Applications for the TDBB Master’s and Doctoral Thesis Support Program for the 2026–2027 Academic Year Have Begun

The application period for the 2026–2027 academic year of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) Master’s and Doctoral Thesis Support Program has begun. Within this framework, the principles of the support program have been determined for students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs at universities in Türkiye who have reached the thesis stage and whose thesis topics are related to “Local Governments, Urban Studies and Common Cultural Heritage in the Turkic Republics and Related Communities.” Applications for the Graduate Thesis Studies Support Program may be submitted to the Union’s address info@tdbb.org.tr until 31 October 2026, within the framework of the implementation principles below.

The Implementation Principles of the Master’s and Doctoral Thesis Support Program constitute a support program for students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs at universities in Türkiye who have reached the thesis stage and whose thesis topics are related to “Local Governments, Urban Studies and Common Cultural Heritage in the Turkic Republics and Related Communities.” The program aims to reinforce the understanding of “local governments and urban studies” in TDBB’s target geography—the Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia—with contemporary academic developments, while supporting TDBB’s activities aimed at increasing cooperation and experience sharing among local governments in the Turkic Republics and Related Communities and developing the historical and cultural heritage of these regions, as well as the understanding of local government and urbanism.

Application and Evaluation Process

TDBB provides support to candidates selected by the Selection Committee for their thesis studies on “Local Governments, Urban Studies and Common Cultural Heritage in the Turkic Republics and Related Communities.”

The successful candidates are determined following an interview conducted by the Selection Committee, assessing their academic and intellectual competence, as well as their interest in and command of the research project.

Support Period: Under the 2026–2027 academic year TDBB Master’s and Doctoral Thesis Support Program, the total amount of support to be provided to master’s students is TRY 20,000 for a period of one year. For doctoral students, the support period is three years, with TRY 20,000 provided in the first year, while the amount for subsequent years will be calculated based on a rate of increase to be determined. Payments will be made in three equal installments per year following the approval of a progress report submitted by the student every four months.

The required conditions are as follows: graduation from a four-year full-time faculty of a university in Türkiye or a foreign university recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK); for male candidates, completion or deferment of military service; for master’s students, a minimum course grade point average of 3.00 out of 4.00 or 75 out of 100; for doctoral students, a minimum course grade point average of 3.15 out of 4.00 or 80 out of 100; and completion of the coursework stage, determination and approval of the thesis topic.

The application process will be concluded within three months from the submission of the required documents.

The required documents are as follows: Application Form; National Identity Card or Residence Permit and passport; Student Certificate; reference letter from the academic advisor; Letter of Intent (250–300 words); draft for the approved thesis proposal (100–150 words); for master’s students, bachelor’s diploma and bachelor’s transcript; for doctoral students, master’s diploma and master’s transcript.

The candidate must bring the originals of the above-mentioned documents with them during the interview. Applications are made by filling out the application form available on TDBB’s website and sending the required documents in PDF format via email to info@tdbb.org.tr.

Those who are entitled to receive support under the Support Program are obliged, taking into account the starting date notified by the Committee, to submit a progress report every four months and a final report at the end of the research project. Progress and final reports must be prepared in accordance with the prescribed format and procedure and sent as PDF files to info@tdbb.org by the required deadline. If the reports are not submitted by the required date, the submission of the relevant report to the Committee will be awaited before subsequent payments are made. Progress reports are evaluated by the Committee and/or academics appointed by the Committee. Based on this evaluation, revisions may be requested for reports deemed unsuitable by the Committee. In the event that progress reports are not submitted or the revisions are found insufficient, the continuation of the support will be evaluated by the Committee. The Committee may request that the successful student publish articles and/or research reports, and present papers at symposiums, congresses or scientific meetings during or after the completion of their research. Theses deemed appropriate by the Committee may be published as books by TDBB.

Cases in Which Support Will Be Terminated: The student’s graduation from the educational institution they are attending; the student receiving any disciplinary or suspension penalty from the institution they are attending; failure to complete the thesis within the allotted period; detection of false information or documents (in this case, the amount of support provided up to that date will be recovered from the individual); determination by the Committee that the individual has been unsuccessful. Apart from these situations, the successful applicant may request the suspension of support due to force majeure circumstances.

Application Form 2026: