Under the framework of the TÜBİTAK 1071 Program, the 2026 joint call for R&D and innovation projects has been launched in accordance with the collaborative agreement between the Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) and Xjenza Malta. The call is structured around two distinct pillars:

1) PRIMA Thematic Areas: Management of Water, Farming Systems, and Agro-Food Value Chain.

2) Shared National Priority Areas: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Smart Manufacturing, and Health.

Aiming to enhance the R&I capacities of both countries, unilateral applications will not be accepted; partners must submit matching applications simultaneously to their respective national funding agencies.

📅 Call Timeline

• Launch of the Call: 25 March 2026
• Joint Submission Deadline (TÜBİTAK & XJENZA): 5 June 2026 (23.59)
• E-Signature Deadline (TÜBİTAK): 9 June 2026 (23.59)
• Scientific Evaluation: July – September 2026
• Issuing of Results: October – November 2026

✅ Eligibility

• Researchers based in Türkiye have to establish a joint project consortium with eligible partners based in Malta.
• Only proposals that have a signed Cooperation and Intellectual Property (IP) Agreement amongst the consortium partners detailing the ownership, exploitation rules, and management of IP rights will be eligible to apply.

📂 Support Scope and Duration

• Maximum project duration is up to 24 months.
• There will be "no money crossing borders".
• Each funding agency covers all expenses for its own researchers in accordance with its own national rules.
• The total duration of scientific visits from one side to another cannot exceed 60 days per year per project.

💶 Funding Opportunities

• Maximum funding per project is 3,750,000 TL (excluding institutional overhead and Project Incentive Premium - PIP / PTİ).

📌 Useful Links

• Program TÜBİTAK Web Sitesi
• Call Document