International Research Programs Application Announcement from YÖK

Applications for the “International Researcher Programs” launched by the Council of Higher Education to encourage doctoral students and researchers to conduct research at international standards in distinguished universities around the world will begin on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Within the scope of the “International Researcher Programs” launched by the Council of Higher Education to encourage doctoral students and researchers to conduct research at international standards in distinguished universities around the world,

The Young Minds Program (GEP) for sending up to 100 doctoral students working as Research Assistants abroad to conduct research on their thesis topics without any field restrictions,

Application Requirements:

- T.R. citizen and currently working as a research assistant in a state higher education institution,

- Having entered the thesis stage of doctoral education in priority fields determined by YÖK,

- To document the language exam result showing that the study will be conducted in the language of YÖKDİL, YDS, E-YDS or an international foreign language exam whose equivalence is accepted by ÖSYM within the last 3 years, with a score of at least 75,

- For male candidates, not having a military service (having completed military service, postponed or in a position to be postponed),

- Having started doctoral education within the last three years as of the application date,

- To receive an invitation letter from one of the universities that ranked among the top 700 in the world university rankings made 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 studies in the fields to be determined by the Council of Higher Education for at least one to at most three months.

Postdoctoral Research Program (DOSAP) for sending a maximum of 100 Research Assistants or Assistant Professors who have completed their doctoral education abroad for postdoctoral studies without any field restrictions,

Application Requirements:

- Research Assistants or Dr. who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey and have completed their doctoral education at a state higher education institution. To be working as a faculty member,

- To have received a doctorate degree within the last 3 years as of the application date,

- To document a language exam result showing that the student received at least 80 points from the YÖKDİL, YDS, E-YDS or an international foreign language exam accepted as equivalent by ÖSYM within the last 3 years, in the language in which the study will be conducted,

- For male candidates, not to have any military service obligations (having completed military service, postponed or in a position to be postponed),

- To receive an invitation letter from one of the universities that ranked among the top 700 in the world university rankings made 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 studies in the fields to be determined by the Council of Higher Education for a maximum of nine months.

Applications are now open for the Academic Accumulation Program (AKAP) for sending up to 200 faculty members abroad on sabbatical leave to conduct research in the priority areas of the 12th Development Plan listed below.

Application Requirements:

- T.R. Being a citizen and currently working as a faculty member in a state higher education institution,

- Being on paid leave periods within the scope of additional article 33 of Law No. 2547,

- Documenting a language exam result showing that the student received at least 80 points from YÖKDİL, YDS, E-YDS or an international foreign language exam accepted as equivalent by ÖSYM in the language in which the study will be conducted within the last 3 years,

- Receiving an invitation letter as a “Guest Researcher” or equivalent status from one of the universities that ranked in the top 700 in the last 3 (three) years in the world university rankings made by University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), Times Higher Education (THE), Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai) and World University Rankings (QS) to conduct academic studies in the priority areas of the 12th Development Plan for a maximum of nine months.

Priority Areas in the 12th Development Plan:

- Chemistry

- Medicine and Medical Devices

- Electronics

- Machinery

- Electrical Equipment

- Automotive

- Rail System Vehicles

Priority Development Areas in the 12th Development Plan:

- Agriculture and Food

- Energy

- Defense Industry

- Tourism

Researchers who want to apply must apply from the General Transactions --> YÖK Scholarships and Supports menu after logging in to https://yoksis.yok.gov.tr/ between Monday, March 24, 2025 and Friday, May 16, 2025.

In this context;

- The documents uploaded to the system by the researchers (study report and acceptance letter) through the system must be uploaded to the relevant university's