TÜBİTAK · 1501 Industrial R&D Projects
Direct grant funding
for industrial R&D projects.
TÜBİTAK Programme 1501 provides direct grant financing for R&D projects carried out by industrial organisations. This support, which covers a large share of the project budget, includes personnel, equipment, materials and outsourced service costs. Evaluation is based on technical innovation level, commercial viability and project team competence.
Programme Code
1501
Industrial R&D Projects Support Programme
Grant Rates (by Company Size)
Scope and Eligibility Requirements
TÜBİTAK 1501 is one of the most established national programmes offering direct grant support for R&D projects carried out by industrial organisations within their own structures. There is no scale restriction; firms of any size, from SMEs to large industrial organisations, may apply. The fundamental condition is that the project must involve systematic R&D activity aimed at developing a new product, process, method or system.
Evaluation is conducted on three axes: technical innovation level and R&D content, commercial viability and market potential, and the project team's competence and organisational capacity. Referee assessment directly affects the quality of the project content; the better the project form is structured at the application stage, the higher the probability of acceptance.
The upper limit of the project budget is not fixed in programme regulations; in practice, the budget must be grounded in reasonable justification. The grant rate varies according to company size and the region in which the investment is made. Akbaş structures the framework from the outset to secure the most advantageous grant rate.
Grant Scope
Six expense categories covering
the project budget.
The expense categories eligible under Programme 1501 cover the large majority of project costs. Correctly reflecting each item in the budget both secures the maximum grant amount and reduces audit risk to zero.
Personnel Costs
Gross salaries and employer social security contributions for researchers, technicians and support staff assigned to the R&D project. Documented via project-based timesheets; this item typically represents the largest share of the total budget.
Machinery & Equipment / Tools, Software
Purchases of machinery, measurement instruments, prototype equipment and licensed software to be used directly within the project scope. Fixed assets may only be assessed up to the depreciation share attributable to the project.
Materials and Supplies
Raw material, semi-finished product and consumable costs used in prototype production and testing processes. Direct linkage to project activities is mandatory; purchases for stock purposes are excluded from scope.
Consultancy and Outsourced Services
Technical consultancy, testing and analysis services procured externally within the project scope, and university collaborations. Their share of the total budget is capped under programme regulations.
Domestic and International Travel
Domestic and international travel, accommodation and per diem expenses for project personnel. Travel for conferences, symposia and collaboration meetings may be included in this category when properly documented.
Overhead
The portion of indirect costs attributable to the project, such as project management costs, rent, energy and communications. Capped at a defined ratio of total personnel costs; accurate calculation during budget design is essential.
Working Process
From application to grant confirmation:
five-stage management.
A 1501 application is not merely a matter of drafting a technical document. Structuring the project content in line with referee criteria, grounding the budget on a defensible rationale, and managing reporting periods without gaps carry equal weight.
Programme Eligibility & Project Pre-Assessment
The company's R&D activities and the intended project content are assessed against 1501 programme criteria. Innovation level, technical maturity and commercial potential are analysed at this stage. It is also clarified whether the project is better suited to 1501 or to programmes such as 1507 or 1511. This pre-assessment determines which strengths the file will be built upon.
Project Design & Budget Structuring
The project form is written with TÜBİTAK's evaluation criteria in mind. R&D content, innovation claim, technical risk analysis and the business plan are consolidated into a coherent application file. Budget items are structured with realistic and defensible justification; an insufficient budget reduces the probability of acceptance just as much as an inflated one.
Online Application & Referee Process
The prepared file is submitted to TÜBİTAK via the e-Bideb system. Once the preliminary review is passed, it proceeds to technical referee evaluation. Responses to referee questions directly affect the acceptance decision; this stage is managed under Akbaş coordination. Any additional information or document requests from the company are addressed without delay.
Project Execution & Periodic Reporting
Once the project is approved for support, the implementation phase begins. Expenditures are made and documented in line with budget items. At the end of each period (typically six months), technical and financial reports are submitted to TÜBİTAK. Reporting quality directly affects the following period's payment; Akbaş participates actively throughout this entire process.
Project Closure & Grant Confirmation
At the end of the project period, the final technical and financial report is prepared and submitted to TÜBİTAK. Once the closure review is completed successfully, the grant is confirmed and the remaining payment is released. All documents and clarifications requested during the audit process are handled by Akbaş; the company does not conduct any official correspondence on its own.
Example Scenario
The grant value,
seen in figures.
Instead of abstract programme clauses, a concrete scenario: a line-by-line grant calculation for a 24-month R&D project.
Scenario Parameters
Line-by-Line Grant Calculation (75%)
Grant rates vary by company size and region. The example calculation is based on 75% for SME status. Actual budget and grant amounts are determined according to the project scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
About
Programme 1501.
Does the company need an established R&D unit to apply?
No. Programme 1501 does not require a TÜBİTAK-approved R&D centre or unit. Possessing adequate technical infrastructure and a team capable of conducting R&D activities is sufficient. However, the quality of the project team is a significant criterion during the evaluation process; structuring the team effectively directly affects the success rate.
How does the grant rate vary by company size?
SMEs can receive grants of up to 75% of the project budget, while the rate for large enterprises is 60%. Additionally, for companies investing in less-developed regions (such as Zone 6), the rate may be increased through a regional incentive contribution. Company size is determined by jointly assessing headcount, annual net turnover and balance sheet total.
Is there an upper limit on the project budget?
Programme 1501 does not set a fixed upper limit on the project budget in its regulations. However, the budget must be proportional to the project content and grounded in defensible justification. During referee evaluation, an excessive budget proposal may create a negative impression regarding the viability of the project. A realistic and well-structured budget is just as important as avoiding an insufficient one.
Can applications be submitted at any time of year?
Yes. Programme 1501 is a continuously open programme with no fixed application periods. Once the application file is ready, it may be submitted at any time via the e-Bideb system. This structure provides important flexibility for companies with urgent R&D needs; there is no need to wait for a call schedule.
Is reporting mandatory during the project period, and how are reports prepared?
Yes. Technical and financial reports must be submitted at the end of each period (typically six-month periods). The technical report covers the R&D activities carried out during that period, the findings obtained, and the plan for the next period. The financial report documents expenditures by budget item. Timely and complete submission of reports directly affects the following period's payment instalment.
project analysis
Is your 1501 project suitable for this programme?
Your R&D activities and project idea are assessed to analyse 1501 eligibility, the estimated grant amount and the probability of success.
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