Get Up to TRY 900,000 for Your Turkish Tech Startup: Complete TÜBİTAK 1512 Grant Guide

If you’re a Turkish entrepreneur with a research-backed tech idea, TÜBİTAK 1512 might be the launchpad you need. This isn’t just another grant where they hand you money and wish you luck. It’s a structured program that walks you from concept to company, with up to TRY 900,000 in funding along the way.

The program is run by TÜBİTAK (Turkey’s Scientific and Technological Research Council), and it’s specifically designed for what they call “techno-entrepreneurship”—turning research and R&D into actual businesses. Think of it as a bridge between the academic world and the startup ecosystem. You’ve got the technical innovation, they’ve got the resources and expertise to help you commercialize it.

What makes this program stand out is its four-phase structure. You don’t just apply for money and figure everything out yourself. Instead, you move through ideation, prototype development, commercialization, and finally incorporation—with support, training, and funding at each stage. For researchers and engineers who know their technology inside-out but might be new to the business side, this structured approach can be invaluable.

The TRY 900,000 (roughly $30,000-35,000 USD, though exchange rates fluctuate) might not sound massive compared to Silicon Valley funding rounds, but in Turkey’s startup ecosystem, it’s substantial seed capital. More importantly, it’s non-dilutive—you’re not giving up equity. You’re getting real money to build your company while maintaining full ownership.

Key Details at a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

The TÜBİTAK 1512 program isn’t just about the money—though TRY 900,000 is nothing to sneeze at. Here’s what you actually get when you’re accepted:

Phase 1: Ideation and Concept Development. This is where you refine your idea and develop a solid business model. You’ll work with mentors to validate your concept, understand your market, and create a clear path forward. The program provides training on business fundamentals, market research, and customer development. You’re not expected to have everything figured out—this phase is about getting clarity.

Phase 2: Prototype Development. Now you’re building. The funding here supports developing your minimum viable product or prototype. This might cover materials, equipment, technical expertise, or early hires. You’ll also get access to labs, makerspaces, and technical facilities through your implementing organization. For hardware startups or deep-tech ventures, this access can be as valuable as the cash.

Phase 3: Commercialization and Market Validation. You’ve got a prototype—now can you sell it? This phase focuses on testing your product with real customers, refining based on feedback, and proving there’s actual market demand. Funding can support pilot projects, initial marketing, early sales efforts, and customer acquisition. The program helps you move from “we built something cool” to “customers will pay for this.”

Phase 4: Incorporation and Company Formation. The final phase supports officially establishing your company. This includes legal setup, initial operations, and preparing for life after the program. You’ll get guidance on corporate structure, intellectual property protection, and positioning for follow-on funding.

Beyond the structured phases, you get access to Turkey’s innovation ecosystem. That means connections to potential customers, partners, investors, and other entrepreneurs. Many TÜBİTAK 1512 graduates go on to raise venture capital, join accelerators, or secure additional government funding through other TÜBİTAK programs.

You’ll also work closely with an approved implementing organization—think of them as your program partner. These organizations provide training, mentorship, workspace, and ongoing support. Some specialize in specific sectors (biotech, software, clean energy), so you’ll be matched with one that fits your venture.

Who Should Apply

This program is designed for a specific type of entrepreneur: someone with strong technical or research background who wants to commercialize their innovation. Here’s who tends to do well:

University researchers spinning out technology. You’ve been working on a research project—maybe for your PhD, maybe as a postdoc—and you’ve realized it has commercial potential. You understand the science deeply but need help with the business side. This program is built for you. Past winners include materials scientists commercializing new composites, computer scientists turning algorithms into products, and biomedical researchers developing diagnostic tools.

Graduate students with commercializable research. You’re finishing your master’s or doctorate and you’ve developed something valuable. Maybe it’s a new software tool, a hardware innovation, or a novel process. You’re thinking about starting a company instead of (or in addition to) pursuing traditional academic or corporate paths. The program can help you make that transition.

Early-stage founders with R&D background. You’ve already started exploring your startup idea, maybe even formed a company, but you’re still in early stages. You have technical depth but need resources to develop your product and validate your market. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria and your venture is research-driven, you can apply.

Corporate innovators leaving to start ventures. You’ve been working in industry and identified a technical problem you can solve. You’ve got domain expertise and industry connections, and now you want to build a company around your solution. If your innovation is based on R&D and technical advancement (not just a new business model), you’re a good fit.

You’re particularly well-positioned if you can answer yes to these questions:

• Do you have a technical background in your field (engineering, science, technology)?
• Is your venture based on research, R&D, or technical innovation (not just a new app or service)?
• Can you commit full-time to the program if selected?
• Are you a Turkish citizen or legal resident?
• Do you understand your target market and potential customers?
• Are you willing to work with mentors and implementing organizations?

