TURKISH RESEARCH AREA (TRA)

TÜBİTAK, in collaboration with the relevant public agencies, academia, private sector and the NGOs developed a National Science and Technology Strategy spanning the timeframe between 2005-2010. Participatory workshops attended by all parties involved in RDI were organized and a jointly agreed vision and mission of the country’s S&T strategy was adopted.

The mission and vision were then approved by the Supreme Council for Science and Technology (SCST) headed by the Prime Minister that is the highest body for designing the Turkish science policy in September 2004.  In the same meeting and the following one in March 2005 the strategic goals, objectives, priorities and general mechanisms and funding policies were delineated. Also an Implementation Plan was also introduced that ensures translation of those strategic elements into actions that broadly defines main areas of action together with the responsible agencies and timelines.
As the main modality for this strategy a Turkish Research Area (TRA) was defined composing of all private and public entities that either perform, fund or demand R&D activities.

a. To increase GERD to 2% during the period from 2005 to 2013.
b. To raise the number of full-time equivalent scientists up to 150,000 in 2013.

Main Objectives of Turkish Research Area:
To increase the quality of life in Turkey
To find solutions to social problems
To increase the competitive power of our country
To create awareness and interest in STI in the society

Basic Targets of Turkish Research Area:
To increase the share of R&D expenditures in GDP
To increase the demand for R&D
To increase the number and the quality of R&D personnel