TÜBA-GEBİP Annual Scientific Evaluation Meeting Held in Didim

TÜBA-GEBİP Annual Scientific Evaluation MeetingThe TÜBA-GEBİP Annual Scientific Evaluation Meeting and Turkish Young Academy Conferences took place on 23–26 October 2026 at Ankara University’s Didim ÖRSEM Facilities in Aydın. The meeting brings together Türkiye’s outstanding young scientists.

The Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) has run its Outstanding Young Scientist Awards Programme (TÜBA-GEBİP) since 2001. The programme supports young scientists with outstanding research records, financially and academically, for three years. This year Ankara University hosted the programme’s traditional annual evaluation meeting. Award holders, Academy members and researchers came together for two and a half days.

Opening and Turkish Young Academy Conferences

The meeting opened on Friday, 23 October, with a moment of silence, the National Anthem and the TÜBA promotional film. TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker then gave the opening address and spoke about the importance of the programme:

“Through the TÜBA-GEBİP Programme, which we have run without interruption since 2001, we have so far honoured a total of 697 scientists, and we have become a family that grows every year. Beyond supporting high-quality research by our young scientists, the programme gives them a strong academic environment where they can share their knowledge, learn from one another and build new collaborations. We see TÜBA-GEBİP not merely as an award and support programme, but as a long-term science platform that brings together the young researchers who will shape Türkiye’s scientific future, around academic excellence and solidarity.”

The Turkish Young Academy Conferences followed the opening. TÜBA Full Member Prof. Dr. Zafer Evis gave a talk titled “Rare Earth Elements: History, Geopolitical Strategies, Production and Industrial Applications”. TÜBA Full Member Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin then spoke on “From Idea to Clinic: Translational Research and Next-Generation Therapies in Regenerative Medicine”.

Turkish Young Academy Presentation

Turkish Young Academy President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mürsel Doğrul gave a presentation titled “Turkish Young Academy: Institutionalisation”. He explained that the Young Academy grew out of TÜBA-GEBİP. It was formally established in 2021 and began its activities in 2022. Its legal framework was completed with a regulation published in the Official Gazette on 27 June 2025. The Board of Directors has 10 members including the President, with three members from each of the three main fields of science.

Participants also discussed the membership criteria. Holders of the TÜBA-GEBİP, TÜBİTAK Incentive and TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Incentive awards may become members by decision of the Academy Council. Accomplished scientists aged 45 or under may also be admitted if a TÜBA member nominates them and the Council and General Assembly approve. Membership ends at the age of 50.

Doğrul also noted that the Young Academy represents Türkiye at meetings of ALLEA, the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the International Science Council (ISC) and the Global Young Academy (GYA). In October 2026 the Young Academy attended the ISC meeting in Beijing, and it is contributing to preparations for the World Science Forum, to be held in Istanbul in 2027. The first day closed with the TÜBA Talk, moderated by President Şeker, which focused on questions, answers and open exchange of views.

Young Scientists Present Their Projects

On the second and third days, TÜBA-GEBİP award holders presented their work in three parallel sessions: Science and Engineering, Health and Life Sciences, and Social Sciences. They shared their projects and their scientific progress over the past year. In the sessions, chaired by Academy members, participants discussed how to evaluate and develop the projects. Each day ended with a general evaluation session attended by all award holders and Academy members.

Yaşargil and Sancar Documentaries Premiere

Two documentaries that the Academy had worked on for a long time were shown to an audience for the first time. On the evening of the second day, participants watched the documentary on the late Prof. Dr. Gazi Yaşargil, TÜBA Honorary Member. On the evening of the third day, they watched the documentary on Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, also a TÜBA Honorary Member.

Turkish Young Academy Board Meets

The Turkish Young Academy Board of Directors also held its regular October meeting during the event.

From GEBİP to the Turkish Young Academy, and from the Young Academy to TÜBA Membership

The closing session reviewed the two-and-a-half-day programme. TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker described the academic career path for young scientists: becoming a TÜBA-GEBİP award holder, then a Turkish Young Academy member, then a TÜBA member. He explained how each step works and outlined the next steps ahead.