TÜBİTAK

What TÜBİTAK does

TÜBİTAK (Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu / Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye) is Türkiye's national science and technology policy-making, funding, and research body, established in 1963 and operating under the Ministry of Industry and Technology. It serves as both a funding organization — channeling government appropriations through structured support programs (ARDEB for academic R&D, TEYDEB for industrial R&D, BİDEB for science fellowships) to universities, researchers, and industry — and as a direct R&D performer through more than twenty specialized institutes spanning defense, cybersecurity, space, metrology, energy, AI, basic sciences, and clean energy.

Its technology portfolio includes strategically significant national systems: TÜRKSAT 6A (Türkiye's first domestically developed communication satellite, built by UZAY), software technologies for the KAAN National Combat Aircraft, the MGR National Surveillance Radar, MILSEC secure IP communication terminals with NATO SCIP compliance, SiGe BiCMOS semiconductors (YİTAL), the ARF-ACC TOP500-ranked supercomputer under TRUBA, and applied AI/blockchain/quantum research programs. Defense- and security-grade products are sold to government ministries and public institutions through tender-based procurement, while funding programs and scholarships are distributed at no cost to recipients. International engagement spans EU Horizon Europe, COST, NATO exercises, and bilateral cooperation programs across Europe.

The organization is funded primarily through Turkish federal appropriations supplemented by EU framework program grants and limited commercial sales of developed technologies to government buyers. Its revenue and budget are not publicly disclosed. Governance is overseen by a Board of Directors and a President; the current President is Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın. TÜBİTAK also operates ancillary programs including the TEKNOFEST technology festival (positioned as the world's largest of its kind), science olympiads, project competitions, the TÜBİTAK Science High School, and a Technology Transfer Office for IP commercialization.

Name

TÜBİTAK

Legal name

Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu

Website

https://tubitak.gov.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

TÜBİTAK is Türkiye's national science and technology research council, funding academic and industrial R&D while operating 20+ specialized institutes delivering defense, cybersecurity, space, AI, and energy technologies to government and universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Scientific Research and Technology Development

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Space Research and Technology (927)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK), C4ISR Systems & Tactical Data Links (IMABAGAE)

Keywords

• National research funding
• Defense technology R&D
• Space satellite development
• Cybersecurity solutions
• Scientific grants management

Headquarters

HQ city

Ankara

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding Allocation: TÜBİTAK receives annual budget allocations from the Turkish government to fund research projects, support programs, scholarships, and operate its research institutes.
2. International Research Collaboration Funding: EU Framework Programs (Horizon Europe), COST Program participation, and bilateral research cooperation funding from international sources.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TÜBİTAK is Turkey's national science and technology research council that funds, conducts, and coordinates scientific R&D across multiple disciplines. It operates more than 25 specialized institutes and programs delivering research grants, scholarships, technology products (radar, secure communications, satellites), high-performance computing, and large-scale science and technology events such as TEKNOFEST.

Product overview

TÜBİTAK (Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu / Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) is Turkey's premier public research and development institution operating under the Ministry of Industry and Technology. The organization encompasses multiple research centers, institutes, and specialized units forming an integrated national R&D ecosystem. Key components include BİLGEM (Informatics and Information Security Research Center) with specialized institutes for cybersecurity, software, AI, electronics, and cryptology; MAM (Marmara Application Center) with energy, materials, and climate research; TBAE (Basic Sciences Research Institute); UZAY (Space Technologies); SAGE (Defense Industry); and UME (Metrology). The portfolio includes defense and security products (MILSEC-4 Secure IP Terminal, MGR Radar, Electronic Warfare systems), high-performance computing infrastructure (ARF-ACC Supercomputer, TRUBA), and advanced research in AI, blockchain, quantum technologies, and green hydrogen production. TÜBİTAK also operates support programs, scholarships, technology transfer office, and organizes TEKNOFEST technology competitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TEKNOFEST: World's largest aviation, space and technology festival organized in Turkey
• TÜBİTAK Bilim Ödülleri
• Bilim Olimpiyatları
• TÜBİTAK Fen Lisesi
• TRUBA
• TÜBİMER
• ARDEB
• TEYDEB
• BİDEB
• BİLGEM
• MAM
• SAGE
• TBAE
• UZAY
• UME
• TÜSSİDE
• ULAKBİM
• KARE
• TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM

