Crossing the Bridge - November 2014
by Nilay Papila
Do You Know Your Commitments When Accepting a Research Fellow from Turkey?
New research funding programs are steadily introduced in Turkey and Europe (EU). They also include various grants and fellowships promoting academic visits and brain circulation for which I am often consulted on the key differences and requirements. Therefore, in this article, I will be sharing the up to date fellowship programs that allow scientist/fellows to visit institutes in the USA and their requirements/commitments.
TUBITAK and YOK (Higher Education Council) fellowship programs require an agreement signed between the fellow and the sponsoring agency. Therefore, no signatures and other commitments are necessary to fulfill the requirements of these fellowships by the US based host. Providing an invitation letter for these programs are typically sufficient and from the sponsored funding agency point of view fellow is the only responsible party.
As for the EU fellowships, the fellow must commit to go back to one of the EU Member or Associated States after the visiting fellowship term is over. For this reason, the grant agreements must be signed between an institute in EU Member or Associated State and the European Commission (EC). Even though, the US host institute is not a part of the grant agreement, EC requires the information and commitment of the US institute including the benefits at the application stage. After the fellowship term is over, the host institute in the US is committed to report on the performance and efficiency of the fellow by responding the questionnaire sent by the EC.
Below is the information on some specific visiting fellowship programs as guidance. for making decisions easer on an inquiry for an invitation and/or support letter to the researchers/fellows planning to visit your institute.
1. TÜBİTAK 2213 – SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR PhD STUDIES ABROAD ON PRIORITY FIELDS*
1800 USD/ month
+60000 USD/ year including tuition, social security
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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICANT • Must be a Turkish Citizen • Must be under 35 at the beginning of application year • ALES Score over 75, or equivalent GMAT or GRE • Min Undergraduate GPA of 3.00/4 or 75/100, Min MS/MA GPA of 3.20/4 or 81.33/100 • Language Certification |
COMMITMENTS OF THE HOST INSTITUTE IN THE USA • Acceptance or invitation letter required for the application |
*The priority fields: Materials , Biomaterials , Energy , Electric-Electronic, Optic, Nanotechnology , Nuclear Energy , Renewable Energy , Microbiology , Biotechnology, Animal and Plat Biotechnology , Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management , System Engineering, Data Security , Software Verification, development and engineering , Satellite, Space Systems
2. TÜBİTAK 2214-A -PhD RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP*
1800 USD /month for US
Duration: 12 months
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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICANT • Must be a Turkish citizen • Must register at a PhD program in a Turkish university, and pass proficiency exam • Must not benefit from any international TÜBİTAK Scholarship Programs in the past |
COMMITMENTS OF THE HOST INSTITUTE IN THE USA • Acceptance or invitation letter required for the application |
*:Natural Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Medical Studies, Social Sciences
3. TÜBİTAK 2219 POST-DOC RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
2500 USD /month for US
Duration: 12 Months
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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICANT • Must be a Turkish citizen • Received doctoral degree or passed doctoral proficiency exam • Language Certification (Over 60 for KPDS, ÜSD, YDS; 198 for new, 531 for old, and 72 for internet-based TOEFL; at least 4 for each section at IELTS) • Must not benefit from the TÜBİTAK International Scholarships more than 12 months for the last 3 years |
COMMITMENTS OF THE HOST INSTITUTE IN THE USA • Acceptance or invitation letter required for the application |
*:Natural Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Medical Studies, Social Sciences
4. YÖK -INTERNATIONAL PhD SUPPORT
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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICANT • Must be a Turkish citizen • Must be employed as a research assistant at a higher education institution according to the LAW 2547 33/a • Must register a PhD program at least four years as of the application date, • Must not benefit from any public support to go abroad for more than one month • Language Certification (Over 65 at ÜDS, KPDS or any equivalent international certificate) • No military obligation for male candidates |
COMMITMENTS OF THE HOST INSTITUTE IN THE USA • Acceptance letter from a higher education institution ranked among 500 Universities in the Times Higher Education, Shanghai, QS, and/or URAP ranking lists |
5. EU H2020 MARIE-SKLODOWSKA CURIE GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP
55800 Euro/year (Mobility allowance, Family allowance, Research, training and networking costs, Management and indirect costs are additional)
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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICANT • Must be either a citizen or a long-term resident of a EU Member or Associate State. • Must be an experienced researcher (min 4 years of research experience after undergrad degree) • Must not have resided or carried out main activity in the Third Country where the outgoing phase takes place more than 12 months for the last 3 years. • Must return to EU Member or Associate State after the outgoing phase and must stay in EU at least 12 months after the fellowship ends |
COMMITMENTS OF THE HOST INSTITUTE IN THE USA • Invitation/Support letter required for the application • Must be located in a third-country • Must report on the performance and efficiency of the fellow by responding the questionnaire sent by the EC after the fellowship ends |