The program isn’t right for everyone. If you’re building a lifestyle business, a service company, or something that doesn’t require significant R&D, look elsewhere. TÜBİTAK 1512 is specifically for technology ventures with innovation at their core.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Here’s what actually makes a difference, based on successful applications and conversations with program participants:

Tip 1: Emphasize Your R&D Foundation. TÜBİTAK prioritizes research-driven innovation above everything else. Don’t just describe what your product does—explain the underlying research, the technical challenges you’ve solved, and why your approach is novel. If you’ve published papers, filed patents, or presented at conferences, include that. Cite relevant academic work (yours or others’) that supports your innovation. Reviewers want to see that you’re building on solid technical ground, not just having a business idea.

Tip 2: Show Deep Market Understanding. Turkish reviewers want evidence that you understand your market, not just assumptions. Include specific data: market size in Turkey, growth rates, competitor analysis, and why your solution is better. If you’ve talked to potential customers, share what you learned. If you’re targeting export markets (which TÜBİTAK likes), explain your international strategy with specifics. “The global market is huge” doesn’t cut it—“We’ve identified 200 potential customers in Germany and have letters of intent from three” does.

Tip 3: Choose Your Implementing Organization Carefully. You must partner with an approved implementing organization for training and support. Don’t just pick one randomly. Research these organizations before applying—some specialize in biotech, others in software, hardware, clean energy, etc. Look at their past participants and success stories. Reach out early to discuss your project. A strong relationship with an implementing organization that truly fits your sector can make a huge difference in your application and your success in the program.

Tip 4: Budget Realistically Across All Four Phases. Break your budget down by phase and be realistic about costs. If you’re developing hardware and your prototype phase budget seems tiny, reviewers will question whether you can actually build what you’re proposing. Conversely, if you’re asking for the maximum amount but can’t justify the expenses, that’s a red flag. Talk to people who’ve built similar products, get real quotes for equipment or services, and show your math. A well-justified budget signals that you’ve thought this through.

Tip 5: Demonstrate Team Capability (Even If You’re Solo). Even if you’re applying as a solo founder, show you can build a team. Identify potential co-founders, advisors, or early hires. Explain what skills you bring and what gaps you’ll need to fill. TÜBİTAK wants to fund teams that can execute, not just good ideas. If you have co-founders already, highlight complementary skills—one technical, one business-focused is a classic combination that works well.

Tip 6: Prepare for Turkish Language Requirements. While some materials can be in English (especially technical documentation), you’ll need Turkish versions of key documents and your application. Start translation early and make sure technical terms are accurate. Poor translation can make a strong application look weak. If you’re not a native Turkish speaker, get help from someone who is—and ideally someone familiar with business and technical terminology.

Tip 7: Align with National Innovation Priorities. Turkey’s innovation strategy focuses on specific sectors: defense technology, health technology, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital transformation. If your project aligns with these priorities, make it explicit. Reference national strategies or policy documents. Show how your venture supports Turkey’s economic development and technological advancement. This isn’t just box-checking—it genuinely matters to reviewers who are thinking about national impact.

Application Timeline

Here’s a realistic timeline working backward from the September 19, 2024 deadline. Don’t compress these timeframes or you’ll end up rushing and submitting a weaker application.

Early August (6-8 weeks before deadline): Start your research and preparation. Identify potential implementing organizations and reach out to them. Explain your project and ask about their application support. Begin gathering supporting documents—research papers, patent applications, technical reports, anything that demonstrates your R&D foundation. Start drafting your project description, focusing on the technical innovation and market opportunity.

Mid-August (4-6 weeks before deadline): Complete your first full draft of the application. This should include your project proposal, market analysis, technical approach, and preliminary budget. Share this draft with your implementing organization and ask for feedback. Also share with mentors, advisors, or previous TÜBİTAK winners if you know any. Start preparing your budget breakdown—get real cost estimates for equipment, materials, services, and personnel.

Late August to Early September (2-4 weeks before deadline): Incorporate feedback and refine your application. Translate key documents into Turkish if you haven’t already. Prepare all supporting materials—your CV, research documentation, market research data, letters of support from your implementing organization or potential partners. Make sure everything is properly formatted and meets submission requirements.

Mid-September (1 week before deadline): Final review and polish. Read through your entire application as if you’re a reviewer who knows nothing about your project. Is everything clear? Are your claims supported with evidence? Does your budget make sense? Have someone else read it too—fresh eyes catch things you’ll miss. Prepare your submission package and do a test upload if the portal allows.

