Funding allocated to research and development activities from the central government budget rose from 13 billion 243 million 950 thousand liras to 308 billion 568 million 34 thousand liras between 2017 and 2026. The total increase in funding was calculated at approximately 23-fold.
The largest increase in the R&D budget was recorded in the exploration and use of space. While 30.5 million liras was allocated to this area in 2017, the amount exceeded 2.3 billion liras in 2024 and rose to 3 billion 278 million 799 thousand liras in 2026.
Space funding rises 107-fold
The budget allocated to space activities increased 107-fold between 2017 and 2026. Projects including work under the National Space Program, Türkiye’s first manned space science mission and the domestically developed Türksat 6A communications satellite were among the prominent drivers of the increase in funding for the sector.
Agricultural and industrial funding grows
R&D appropriations for the agricultural sector rose from 272.4 million liras in 2017 to 14 billion 483 million 618 thousand liras in 2026. Agricultural R&D funding thus increased 53-fold.
Funding allocated to industrial production and technology also rose from 1 billion 8 million liras to 27 billion 558 million 758 thousand liras. The increase in this area was recorded at approximately 27-fold.
The health R&D budget rose from 279.7 million liras to 1 billion 880.6 million liras, while energy funding increased from 176.7 million liras to 955.3 million liras. The amount allocated to transport, telecommunications and other infrastructure reached 6 billion 681.9 million liras, up from 470.1 million liras.
Research funded by university funds receives the largest share
R&D funded through general university funds accounted for the largest share of the budget in terms of volume. Funding for this area rose from 7.7 billion liras in 2017 to 122 billion liras in 2024 and 214 billion 518 million 827 thousand liras in 2026.
Research funded through university funds accounted for approximately 70 percent of the total R&D budget in 2026. R&D funding from other sources also rose from 470.2 million liras to 16 billion 955.6 million liras.
Defense and education R&D funding increases
The R&D budget for defense rose from 1 billion 856 million liras in 2017 to 12 billion 262 million liras in 2026. The increase was calculated at 6.6-fold.
Funding allocated to education rose from 570.2 million liras to 8 billion 562.5 million liras, while funding for culture, recreation, religion and mass communication increased from 4.3 million liras to 130 million liras.
R&D spending under the heading of political and social systems, structures and processes rose from 52.1 million liras to 603.6 million liras. Funding for the environment increased from 103.1 million liras to 465.4 million liras, while the budget allocated for the exploration and use of the Earth declined from 250.6 million liras to 230.8 million liras.
