- Call for young researchers who will develop the technologies of the future in Türkiye:

- CoHE President Özvar: “We invite our young people to become scientists who develop and produce Türkiye’s technologies”

“As our young people build their own futures, they will also contribute to Türkiye’s future”

September 8, 2026

Applications have opened for the Türkiye Strategic Technology Human Resources Program, launched by the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) to develop the qualified human resources Türkiye needs in strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, information technologies, and advanced computer systems.

The program aims to train 550 young researchers in its first year and bring around 3,000 researchers into Türkiye’s science and technology ecosystem by the end of five years.

Under the program, announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, young people will pursue PhD studies at Türkiye’s leading research universities while also being employed as research assistants. In this way, scientific research, academic careers, and Türkiye’s strategic technology objectives will be brought together within a single model.

“Human Capital Is at the Heart of the Technology Race”

CoHE President Erol Özvar offered the following assessment of the program’s importance for Türkiye’s long-term scientific and technological capacity:

“Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are further strengthening Türkiye’s capabilities in strategic technologies through qualified human resources. In today’s world, having access to technology is no longer enough. We need to train the people who will develop that technology. Through this program, we will train the scientists who will produce the technologies of the future and build strong capabilities in critical fields ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to advanced computer systems and chip technologies.

“Our goal with the Türkiye Strategic Technology Human Resources Program is to train researchers who will develop the technologies of the next 10 or 20 years. By bringing our young people’s scientific production together with the capacity of our research universities, we aim to strengthen Türkiye’s capacity for research, innovation, and technology development.”

“An Important Opportunity for Our Young People”

Speaking about why young people should apply to the program, Özvar said:

“This program offers an important opportunity for young people who are interested in scientific research, want to develop new technologies, and aspire to pursue an academic career. While pursuing their PhD studies, our young people will be able to take part in scientific production as research assistants.

“We invite them to generate new knowledge, conduct research, and develop the technologies of the future. The knowledge a young researcher develops in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or advanced computer systems today could add value to our country’s industry, economy, and society tomorrow.

“This is our message to young people: If you are curious about science, interested in research, and excited about creating and producing, take advantage of this opportunity. As you build your own future, you can also contribute to Türkiye’s future.”

- PhD Education and Research Assistant Positions in Four Strategic Fields

In the program’s first year, a total of 550 researchers will be trained in the fields of Information Technologies, Hardware and Computer Systems, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems. Young researchers will be admitted to PhD programs at research universities and appointed to research assistant positions in accordance with the relevant legislation.

The program aims to support the transformation of knowledge produced at universities into technology, products, patents, and economic value, while strengthening the pool of highly qualified researchers needed by the public and private sectors.

- Graduates from Different Disciplines Can Also Apply

The program is not limited to young graduates from computer science and software-related fields. In addition to graduates from a wide range of engineering disciplines who meet the admission requirements of the announced PhD programs, graduates of medicine, law, and other disciplines will also be eligible to apply to relevant programs. The aim is to bring the knowledge and expertise of young people trained in different fields together with strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, information technologies, and advanced computer systems.

- An Early Start to a Research Career Through an Integrated PhD

The program’s integrated PhD option will enable eligible young people to embark on their research careers at an earlier stage. In this way, young researchers will be able to pursue their graduate education in strategic technology fields within the academic environment of research universities while also becoming part of long-term research projects.

- Applications Open Until September 22

Candidates will be able to submit their applications electronically between September 8 and 22, 2026, through CoHE’s Application System for PhD Programs in Priority Areas. Candidates will be entitled to make a total of five choices from up to two different fields among the announced programs.

The centralized written examination will be administered by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) on November 28, 2026. Detailed information on application requirements, quotas, preferences, and evaluation procedures is available on CoHE’s official website.

Application link: https://basvuru.yok.gov.tr

What Is an Integrated PhD?

An integrated PhD is a graduate education model in which bachelor’s degree holders who meet the required admission conditions can begin PhD education directly without first completing a separate thesis-based master’s program. Under this model, students take advanced-level courses as part of the PhD program, conduct scientific research, and prepare their doctoral dissertations.

An integrated PhD offers an important opportunity for young people who wish to embark on a research career at an early stage. The specific conditions and quotas for integrated PhD applications under the Türkiye Strategic Technology Human Resources Program are set out in the program’s official announcement.