September 17-18 (48 hours before deadline): Submit your application. Do not wait until September 19. Turkish government portals can be slow, especially near deadlines when everyone’s submitting. Give yourself buffer time for technical issues. After submitting, save all confirmation emails and take screenshots of your submission confirmation.

Post-Submission (September-December): The review process typically takes 2-3 months. Use this time productively—continue developing your project, talk to more potential customers, refine your prototype if you have one. If you’re selected for an interview (which is common), you’ll want to show progress since your application. Prepare for potential questions about your technology, market, and team.

Required Materials

Here’s what you’ll need to submit. Start gathering these early:

Project Proposal (10-15 pages): This is the core of your application. Include a technical description of your innovation, market analysis showing opportunity and competition, your implementation plan with timeline and milestones, and your team structure. Use clear language—reviewers are smart but might not be specialists in your exact subfield.

Detailed Budget Breakdown: Show exactly how you’ll spend the funding across all four phases. Include personnel costs (salaries, benefits), equipment and materials, services (consultants, testing, certifications), travel (if relevant to your project), and overhead. Justify each major expense category.

CV/Resume: Highlight your academic background, research experience, technical skills, relevant publications or patents, and any entrepreneurial experience. For co-founders, include their CVs too.

Research Documentation: Papers you’ve published, patent applications or grants, technical reports, or conference presentations. Anything that demonstrates the R&D foundation of your venture.

Market Research: Data on market size and growth, competitor analysis, customer interviews or surveys, and letters of interest from potential customers (if you have them). Real data beats assumptions.

Implementing Organization Letter: Confirmation that you’ve partnered with an approved organization and they’re supporting your application. Get this early—don’t assume it’s automatic.

Company Formation Plan: Your timeline for incorporation, proposed corporate structure, and intellectual property strategy. Even though you haven’t formed the company yet, show you’ve thought about it.

Team Information: If you have co-founders or have identified key early hires, include their bios and explain their roles. If you’re solo, explain your plan for building a team.

Create a checklist and track your progress. Some items (like research papers or patent documentation) might take time to obtain from universities or government offices. Don’t leave anything to the last minute.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Understanding how applications are evaluated helps you focus your effort where it matters most:

Technical Innovation (40% of evaluation): Reviewers assess the novelty of your approach, technical feasibility, and intellectual property potential. Strong applications clearly explain what’s new about their technology, why existing solutions fall short, and how their approach overcomes specific technical barriers. You don’t need a revolutionary breakthrough—incremental innovation that solves a real problem can be compelling—but you need to articulate what makes your approach different and better.

Market Potential (30% of evaluation): Show evidence of real market need and opportunity. Include market size data, growth projections, and competitive landscape analysis. Turkish reviewers particularly value applications that target both domestic and export markets—show you can succeed in Turkey and expand internationally. Customer validation is powerful: interviews, surveys, letters of intent, or pilot results demonstrate that people actually want what you’re building.

Team Capability (20% of evaluation): Demonstrate you have the skills and commitment to execute. Highlight relevant technical expertise, domain knowledge, and business experience. If you’re missing key skills, explain how you’ll acquire them or who you’ll bring onto the team. Reviewers want to fund teams that can actually build and sell the product, not just researchers with an idea.

Implementation Plan (10% of evaluation): Provide a realistic timeline with clear milestones for each phase. Show you understand the path from research to product to company. Overly ambitious timelines (“we’ll be profitable in six months”) raise red flags. So do vague plans (“we’ll develop the product and find customers”). Be specific about what you’ll accomplish in each phase and how you’ll measure success.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others’ errors so you don’t repeat them:

Mistake 1: Weak R&D Foundation. Some applicants apply with just a business idea or a simple app. TÜBİTAK 1512 is specifically for research-driven, technology-based ventures. If your innovation doesn’t involve significant R&D, technical advancement, or scientific foundation, this isn’t the right program. Be honest with yourself—if you can’t point to underlying research or technical innovation, strengthen that foundation before applying.

Mistake 2: Treating the Implementing Organization as a Formality. Don’t just pick an implementing organization to check a box. These organizations provide crucial training, mentorship, workspace, and connections. Choose one that specializes in your sector and has a track record with similar ventures. Engage them early in your application process. A strong implementing organization partner can help you craft a better application and will be invaluable during the program.

Mistake 3: Unrealistic or Unjustified Budget. Either asking for the maximum amount without clear justification, or under-budgeting and not accounting for real costs. Build your budget from actual cost estimates. If you’re developing hardware, talk to manufacturers about prototype costs. If you need specialized equipment, get quotes. If you’re hiring developers, research market salaries. Show your work—reviewers can spot made-up numbers.

