International Research Programmes launched by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) aim to support PhD students and academic staff from Türkiye in conducting research at leading universities worldwide.

Applications for the 2026 call will be accepted in four separate terms. Within the scope of the programme, applications may be submitted under the following three sub-programmes:

• Young Brains Programme (GEP)

Eligible Applicants: PhD students employed as Research Assistants
Duration of Support: 1–3 months
Quota: Up to 100 participants

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a Turkish citizen and employed as a Research Assistant at a public higher education institution
• Must have passed to the dissertation stage of PhD studies in priority fields determined by YÖK
• Must have obtained a minimum score of 75 within the last 3 years from YÖKDİL, YDS, e-YDS, or an equivalent foreign language examination
• For male applicants, must have no military service obligation
• Must have started PhD education within the last 3 years
• Must have an invitation letter from a university ranked within the top 700 in global university rankings (URAP, THE, QS, Shanghai) in the last 3 years, to conduct academic research for at least 1 and at most 3 months

• Postdoctoral Research Programme (DOSAP)

Eligible Applicants: Research Assistants or Assistant Professors who completed their PhD within the last 3 years
Duration of Support: Up to 9 months
Quota: Up to 100 participants

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a Turkish citizen and employed as a Research Assistant or Assistant Professor at a public higher education institution
• Must have obtained a PhD degree within the last 3 years
• Must have obtained a minimum score of 80 within the last 3 years from YÖKDİL, YDS, e-YDS, or an equivalent foreign language examination
• For male applicants, must have no military service obligation
• Must have started PhD studies within the last 3 years
• Must have an invitation letter from a university ranked within the top 700 in global university rankings (URAP, THE, QS, Shanghai) in the last 3 years, to conduct academic research for up to 9 months

• Academic Accumulation Programme (AKAP)

Eligible Applicants: Assistant Professors applying under international academic leave (Sabbatical)
Duration of Support: Up to 9 months
Quota: Up to 200 participants

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a Turkish citizen and employed as a Assistant Professor at a public higher education institution
• Must be on paid academic leave under Article 33 (additional) of Law No. 2547
• Must have obtained a minimum score of 80 within the last 3 years from YÖKDİL, YDS, e-YDS, or an equivalent foreign language examination
• Must hold an invitation letter from a university ranked within the top 700 in global university rankings (URAP, THE, QS, Shanghai) in the last 3 years, to conduct academic research for up to 9 months
• Applications must be submitted to conduct research within the priority areas defined in the 12th Development Plan

• Priority Areas Defined in the 12th Development Plan: Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Electronics, Machinery, Electrical Equipment, Automotive, Rail Systems
• Priority Development Areas Defined in the 12th Development Plan: Agriculture and Food, Energy, Defence Industry, Tourism

APPLICATION CALENDAR FOR 2026 YÖK INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMMES (AKAP, DOSAP, GEP)

👉 Applications will be submitted via the YÖKSİS system.

👉 Further information about the announcement is available here.