How to Apply for the TÜBİTAK 1507 SME R&D Program

The TÜBİTAK 1507 SME R&D Start-Up Support Program is a grant program run by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) and designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) taking their first steps into the R&D ecosystem. Its main goal is to encourage SMEs to engage in research and development and to strengthen their capacity to develop innovative products and processes.

Support under the program is a non-repayable grant. This sets it apart from loan- or debt-based mechanisms: the eligible costs of approved projects are covered directly up to a set rate, and the company takes on no repayment obligation.

Unless the call announcement states otherwise, the 1507 program is open to a broad range of sectors. R&D projects in fields as diverse as software, food technology, machinery manufacturing and healthcare can benefit. What matters is that the project involves genuine technological uncertainty and proposes an innovative solution. Current call conditions and any sector priorities should be checked in TÜBİTAK's official announcement.

The support model is project-based. Each application is evaluated as a standalone project; the scientific and technological merit, originality, feasibility and commercialization potential of the proposal are each assessed separately. This approach ensures every project is judged on its own merits.

Note: The information in this guide reflects the program's general framework. Program conditions may be updated from one call period to the next. We recommend checking TÜBİTAK's current call announcement before applying.

To apply for the TÜBİTAK 1507 program, certain eligibility requirements must be met. Although these may be updated from one call period to the next, the program's general framework covers the following criteria:

• SME status: The applicant company must meet the SME definition. In Türkiye, the SME definition generally covers businesses with fewer than 250 employees that do not exceed certain revenue or balance sheet thresholds. The current SME definition and thresholds are set out in the relevant legislation.
• Established and tax-registered in Türkiye: The company is expected to be a legal entity incorporated within the Republic of Türkiye and an active taxpayer.
• R&D experience: The program is designed primarily for SMEs that are new to the R&D ecosystem or have limited project experience. Companies that have never run a TÜBİTAK project are ideal candidates. That said, companies that have run projects before can also apply, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions specified for the current call period.
• Broad sector coverage: Companies from manufacturing, software, agriculture, healthcare, energy, textiles and many other sectors can apply. Check the current conditions and any sector priorities specified in the call announcement.

Before applying, we recommend confirming in TÜBİTAK's official call announcement that your company meets the current eligibility criteria. Criteria may differ from one call period to the next.

The TÜBİTAK 1507 program supports a range of cost items needed to carry out an R&D project. These items are structured to comprehensively cover the resources a project requires:

• Personnel costs: The gross salaries of the researchers, software developers, engineers and technicians working on the project are eligible. The team's qualifications and the time they dedicate to the project (person-months) should be shown in detail in the budget.
• Machinery, equipment and software costs: Laboratory equipment, test devices, special-purpose software licenses and hardware needed for the project can be budgeted under this item.
• Materials and consumables: Raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals, electronic components and other consumables used in the R&D process fall into this category.
• Service procurement: Consulting, testing, analysis, calibration, certification and similar services that need to be sourced externally during the project are supported under this item. Services obtained from universities or research organizations are also included.
• Domestic and international travel: Travel costs for purposes required by the project — such as technical visits, conference attendance or fieldwork — can be added to the budget.

Current support rates, ceilings and item-specific restrictions are set out in TÜBİTAK's official announcement for the relevant call period. Because these rates and limits may be updated with each call, it is very important to read the call text carefully when planning your budget.

Budget items that are directly linked to project activities and properly justified make a positive impression during evaluation. Unnecessary or disproportionately large budget requests may be criticized by reviewers.

A TÜBİTAK 1507 application requires a number of official company documents in addition to the technical project documentation. Preparing a complete application file is critical for the process to run smoothly. The documents generally requested are:

• Company information and registration documents: Documents showing the company's legal status, such as MERSİS (Central Registry System) records, a current tax certificate, the trade registry gazette and the SGK (social security) workplace registration certificate.
• Project proposal form (AGY100): The heart of the application, this form explains the project's purpose, scope, methodology, innovative aspects, work packages and expected outputs in detail. It should be prepared in strict accordance with the format and headings specified by TÜBİTAK.
• Budget table: A detailed budget table itemizing the expenditures planned over the course of the project. Each cost item should be justified and consistent with market prices.
• Personnel CVs: Up-to-date CVs for all researchers and technicians on the project team, reflecting their academic and professional experience. Team members' competencies related to their R&D tasks in the project should be clearly demonstrated.
• Commitment letters and protocols: Any project partnership protocols, university cooperation agreements, subcontractor commitment letters and similar documents should be added to the file.
• Financial statements: Documents showing the company's current financial position, such as the balance sheet and income statement, may also be requested.

