TÜBİTAK joined the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) as a Founding Member, following its official launch on November 4, 2018.
ANSO was established in response to the Beijing Declaration, announced in 2016 under the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The Beijing Declaration emphasized strengthening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI) to support development in the Belt and Road Region and outlined the establishment of a common innovation platform and a long-term cooperation mechanism. Additionally, the Declaration committed to creating an international cooperation framework for science and technology in the Belt and Road Region, which led to the foundation of ANSO.
Under the umbrella of ANSO, joint projects, workshops, and seminars are organized with countries in the Belt and Road Region, alongside researcher exchanges and collaborative training programs.
As of January 2022, TÜBİTAK has been elected as a Governing Board Member of ANSO. The Governing Board works closely with the ANSO Secretariat to prepare all necessary reports for the General Assembly and is responsible for strategic decision-making, the preparation of management documents, and the high-level administration of ANSO.
A. ANSO Scientific Support Programs
ANSO Research Projects (ANSO Science Program)
The ANSO Research Program aims to support multilateral scientific collaboration among ANSO members, partners, and international organizations. It seeks to tackle major scientific challenges and launch joint projects focused on human well-being and livelihoods.
ANSO funds two types of research projects:
ANSO-CAS Joint Research Projects:
Supports collaborative research between CAS-affiliated research centers and other ANSO member institutions.
ANSO Collaborative Research Projects:
An annual call for research project proposals is announced to all ANSO members. TÜBİTAK disseminates these announcements to all its central units and institutes, prioritizing projects within key scientific focus areas.
B. ANSO Capacity-Building Support Programs
Capacity-building is a core approach of ANSO, aimed at enhancing global scientific talent through training, education, and exchange opportunities. Several programs have been designed and launched under this initiative:
1. ANSO Young Talents Fellowship (Talent Program)
Each year, ANSO announces a fellowship program for master's and PhD researchers to conduct research at two CAS-affiliated institutions:
- University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
2. ANSO Visiting Fellowship at Mega-Science Facilities
ANSO has launched a visiting fellowship program to support researchers in conducting studies at China’s mega-science centers.
3. ANSO Training Programs (Capacity-Building Program)
Various training and education programs are organized under ANSO to enhance scientific collaboration and skill development.