The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) supports PhD students and academic staff to conduct research at leading universities worldwide through the International Research Programmes. For the 3rd term of 2025, applications are open for the following three sub-programmes:

1) Young Brains Programme (GEP)

Target Group: PhD students employed as research assistants
Duration of Stay: 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 their PhD studies
• Minimum score of 75 from YÖKDİL, YDS, e-YDS or an equivalent international exam

• Must have started PhD education within the last 3 years
• Must hold an invitation letter from a university ranked in the top 700 in the last 3 years (URAP, THE, Shanghai ARWU, QS)

2) Postdoctoral Research Programme (DOSAP)

Target Group: Research assistants or assistant professors
Duration of Stay: Up to 9 months
Quota: Up to 100 participants

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a Turkish citizen and employed at a public higher education institution
• Must have obtained a PhD degree within the last 3 years
• Minimum score of 80 from YÖKDİL, YDS, e-YDS or an equivalent international exam
• Must hold an invitation letter from a university ranked in the top 700 in the last 3 years

3) Academic Accumulation Programme (AKAP) – International Academic Leave (Sabbatical)

Target Group: Faculty members
Duration of Stay: Up to 9 months
Quota: Up to 200 participants

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a Turkish citizen and employed as a faculty member at a public higher education institution
• Must be eligible for paid leave under Article 33 (additional) of Law No. 2547
• Minimum score of 80 from YÖKDİL, YDS, e-YDS or an equivalent international exam
• Must hold an invitation letter from a university ranked in the top 700 in the last 3 years, in line with the priority areas of the 12th Development Plan

Priority Areas (12th Development Plan): Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices, Electronics, Machinery, Electrical Equipment, Automotive, Rail Systems
Priority Development Areas: Agriculture & Food, Energy, Defence Industry, Tourism

Application Procedure and Timeline

• Applications will be submitted via YÖKSİS between 22 September – 17 October 2025.
• Universities will review and approve eligible applications between 21 – 31 October 2025.
• Approved applications, together with the relevant senate/board decision, must be submitted to YÖK by 14 November 2025.

👉 Further details about the call are available here.