The document list may vary from one call period to the next. For the current and definitive list, check the official announcement for the call period you are applying to. Applications submitted with missing or incorrect documents may be eliminated at the preliminary review stage.

The quality of the project document is one of the most important factors in whether an application is accepted. To prepare a technically strong, consistent and persuasive proposal, pay attention to the following points:

• Define the R&D element clearly: State plainly which technological uncertainty the project aims to resolve, how it differs from existing solutions and what makes it innovative. "Innovation" means proposing a solution that goes beyond the existing body of knowledge; simply adapting or localizing existing products is not considered R&D.
• Keep work packages and the timeline realistic: The project should be broken down into logically connected work packages, with a realistic duration for each. Dependencies between work packages and the critical path should be shown clearly. Overly ambitious or overly loose timelines are viewed unfavorably by reviewers.
• Structure budget items to fit the program: Each expenditure item should be linked to the relevant work package and be proportionate to the project's technical needs. Transparency and consistency in the budget are essential; the project text should explain why each item is necessary.
• Make outputs and performance indicators measurable: The outputs to be delivered by the end of the project (prototype, software, test report, patent application, etc.) should be defined in concrete, measurable terms. Instead of vague statements like "an innovative system will be developed," set measurable targets such as "a prototype delivering a Y% improvement in parameter X will be produced."
• Present a strong commercialization plan: TÜBİTAK expects the projects it funds to find a place in the market rather than staying in the lab. The project's target market, potential customer profile, competitive analysis and commercialization strategy should therefore be set out clearly. A strong commercialization plan demonstrates the project's economic impact and gives it a significant advantage in evaluation.

A common mistake in proposal writing is to write the project like a technical paper. In reality, a project proposal is also a business document that needs to convince reviewers. Striking the right balance between technical depth and clarity is one of the fundamental requirements of a successful application.

The evaluation process for TÜBİTAK 1507 applications consists of several stages. Different criteria are applied at each stage, and the process is designed to rigorously assess the project's scientific quality and feasibility.

• Preliminary registration and document check: Once the application is uploaded to the system, it is first reviewed for formal requirements. Company eligibility, document completeness and compliance with the application format are checked at this stage. Incomplete or non-compliant applications may be returned without being evaluated.
• Peer review: Projects that pass the preliminary check are sent to independent expert reviewers in the relevant field. Reviewers score the project on criteria such as its R&D nature, level of innovation, methodological consistency, budget suitability, team competence and commercialization potential. Review reports include written assessments that set out the project's strengths and weaknesses in detail.
• Committee decision: Review reports are submitted to the relevant TÜBİTAK committee. The committee considers the reviewers' opinions together and decides whether to fund the project, reject it or send it back for revision.
• Revision requests and defense: The committee may conclude that the project is fundable but needs certain corrections. In that case, the company is asked to submit revised project documents within a set period. In some cases, company representatives may also be asked to defend the project orally.
• Post-approval contract and support: Once the project is approved, a project contract is signed between the company and TÜBİTAK. The contract sets out the project's scope, duration, budget and the obligations of each party. After signing, the project officially begins and is monitored through periodic financial reports and technical progress reports.

The total length of the evaluation process may vary depending on application volume and the call period. After applying, companies can track which stage their application is at through TÜBİTAK's online project tracking system.

A TÜBİTAK 1507 application requires meticulous preparation on both the technical and the administrative side. Especially for companies with no previous R&D project experience, the process can be complex and time-consuming. Professional consulting support improves the quality of the application file and significantly increases the likelihood of approval.

An experienced consulting team contributes in the following areas during the application process:

• Quality of the project file: Guidance on correctly defining the R&D element, structuring the proposal to meet reviewer expectations and building a persuasive narrative.
• Budget alignment: Ensuring cost items are structured in line with the program, item-level ceilings are respected and the budget is consistent with the work packages. Unrealistic budget requests are one of the most frequently criticized aspects of applications.
• Process management: Operational steps such as planning the application timeline, coordinating document preparation, submitting the application through the system and managing post-evaluation revisions run smoothly with professional support.
• Preliminary eligibility assessment: Not every project idea is a fit for the TÜBİTAK 1507 program. An experienced consulting team assesses the project's R&D nature and program fit before applying. Not taking ineligible projects forward to application prevents both the company and the consulting team from wasting time and resources.

Learn more about our incentive consulting services and let's assess together how your company's R&D project could benefit from TÜBİTAK support. We're with you at every stage of the process — from the idea stage to project approval and periodic reporting.

A carefully prepared application file matched with the right program can give your company a significant financial advantage in its R&D investments. You can take the first step toward turning your R&D ideas into concrete projects today.