Since 2012, TÜBİTAK has been implementing various support programs targeting Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), which operate to transform research outputs generated within universities into economic value; to foster university–industry collaboration; to enable universities to benefit from national and international funding mechanisms; to promote knowledge-based academic entrepreneurship; and to commercialize intellectual and industrial property rights.
The performance of TTOs is evaluated based on their outputs in the commercialization of university research results and in the context of public–university–industry interaction. In addition to the structural differences of universities and regional factors, the institutional capacities of TTOs also affect their performance. One of the key components of institutional capacity is the competencies of the Technology Transfer Professionals (TTPs) employed within TTOs.
TTPs with competencies in the following areas are expected to contribute to the performance of TTOs:
• Market opportunity awareness
• Intellectual property strategy
• Business development
• Conversion of research outputs into economic value
The objective of the 1601-2023-1 Call is to encourage TTOs to employ new TTPs capable of carrying out the aforementioned activities at a minimum level, or to ensure the continuity of existing TTPs.
At the application stage, the upper limit of the project budget for a 24-month project duration shall be calculated as follows:
A (Personnel Costs) = 24 × 6 × gross minimum wage valid at the application date
B (Service Procurement Costs) = A × 5%
C (Overheads) = (A + B) × 5%
D (Maximum Project Budget) = A + B + C
This amount includes overhead costs. Any increases in personnel costs during the support period shall be considered within the scope of support.
The Call is open for continuous submission until otherwise announced by TÜBİTAK. Project proposals submitted within the periods specified below shall be grouped and evaluated by means of a panel review process.
Application Periods:
Period | Time Interval |
1 | 1 January – 28 February |
2 | 1 March – 30 April |
3 | 1 May – 30 June |
4 | 1 July – 31 August |
5 | 1 September – 31 October |
6 | 1 November – 31 December |
Support will be provided in the form of grants under the 1601 Technology Transfer Professional Call. The support rate specified in the Letter of Grant Decision shall remain fixed throughout the project duration.
Destek Oranları | A new TTP will be employed within the scope of the project supported under the TTP Call (for the requirement on new employment, please refer to the Call Announcement). | ||
Yes | No | ||
Technology Transfer Office has completed the support process under the TÜBİTAK 1513 Technology Transfer Offices Support Programme (TTO 1513).” | Yes | %60 | %40 |
No | %80 | %60 | |
Eligible Cost Items:
• Personnel Costs: Personnel costs of 1 TTP shall be covered within the scope of the support. The TTP must be employed full-time and without interruption throughout the project duration. The personnel cost included in the project budget shall not be less than 4 times and shall not exceed 6 times the gross minimum wage applicable in the relevant period.
• Service Procurement Costs: Training services may be procured to enhance the existing competencies of the TTP and to enable the acquisition of new competencies. The total amount of such training services shall not exceed %5 of personnel costs.
The following institutions and organizations are eligible to apply under the 1601 Technology Transfer Professional Call:
• Entities acting on behalf of higher education institutions operating under Law No. 2547, including:
– Units within higher education institutions responsible for technology transfer activities.
– Capital companies operating in accordance with the Regulation on Technology Transfer Offices of Higher Education Institutions (Official Gazette dated 07/12/2017 and numbered 30263).
– Units within technology development zone management companies or companies established for TTO activities in accordance with Law No. 4691, in which the higher education institution is a shareholder.
• Research infrastructures that have legal personality under Law No. 6550.
Applications to TÜBİTAK shall be submitted online via Turkish Scientific And Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK) Project Evaluation and Tracking System (PRODİS).
Project proposals shall be evaluated through a panel review process based on the following criteria:
• Technical and/or technological adequacy
– Vision and strategic plan of the TTO
– Module-based methods implemented/to be implemented
• Feasibility of the project
– Qualifications and experience of the TTP
– Project collaborations
– Contributions and support provided by the university/research infrastructure to the TTO
• Impact of the project
– Contribution of the TTP to the institutional development of the TTO
– Sustainability of TTO activities