incomplete research proposals.
• Providing outdated academic certificates.
• Ignoring age eligibility rules.
• Uploading documents in incorrect formats.

Application Tips

Applicants should:

• Start preparing documents early.
• Ensure reference letters come from eligible institutions.
• Clearly explain the research importance and expected impact.
• Review all eligibility requirements before submission.
• Keep copies of submitted documents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the TÜBA-TÜBİTAK Uzbekistan Aziz Sancar Research Fellowship Programme?

It is a research fellowship programme that supports doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from Uzbekistan to conduct research in Türkiye.

2. How much funding do doctoral researchers receive?

Doctoral researchers receive a monthly stipend of 32,500 Turkish Liras for a research period of 6–12 months.

3. How much funding do postdoctoral researchers receive?

Postdoctoral researchers receive a monthly stipend of 43,500 Turkish Liras for 12–36 months.

4. Who can apply for the fellowship?

Eligible applicants are Uzbek citizens permanently residing in Uzbekistan who are doctoral researchers or postdoctoral researchers in approved fields.

5. What research areas are supported?

The programme supports fields including basic sciences, engineering, astronomy, earth and space sciences, information technologies, agricultural sciences, and selected social sciences.

6. Can researchers currently living in Türkiye apply?

No. Applicants must not currently reside in Türkiye and must not hold temporary or permanent residency outside Uzbekistan.

7. What documents are required for application?

Applicants must submit passport documents, research proposal, reference letter, and academic documents depending on whether they are doctoral or postdoctoral researchers.

Conclusion

The TÜBA-TÜBİTAK Uzbekistan Aziz Sancar Research Fellowship Programme provides valuable research mobility opportunities for Uzbek doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. Through financial support, international collaboration, and access to research opportunities in Türkiye, the programme helps advance scientific innovation and strengthen academic partnerships between the two countries.