Products and services

• MILSEC-4 Secure IP Terminal Next-generation secure IP communication terminal offering end-to-end encrypted voice, data, and video transmission over IP networks with PSTN compatibility. Features NATO SCIP compliance, national and AES crypto algorithms, and remote management capabilities. Sold to Turkish defense and government customers.
• MGR National Surveillance Radar Turkey's first indigenous and national civil surveillance radar system developed in cooperation with the State Airports Authority (DHMI) for civil air traffic surveillance.
• MARSsys Radio Spectrum Management System Automation system integrating spectrum information management and frequency analysis for military and civilian demands. Supports NATO SMADEF-XML standard for international coordination.
• Electronic Warfare Test and Evaluation Systems Open field test and analysis suite including SİMA, MARSsys, IR-DMAS, REDAY, RASES, E-WAR, and E-WAR ANALYSIS platforms for real threat integration, mobile and fixed test laboratories, and IR seeker head testing. Includes electronic warfare modeling and simulation for optimizing jamming and deception techniques.
• TRUBA / ARF-ACC High-Performance Computing Service High-performance computing infrastructure operated by TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM with the ARF-ACC supercomputer achieving rankings in the international TOP500 list. Provides HPC resources to Turkish universities and researchers.
• TÜRKSAT 6A Communication Satellite Turkey's first domestically developed communication satellite designed and built by TÜBİTAK UZAY Space Technologies Research Institute for national communications capability.
• ARDEB Academic Research Funding Program Academic R&D support program (Araştırma Destek Programları) that funds research projects at Turkish universities and public research institutions through structured application and peer review processes.
• TEYDEB Industrial R&D Funding Program Technology and Innovation Funding Programs Directorate providing grants and co-financing for industrial R&D, technology development, and innovation projects undertaken by Turkish private sector companies.
• BİDEB Science Fellowships and Scholarship Program Science Fellowships and Publication Support Directorate providing scholarships, grants, and research support to undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students across Turkey.
• TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival Annual technology festival organized by TÜBİTAK, described as the world's largest aviation, space and technology festival. Features technology competitions across multiple domains, demonstrations, and exhibitions engaging millions of participants.
• TÜBİTAK Science Olympiads Program National and international science olympiad program covering mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and informatics for K-12 students, identifying and developing scientific talent for Turkey's international competitions.
• TÜBİTAK Science High School Selective STEM high school operated by TÜBİTAK providing advanced science education to top-performing students as part of Turkey's scientific talent pipeline.
• Technology Transfer Office TÜBİTAK office managing intellectual property, patents, technology transfer, and licensing of technologies developed at TÜBİTAK research institutes to industry and government.