Mistake 4: Vague Market Claims Without Data. Saying “the market is huge” or “there are no competitors” without evidence. Do real market research. Talk to potential customers. Analyze competitors honestly—if you claim there are none, reviewers will either think you haven’t looked hard enough or that there’s no market. Show you understand the landscape and have a specific, defensible position.

Mistake 5: Applying Too Early. If you’re still in the pure “idea phase” with no preliminary work, no market research, and no technical foundation, you’re probably not ready. Spend a few months developing your concept, gathering initial data, and validating assumptions. A stronger application in the next cycle beats a weak one now.

Mistake 6: Missing the Deadline or Technical Issues. Turkish government portals can be slow, especially near deadlines when traffic is high. Submit at least 48 hours early. Test the upload process beforehand if possible. Have all your documents ready and properly formatted. A strong application that doesn’t get submitted on time is worthless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I’m not a Turkish citizen?
You must be a Turkish citizen or have Turkish residency status. International co-founders can join your team, but the lead applicant must be Turkish. If you’re a foreign researcher working in Turkey, check whether your residency status qualifies—some visa types may work, others won’t.

Do I need to have a registered company already?
No, and in fact most applicants don’t. Part of the program is helping you incorporate during Phase 4. However, you do need to commit to forming a Turkish company if you’re accepted. You can’t take the funding and then decide not to establish a business.

Can I apply while still employed or studying?
Yes, you can apply while employed or enrolled in a university. However, if you’re selected, you’ll need to commit significant time to the program—in many cases, full-time. Plan your transition. Many successful applicants use the application period to prepare for leaving their job or finishing their degree.

What’s the actual success rate?
Approximately 15-20% of applications receive funding, though this varies by year and sector. Strong technical innovation, clear market potential, and a capable team significantly improve your odds. Don’t be discouraged by the numbers—if you have a solid research-based venture, you have a real shot.

Can I resubmit if I’m rejected?
Yes, and it’s common. Many successful participants were funded on their second or third attempt. If you’re not selected, request reviewer feedback (this is usually provided automatically). Use it to strengthen your application, address weaknesses, and reapply in the next cycle. Show how you’ve made progress since the last application.

Is there an age limit?
No formal age limit exists, but the program targets early-career entrepreneurs. Most participants are between 25 and 40 years old. If you’re outside this range but have a strong research-based venture, don’t let age stop you from applying.

What happens after the program ends?
You’ll have a registered company with developed technology, initial market validation, and connections in Turkey’s startup ecosystem. Many graduates go on to raise venture capital from Turkish or international investors, join accelerators or incubators, secure additional TÜBİTAK funding through other programs (like 1507 for SME R&D), or bootstrap to profitability. The program also has an alumni network that can be valuable for ongoing support.

Do I need to repay the grant?
No, this is non-dilutive funding. TÜBİTAK doesn’t take equity in your company or require repayment. However, you must meet program milestones, submit required reports, and use the funding for approved purposes. If you fail to meet obligations or misuse funds, there could be consequences, but successful completion means the money is yours.

How to Apply

Ready to turn your research into a startup? Here’s what to do next:

First, visit the official TÜBİTAK 1512 program page at https://tubitak.gov.tr and review the complete program guidelines. Make sure you meet all eligibility criteria and understand the four-phase structure. Download the application forms and requirements document.

Second, research approved implementing organizations in your sector. TÜBİTAK’s website lists all approved organizations with their specializations. Look at their past participants and success stories. Reach out to 2-3 that seem like good fits and schedule calls to discuss your project. Choose the one that best aligns with your venture and can provide the most relevant support.

Third, start gathering your supporting materials. Pull together your research papers, patent applications, technical documentation, and CV. Begin your market research if you haven’t already—talk to potential customers, analyze competitors, and gather data on market size and opportunity.

Fourth, draft your project proposal. Focus on clearly explaining your technical innovation (what’s new and why it matters), market opportunity (who needs this and why they’ll pay for it), and implementation plan (how you’ll build and commercialize it). Get feedback from your implementing organization, mentors, or advisors before finalizing.

Fifth, prepare your budget with realistic cost estimates for all four phases. Work with your implementing organization if you need help understanding allowable costs or typical expenses for ventures like yours.

Sixth, complete your application and submit it at least 48 hours before the September 19 deadline. Save all confirmation documentation.

Questions about eligibility, application requirements, or the program structure? Contact your chosen implementing organization—they’re there to help guide you through the process. You can also reach out to TÜBİTAK directly through the contact information on their website.

This program has helped hundreds of Turkish researchers and entrepreneurs turn their innovations into real companies. If you’ve got the technical foundation and the drive to build a business, it could be exactly what you need to make it happen.