Crossing the Bridge –March 2013

By Nilay Papila, PhD

“Research Destination Turkey”

Brain drain has been an issue for developing countries for many years. In late 1990’s, instead of reversing the brain drain; a new concept of brain circulation has emerged highlighting the importance of dissemination of the international knowledge and experience the expatriates had when working or studying in a foreign country. Establishing such a circular movement certainly brings intangible knowledge that proves invaluable for the country's development.

Turkey, attaching great importance to the global mobility of researchers, also desires to attract researchers from the USA towards Europe by advancing the brain circulation between the two continents.

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has been the key actor to facilitate the brain circulation of the Turkish science diaspora in the U.S.A. Since 2010, TUBITAK has been organizing a series of workshops in the U.S.A. themed as “Research Destination Turkey: European and National Funding Opportunities for Brain Circulation, R&D Cooperation and Research Career”. This workshop series is expected to contribute to the transfer of knowledge from the USA to Turkey and Europe as well as the advancement of international research collaboration between the two continents, aiming a win-win case for both parties.

The workshops were previously held in Ann Arbor – Boston – Chicago – New York – Maryland- California. A total of 18 research organizations and universities came together with 900 researchers. Representatives from the institutions in Turkey were able to reach out and state their interest in hosting the researchers if they decide to return to or visit Turkey for both long or short terms.

As continuation of efforts to reach out researchers in the U.S.A., TÜBİTAK will be organizing three more workshops in 2013. This year’s events will be held on April, 6 – 10,  2013 in three new locations: “Texas – Georgia – North Carolina”. 

During these events, TÜBİTAK will share possible National and International funding opportunities that can facilitate the brain circulation.  Researchers participating to the workshops will have an update on the opportunities under Marie Curie Actions and TÜBİTAK mobility funds from TUBITAK and European Commission representatives.

• Career Integration Grant of the FP7 Marie Curie Actions provide a flat rate contribution to the researchers and support up to four years to contribute to the research costs.
• International Incoming Fellowship of the FP7 Marie Curie Actions covers all living, mobility and training expenses of the researchers during research project lifetime.
• TÜBİTAK Fellowships for Visiting Scientists and Scientists on Sabbatical Leave covers a flat rate of monthly living allowance, travel and health insurance expenses. Duration of the stays should be 3-12 months.
• TÜBITAK Co-Funded Brain Circulation Scheme (Co-Circulation Scheme) offers support for 100 Turkish and foreign experienced researchers for periods of 20-24 months and provides both research and employment opportunities in academic or industrial institutions established in Turkey.

All of the programs mentioned above accept a bottom-up approach, i.e. research fields are freely chosen by the applicants, and are cross-cutting, i.e. they cover any scientific domain.

The workshops will take place at the following locations and dates:

• April 6, 2013, Saturday – University of Houston, Houston, Texas
UC Houston Room (Rm: 251)
University Center
University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-3049

• April 8, 2013, Monday -  Duke University, Raleigh, North Carolina
The York Room in Divinity School,
the West Campus-Duke University,  (Rm: 0016W )
Chapel Dr, Durham, NC 27705

• April 10, 2013, Wednesday – Southern Politechnic State University, Marietta-Atlanta, Georgia
Engineering Technology Center , Auditorium
(Also known as Q Building, Rm: Q202)
1100 South Marietta Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30060

If you are in the area of one of the workshop locations and can attend these events, you will certainly make an invaluable investment for your career, sabbatical and/or summer research plans.

More information can be reached from TUBITAK at www.fp7.org.tr/destinationturkey2013 or by e-mail destinationturkey@tubitak.gov.tr.

 
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