Quantifiable outcome

• TÜRKSAT 6A - First domestically developed Turkish communication satellite successfully operational
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Southern DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Lead partner in EU-funded SUPREME project to develop PFAS-free electrolysis for green hydrogen production. Project aims to reduce iridium usage by 75% and achieve 90% iridium recycling.
• Fraunhofer ISEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partner in SUPREME project contributing to membrane electrode development and next-generation PFAS-free membranes for sustainable green hydrogen production.
• TU Graz (Graz University of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partner in SUPREME project developing rotating electrolyser design and contributing to PFAS-free electrolysis technology research.
• Element One Energy ASminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partner in SUPREME project for green hydrogen production technology development.
• CeimigminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partner in SUPREME project contributing to green hydrogen technology development.
• TEKNOFESTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026TÜBİTAK is the primary organizer of TEKNOFEST, the world's largest aviation, space and technology festival, which showcases Turkish technological achievements and hosts technology competitions.
• COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTÜBİTAK represents Turkey in COST Program, participating in international scientific collaboration networks and receiving top rankings across multiple indicators in 2025.
• EU Horizon Europe / Framework ProgrammescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTÜBİTAK coordinates Turkish participation in EU research framework programs including Horizon Europe, managing bilateral project support and multilateral programs.
• NATOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTÜBİTAK BİLGEM technologies exported internationally alongside NATO. Cyber Security Institute participates in NATO Locked Shield exercises. Research contributions to NATO working groups on blockchain and information security.
• State Airports Authority (DHMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation to develop Turkey's first indigenous National Surveillance Radar (MGR) system for civil aviation.
• Forensic Medicine InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative workshop and cooperation protocol for forensic science technology development between TÜBİTAK BİLGEM and the institute.
• TÜSSİDE (Türkiye Sanayi Sevk ve İdare Enstitüsü)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTÜBİTAK institute focused on industrial management, engineering, and technology management research supporting industry.
• Turkish Ministry of Industry and TechnologycoreOthersTÜBİTAK operates under the Ministry of Industry and Technology, implementing national technology policies and the Milli Teknoloji Hamlesi (National Technology Move) initiative.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's leading applied research organization combining public funding with direct contract R&D for industry and government across defense, ICT, AI, energy, and materials. Closest analogue to TÜBİTAK's hybrid public-funder + direct-R&D-performer model and comparable scale and institute structure.
• CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique): France's largest public scientific research organization operating multiple disciplinary institutes covering physical, engineering, life, and computational sciences. Comparable to TÜBİTAK in scale, multi-institute structure, and role as the country's primary national research performer.
• Helmholtz Association: Germany's largest scientific organization running large-scale research infrastructures in energy, earth systems, health, and information. Comparable to TÜBİTAK in operating national-scale facilities (e.g., TRUBA HPC, UME metrology) and contributing to defense and space research.
• ASELSAN: Turkey's leading defense electronics company producing radar, EW, secure communications, and C4ISR systems. Directly competes with TÜBİTAK BİLGEM and SAGE on overlapping product lines (radar, MILSEC-class secure comms, EW test systems) within the same Turkish defense ecosystem.
• DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency): US Department of Defense agency funding high-risk, high-reward research in AI, cyber, quantum, space, and autonomous systems. Comparable to TÜBİTAK's defense-oriented advanced-tech portfolio (quantum, AI, EW, secure comms) and its role as a strategic-R&D enabler for national security.
• Max Planck Society: Germany's premier basic-research organization with 86 institutes covering physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and social sciences. Comparable to TÜBİTAK TBAE and MAM in conducting frontier research and operating a decentralized network of specialized institutes.
• TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries): Turkish Aerospace Industries designs and manufactures fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned systems including the KAAN national combat aircraft for which TÜBİTAK developed critical software. Directly comparable as a national aerospace flagship and a partner/competitor in defense aviation R&D.
• CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas): Spain's largest public research institution operating across life sciences, materials, physics, chemistry, and social sciences. Closely comparable to TÜBİTAK as a multi-disciplinary national research council that both performs in-house research and channels public funding across the country.

Broad incumbents

• NSF (National Science Foundation): US independent agency that funds basic and applied research across non-medical science and engineering. Most direct analogue to TÜBİTAK's role as Turkey's primary national S&T funding body (ARDEB/TEYDEB/BİDEB) and policy advisor, though NSF does not perform R&D directly.
• DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft): Germany's central research funding organization supporting universities and research institutions across all disciplines. Closely comparable to TÜBİTAK in role as a national S&T funding administrator and bilateral/international research cooperation coordinator, but without an in-house R&D execution mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tubitakiletisim
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/tubitaktv
• Facebookfacebook.com/tubitak
• LinkedIntr.linkedin.com/company/tubitak
• Instagraminstagram.com/tubitak

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries28 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments43 records

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Frequently asked questions about TÜBİTAK