The Türkiye Strategic Technology Human Resources Program plans to train 550 young researchers in its first year. By the end of five years, the program aims to bring approximately 3,000 researchers into Türkiye’s science and technology ecosystem.
According to a statement from the Council of Higher Education, the program was announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Young people will pursue doctoral studies at Türkiye’s research universities while also being employed as research assistants.
Four strategic fields identified for the first year
In the program’s first year, researchers will be trained in information technologies, hardware and computer systems, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence and smart systems.
The program aims to support the transformation of knowledge produced at universities into technology, products, patents and economic value. Strengthening the pool of highly qualified researchers needed by the public and private sectors is also among the program’s objectives.
Applications will not be limited to young people who have graduated in computer science and software-related fields. In addition to graduates of engineering fields who meet the admission requirements for the announced doctoral programs, graduates of medicine, law and other disciplines will also be able to apply to the relevant programs.
Through this initiative, the aim is to bring together the knowledge and experience of young people trained in different fields with strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, information technologies and advanced computer systems.
Applications will be accepted from Sept. 8 to 22, 2026
Candidates will be able to apply between Sept. 8 and 22, 2026, through the Council of Higher Education’s Application System for Doctoral Programs in Priority Areas. Candidates will be allowed a total of five choices from no more than two different fields among the announced programs.
The centralized written exam will be administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center on Nov. 28, 2026. The program’s integrated doctoral option will enable young people who meet the necessary requirements to begin their research careers earlier.
The goal is to strengthen long-term technology capacity
Council of Higher Education President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar said the program was important for Türkiye’s long-term science and technology capacity. Özvar said the program aimed to train scientists who would work in critical fields ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to advanced computer systems and chip technologies.
Özvar said the program aimed to train researchers who would develop the technologies of the next 10 and 20 years. He said young people could take part in scientific production as research assistants while pursuing their doctoral studies and called on those seeking academic careers to apply to the program.
