The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (, TÃÂBðTAK) is a national agency of Turkey whose stated goal is to develop "science, technology and innovation" (STI) policies, support and conduct research and development, and to "play a leading role in the creation of a science and technology culture" in the country.
TÃÂBðTAK develops scientific and technological policies and manages R&D institutes, carrying on research, technology and development studies in line with "national priorities". TÃÂBðTAK also acts as an advisory agency to the Turkish government and acts as the secretariat of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology, the highest science and technology policymaking body in Turkey.
TÃÂBðTAK was established by President Cemal Gürsel, who initially formed a scientific council in 1960 to advise the Ministry of Defense. This effort paralleled the creation of a separate scientific law council tasked with drafting the new constitution of the Turkish Republic. President Gürsel later expanded this initiative by founding the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey as a broader continuation of the Ministry of Defense's Scientific Council. The primary role of TÃÂBðTAK was to guide the government's plans and policies.
Subsequently, the bill "278" passed on July 24, 1963, in the new era of planned economy subsequent to the first five-year development plan of the country, set the official record for the Council's presence and duties. Cahit Arf, who was appointed by Gursel as the founding director and whose leading foundation work was assisted by a group of scientists including Erdal ðnönü, was subsequently named as the first chairman of the Council on December 26, 1963. The Council's first ten members were professors Erdal ðnönü, Ratip Berker, Hikmet Binark, Mecit ÃÂaÃÂatay, Reà Âat Garan, Feza Gürsey, Orhan Ià Âñk, , Atñf à Âengün and ðhsan TopaloÃÂlu. They nominated Nimet ÃÂzdaà  as the first secretary general of TÃÂBðTAK effective March 1, 1964.
At that time of its establishment, TÃÂBðTAK's primary tasks at the time were supporting basic and applied academic research and encouraging careers in science by providing incentives to young researchers, in particular to those working in natural sciences. To carry out these tasks, four research grant committees were set up to fund projects in the areas of basic sciences, engineering, medicine, agriculture and animal husbandry. The number now stands at ten and also includes one assigned to social sciences and humanities, all functioning under the Research Support Programmes Department. A separate âÂÂScientist Training GroupâÂÂ, also set up at the time to orient promising students towards scientific careers and help their advancement thereafter, has now evolved into the present Science Fellowships and Grant Programmes Division.
TÃÂBðTAK is responsible for the development and coordination of scientific research in line with the national targets and priorities, set by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÃÂBA). More than 2,500 researchers work at the 15 different research institutes and research centers attached to TÃÂBðTAK, where both contract-based and targeted nationwide research is conducted. TÃÂBðTAK represents Turkey in international research efforts including memberships in European Science Foundation and the European Union Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development.
Following research centers and institutes are subordinate to TÃÂBðTAK:
TÃÂBðTAK publishes 11 English-language, peer-reviewed and diamond open access academic journals in different scientific fields. TÃÂBðTAK's first scientific journal was established in December 1976 under the title DoÃÂa Bilim Dergisi. TÃÂBðTAK's portfolio includes: