The 2026 Strengthening the Creative Economy Financial Support Programme, launched by the Istanbul Development Agency, aims to strengthen Istanbul's creative industries ecosystem, enhance the production capacity for creative products and services, and increase the national and international visibility of Istanbul's identity as a creative city.

Under the programme, support will be provided particularly for the development of production infrastructure in creative sectors, strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation, the use of creative technologies, internationalisation, and innovative practices that reinforce Istanbul's creative identity.

📅 Call Timeline

• Application opening date: 22 September 2026, 23:59
• Application deadline: 4 December 2026, 23:59
• Deadline for submission of the Letter of Commitment: 11 December 2026, 17:00

🎯 Programme Objective and Priorities

The overall objective of the programme is to increase the contribution of creative industries to sustainable economic development, strengthen cooperation and coordination among stakeholders in the ecosystem, and enhance the production capacity for creative products and services.

The programme also aims to increase the national and international visibility of Istanbul's creative city identity and distinctive cultural values.

The programme has two main priorities:

• 1. Increasing production capacity within the cultural and creative ecosystem
• 2. Strengthening Istanbul's creative city identity

✅ Eligibility

The following institutions and organisations are eligible to apply under the programme:

• The Governor's Office, District Governorates, and provincial/regional directorates and presidencies of public institutions,
• Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and district municipalities,
• Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Istanbul Chamber of Industry, Chamber of Shipping, and Istanbul Commodity Exchange,
• Professional organisations, unions, chambers, and professional bodies with public institution status,
• Organised Industrial Zones and non-profit cooperatives,
• Associations, foundations, unions, trade unions, federations, and confederations,
• Universities, institutes, and faculties,
• Research infrastructures established under Law No. 6550,
• Technology Development Zone management companies,
• Technology Transfer Office companies.

💰 Funding Amount and Budget

• Total programme budget: TRY 300 million
• Minimum support per project: TRY 5 million
• Maximum support per project: TRY 20 million
• Maximum funding rate: 75%
• Project duration: 12-18 months
  ISTKA support may not be less than 25% or more than 75% of the total eligible project costs.

📝 Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through the Development Agencies Management System (KAYS).

📍 Information Meeting
The first information meeting under the programme will be held as follows:

• Date: Friday, 2 October 2026
• Time: 14:00-16:30
• Venue: Istanbul Chamber of Industry, Fazıl Zobu Conference Hall
• Address: Meşrutiyet Cad. No:63, Odakule, Beyoğlu/Istanbul

📌 Important Links

Istanbul Development Agency

📩 Researchers and institutions preparing an application may contact the Project Office team at projectoffice@bogazici.edu.tr for feedback and guidance on their project proposals.