YÖK Provides Overseas Support to 400 Researchers Under the AKAP, DOSAP, and GEP Programs
Applications for the second round of 2026 for the AKAP, DOSAP, and GEP programs administered by the Higher Education Council (YÖK) opened on June 18, 2026. Under these programs, which aim to enable academics and researchers to conduct scientific research at leading universities around the world, 400 researchers from Turkey will receive support for overseas research. The application deadline is June 5, 2026.
Acting with the vision of bringing Turkey’s academic capacity to the international arena and advancing scientific collaborations to a higher level, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) continues to ensure that academics benefit from cross-border research opportunities. The schedule for the new round of the “International Research Programs,” launched by YÖK to encourage doctoral students and faculty members to conduct international research, has been finalized.
Applications for the second phase of the process, which will be carried out in four separate periods throughout 2026, began to be accepted as of Monday, May 18, 2026. The program, which supports researchers who have received invitation letters from institutions ranked within the top 700 in prestigious global university rankings such as URAP, THE, Shanghai, and QS over the past three years, consists of three main categories: the Academic Accumulation Program (AKAP), the Postdoctoral Research Program (DOSAP), and the Young Minds Program (GEP).
Academic development in line with strategic goals: AKAP
Designed for faculty members on academic leave (sabbatical) abroad, the Academic Development Program (AKAP) has an expanded quota of 200 participants. This program, which requires a minimum score of 80 on the YÖKDİL or YDS exams or an equivalent score on international language proficiency tests, aims to directly contribute to the strategic priorities outlined in Turkey’s 12th Development Plan. Under the program, faculty members will be able to spend up to nine months abroad under “Visiting Researcher” status. The academics’ research will focus on priority development areas such as chemistry, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, electronics, machinery, electrical equipment, automotive and rail systems, as well as agriculture, food, energy, defense industry, and tourism.
Uninterrupted support for postdoctoral research: DOSAP
Under the Postdoctoral Research Program (DOSAP), which is available to research assistants and assistant professors who have completed their doctorates within the last three years, support will be provided to 100 researchers. Applicants must have scored at least 80 on the YÖKDİL or YDS exams or an equivalent score on an international language exam; accepted academics will be able to conduct research for up to nine months at prestigious universities abroad without any field restrictions.
Overseas research opportunities for young minds: GEP
The Young Minds Program (GEP), designed for research assistants who have advanced to the thesis phase of their doctoral studies, offers 100 spots for thesis-related research abroad without any field restrictions. Applicants must have scored at least 75 on the YÖKDİL or YDS exams or an equivalent score on an international language exam, and must provide documentation confirming they will conduct academic work at the host institution for a period of one to three months.
Application and Evaluation Schedule
While applicants must submit their applications for the AKAP, DOSAP, and GEP programs directly through YÖKSİS, institutional approval is required for the process to be officially completed. In this two-stage system, after an individual submits an application to YÖKSİS, the applicant’s home university must approve the application through the system, and an official senate decision must be obtained.
The application and evaluation schedule for the 2026 Second Term, established for researchers seeking to enhance their international visibility, will proceed as follows:
- Individual Application Process: May 18, 2026 – June 5, 2026
- University Official YÖKSİS Approval: June 8, 2026 – June 15, 2026
- Final Notification of Senate/Board of Directors Decisions: July 3, 2026
- YÖK Evaluation and Announcement of Results: July 17, 2026
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