The Research-Oriented Mission Differentiation Program, launched by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in 2017, was initiated with the aim of supporting universities capable of adopting the mission of a research university—an approach with successful examples particularly observed in Europe. The program seeks to promote the production of high-quality knowledge in line with the country’s priority goals and fields, encourage interdisciplinary studies and collaborations, increase the number of doctoral-level researchers, and enhance the international visibility of Turkish universities.

Within the scope of the program, 16 public universities were supported between 2017 and 2021. In 2021, the program was revised, and as a result of comprehensive evaluations, foundation (non-profit private) universities were included for the first time. With this expansion, the number of Research Universities increased to 23.

Research Universities:

Ankara University, Atatürk University, Boğaziçi University, Bursa Uludağ University, Çukurova University, Dokuz Eylül University, Ege University, Erciyes University, Fırat University, Gazi University, Gebze Technical University, Hacettepe University, İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul University, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Izmir Institute of Technology, Karadeniz Technical University, Koç University, Marmara University, Middle East Technical University, Sabancı University, Yıldız Technical University

Research Universities Candidate Monitoring Program

Universities included in the Research Universities Candidate Monitoring Program: Akdeniz University, Gaziantep University, Kocaeli University, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Sakarya University, Selçuk University

Research Universities Support Program (ADEP)

In 2022, a total of 100 million TRY in funding was provided under the program, followed by 250 million TRY in 2023 and 400 million TRY in 2024. For 2025, a funding amount of 1 billion TRY is planned.

The Regional Development-Oriented Specialization Program is conducted in collaboration with the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), the Presidential Strategy and Budget Directorate, and the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

Call Periods and Participating Universities:

First Call (2016):

Bingöl University (Agriculture and Basin-Based Development),

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (Animal Husbandry),

Düzce University (Health and Environment),

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (Agriculture and Geothermal Energy),

Uşak University (Leather, Textile, and Ceramic Design)

Second Call (2018):

Aksaray University (Health and Sports),

Kastamonu University (Nature Tourism and Forestry),

Muş Alparslan University (Animal Husbandry),

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University (Tea),

Siirt University (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry)

Third Call (2019):

Artvin Çoruh University (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants),

Bartın University (Smart Logistics and Integrated Regional Applications),

Hitit University (Machinery and Manufacturing Technologies),

Kırklareli University (Food),

Yozgat Bozok University (Industrial Hemp)

Fourth Call (2021):

Batman University (Energy),

Giresun University (Hazelnut),

Gümüşhane University (Mining),

Iğdır University (High Value-Added Agricultural Products),

Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University (Precision Agriculture and Innovative Processing Technologies),

Munzur University (Strategic Raw Materials and Advanced Technology Applications),

Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University (Natural and Cultural Heritage Tourism)

Fifth Call (2023):

Bitlis Eren University (Tourism),

Çankırı Karatekin University (Sectoral Salt and Salt-Based Strategic Products),

Osmaniye Korkut Ata University (Renewable Energy and Battery Technologies)

Specialization in Priority Scientific Fields

The Specialization in Priority Scientific Fields Program aims to develop qualified human resources, increase scientific outputs, and enhance international cooperation at 25 universities in Türkiye that are specializing in 15 scientific fields identified as strategic priorities for the country.

Specialized Universities and Their Fields of Specialization:

Abdullah Gül University (Internet of Things),

Akdeniz University (Digital Technologies in Health),

Ankara Social Sciences University (Digital Social Sciences),

Atılım University (Hydrogen and Fuel Cells),

Çankaya University (Optics),

Eskişehir Osmangazi University (Digital Technologies in Health),

Eskişehir Technical University (Ceramic and Composite Materials),

Galatasaray University (Internet of Things),

Gaziantep University (Migration Studies),

Ibn Haldun University (Digital Social Sciences),

Istanbul Bilgi University (Migration Studies),

Istanbul Medeniyet University (History of Science),

Karabük University (Clean, Accessible and Secure Energy),

Kocaeli University (Engine Technologies),

Konya Food and Agriculture University (Digital Technologies in Agriculture),

Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University (Hydrogen and Fuel Cells),

Ondokuz Mayıs University (Food Biotechnology),

Pamukkale University (Surfaces, Coatings and Films),

Sakarya University (Information Security),

Selçuk University (Digital Technologies in Agriculture),

Sivas University of Science and Technology (Optics),

Süleyman Demirel University (Ceramic and Composite Materials),

Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University (Food Biotechnology),

TOBB University of Economics and Technology (Information Security),

Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University (Energy Storage)