Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can apply?
Capital companies of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) scale resident in Turkey can apply.
2. When are the applications made?
Applications to the 1507 SME R&D Startup Support Program are made according to the call announcements. Call announcements can be followed at www.tubitak.gov.tr. In general, there are two calls per year and applications are generally made in January-February and July-August.
3. How to apply?
Project applications are made online at https://eteydeb.tubitak.gov.tr.
4. What should be the project topic?
Unless otherwise stated in the call announcement, there is no subject limitation. Applications can be made for R&D projects from all sectors and in all technology areas.
5. What is the support rate and what is the maximum project budget?
Unless otherwise stated in the call announcement, the support rate is 75%. The support provided is in the form of a grant (non-refundable).
6. Which expenses are supported?
The following expenses related to the R&D activities in the project are supported:
a. Personnel expenses,
b. Travel expenses of project personnel (except economy class and local)
c. Purchase of tools, equipment, software and publications (excluding expenses for production infrastructure),
d. Materials and consumables,
e. Domestic and international consultancy and other service procurement expenses (CPA and preparation of AGY101 and AGY301 documents are included).
f. Expenses for R&D services provided to universities, R&D units affiliated to TÜBİTAK, private sector R&D organizations and similar R&D institutions and organizations in Turkey.
7. How many projects can be submitted?
The first five projects of the companies are supported, provided that at least two of them are partners (After the first five supports, other programs should be applied for).
8. Can we apply for projects we have done in the past?
No, we cannot. Projects whose R&D activities were completed before the project application are not supported.
9. Can the support be taken back?
Normally, it is not withdrawn. However, in projects that are abolished due to the intent of the organization, all payments made are collected from the organization by applying default interest at the rates specified in Law No. 6183 (see 1507 Program Implementation Principles).
10. If the project fails, will the support be withdrawn?
No
11. Can we sell the project output?
Yes, the project output can be sold (NOTE: If the project output is sold to a public institution or organization, the support will be withheld. Detailed information can be found in Article 8 of the 1507 Program Implementation Principles titled "Reduction of support from public sources")
12. Who owns the intellectual property rights of the project?
In the event that an intellectual product such as an invention (patent, utility model), industrial design (work, integrated circuit topographers and technical information) that may be subject to intellectual and industrial property arises during or as a result of the execution of the supported project, the relevant provisions of the Law on the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey dated 17/7/1963 and numbered 278 shall apply. All intellectual and industrial rights that may arise in relation to the projects decided to be supported are transferred to the disposal of the organization.
13. Will our project information fall into the hands of competitors?
TÜBİTAK keeps the information provided in the project confidential. Project information is considered "commercial confidential information" or "service-specific information" and is not transferred to anyone other than those involved in the evaluation.
14. How is the project evaluated?
Projects are evaluated according to three main dimensions;
Dimension I: Industrial R&D Content, Technology Level and Innovative Aspects of the Project
II: Dimension: Suitability of the Project Plan and Organizational Infrastructure for the Project
III. Transformability of Project Outputs into Economic Benefits and National Gains
Projects that are deemed appropriate as a result of the preliminary evaluation are evaluated by referees who are experts in their fields. After the referee evaluation, the projects are scored by the board of the relevant technology groups within TEYDEB and the projects deemed appropriate are supported with the approval of the Presidency.
15. Where can I get help about PRODIS?
It is recommended to visit https://eteydeb.tubitak.gov.tr/sss.htm.