The TWAS-TÜBİTAK Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is a joint development between the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) and TWAS. It’s intended for students in developing countries who wants to further their studies in postdoctoral research in the applied and natural sciences at any university in Turkey, including TÜBİTAK Research Centers and Institutes.

The time allotted for the TWAS-TÜBİTAK Postdoctoral Fellowships program ranges from six months to two years and six months. These are hosted by universities or research institutions all over Turkey.

The various areas that are available for study include:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Structural, Cell & Molecular Biology
• Biological Systems & Organisms
• Medical & Health Sciences, including Neurosciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Engineering Sciences
• Astronomy, Space & Earth Science
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics
• Computing and Information Technology

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Nationality and Residency: Must be nationals and permanent residents of a developing country in the Global South (as listed by TWAS here). Candidates from Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLC), and female applicants, are strongly encouraged to apply. For the STLC list, see this link.
2. Residency Restrictions: Candidates must not hold a visa for temporary or permanent residency in Turkey or any other developed nation.
3. Employment: Applicants must be employed in a developing country, other than Turkey, and must hold a research assignment there. A Supporting Statement from the applicant’s current employer is required to confirm this employment and the granting of leave if awarded the fellowship. TÜBİTAK provides a template for this statement.
4. Academic Qualification: Applicants must hold a PhD in a field related to natural or applied sciences (as outlined above).
5. Age Limit: Applicants must be no older than 45 years as of December 31, 2024.
6. Host Institution: Candidates must provide an Acceptance Letter from an eligible public or private university, or a TÜBİTAK Research Center or Institute, in Turkey. Requests for acceptance must be directed to the chosen institution, not TÜBİTAK. This letter must be signed by the head of the host institution (e.g., rector or vice-chancellor at universities, or director at research centers).
   • Candidates who completed their PhD at a Turkish university must obtain an acceptance letter from a different institution than where they earned their doctorate, and must collaborate with different academic advisors than those who supervised their thesis.
7. Research Proposal: A Research Proposal must be prepared in the format specified by TÜBİTAK.
8. Language Proficiency: Applicants must provide proof of English proficiency. If English was not the medium of instruction in previous education, test scores from national or international exams, or a letter from a university attesting to the applicant’s English skills, must be provided. If the applicant’s education was in English, a brief, signed statement indicating the levels of education (e.g., BSc, MSc) completed in English must be submitted.
9. Other Obligations for the TWAS-TÜBİTAK Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme:
   • Applicants must not undertake any other work during the fellowship period.
   • They must be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.
   • They should not have previously been awarded a fellowship through this program.
   • Upon completing the fellowship, they are required to return to their home country.

Application Deadline: December 16, 2024

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the TWAS-TÜBİTAK Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme.