Üsküdar Üniversitesi R&D and Innovation Policies Directorate organized the “TÜBİTAK ARDEB Programs Introductory Training” seminar, where Supported Projects Specialist Hande Özer Özarkun was the speaker. Özarkun provided important information by addressing the stages TÜBİTAK projects go through.
“Wet signature requirement in project applications abolished”
Hande Özer Özarkun provided information on how project execution stages work, stating: “The wet signature requirement for project applications has been abolished, and electronic signature is now an option. This has been a great convenience for applicants. Because I can say that the signature process was really frustrating for the faculty members. First, we complete our preliminary meetings with you. Generally, faculty members come with a project idea. When you say, ‘I have a project development goal, and I estimate the average budget to be this much,’ we research funds suitable for the nature of your project and match them with you. Then, we start project preparations and conduct our evaluations together. Since you are expert academicians in your field, we cannot interfere with the original value and methodology part of the projects, but we can only check if they are written in accordance with the project jargon, project format, and public support format. Your projects meet with us within the framework of confidentiality. You send them to us, and we evaluate your projects without any leakage or sharing. After the project reaches the ready stage and all document preparations are completed, we can provide you with application support. After your project is accepted and contracts are signed, the allocation is transferred to the university. In the subsequent stages, we provide full benefit to your project's execution support in close cooperation with financial affairs.” She said.
“Definitely start project preparations 3 to 6 months in advance”
Emphasizing that ample time should be allocated for project preparations, Özarkun said, “I strongly advise faculty members to start project preparations three to six months in advance. Unfortunately, we tend to start preparing projects only after the project call is announced. This is absolutely critical in terms of process and time management. If you start preparing your projects before the call is opened, you won't be in a rush during the application period. Otherwise, there's panic; some faculty members even upload their applications in the last five seconds, and there's immense stress. Of course, in such a situation, we also get very stressed. To avoid this, it can be much more comfortable for you if you allow yourself time in advance and start your project preparations.”
“R&D must be conducted domestically”
Hande Özer Özarkun said; “Ensure that your project involves domestic fieldwork. Except for social sciences, TÜBİTAK does not support fieldwork abroad. R&D must be conducted domestically. You can go abroad for things like symposiums or project meetings with projects, but R&D must be done 100% domestically.”
Application forms must be up-to-date!
Özarkun stated; “A very important point is that your project application forms must be up-to-date. This is also a reason for rejection by TÜBİTAK. One of the innovations made by TÜBİTAK in 2020 is that if your project has been rejected twice for its original value, you cannot apply with the same project a third time.”