Study in Turkey | Sabancı University YTB-Backed Scholarships 2026 |...

Study in Turkey | Sabancı University YTB-Backed Scholarships 2026

Posted 2026-04-17 10:00:10

Study in Tureky | Sabancı University YTB-Backed Scholarships 2026

Applications for the PURE Summer Research Program 2026 at Sabancı University opened on 14 April. Thirty international participants will receive a scholarship package co funded by Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) that covers airfare, accommodation, and a monthly stipend. The window closes on 28 April 2026, giving prospective applicants a narrow two week runway. If you want summer research experience in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, act now.

A Research Gateway into Türkiye

The PURE program stands for Projects for Undergraduate Research Experience. It serves as Sabancı University’s structured summer research initiative. International students apply directly to faculty led research projects listed on the PURE website. By doing so, you automatically enter consideration for the Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) award. No separate scholarship application exists. This dual track design serves a deliberate purpose. It allows the university to recruit the strongest research candidates while giving YTB the discretion to identify who among those accepted will receive financial backing.

What the YTB Scholarship Covers

Among all internationally accepted PURE participants, YTB selects 30 students for an enhanced package. Here is exactly what those awardees receive:

Monthly Stipend: 13,000 Turkish lira per month. Given the current exchange rate environment, this amount carries meaningful practical value inside Türkiye, even if its international purchasing power remains modest.
Round Trip International Flight: The scholarship covers your airfare to and from Türkiye.
Social and Cultural Activities: You gain access to curated excursions and events across the country.

All accepted international students, regardless of YTB selection, receive free on campus accommodation in shared dormitories at Sabancı University’s Tuzla campus on the Asian side of Istanbul. There is no application fee at any stage of the process.

Students not selected for the Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) award may still attend the PURE summer research program at their own expense. In that scenario, Sabancı provides an official acceptance letter and dormitory access but does not cover visa or travel costs.

Program Reputation and University Standing

Sabancı University consistently ranks among Türkiye’s top three research universities. The institution has built an internationally recognised profile across engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences. The PURE program has attracted applicants from across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America in previous cycles. It functions as an entry point not only into Turkish academic culture but also into a university that places notable emphasis on interdisciplinary research.

For undergraduate researchers seeking their first formal research experience outside their home country, this program offers a structured, low risk pathway. You receive supervised project work, funded accommodation, and for YTB awardees, a stipend and flight.

Who Should Apply

The PURE Summer Research Program 2026 primarily targets undergraduate students. However, the program’s structure can also accommodate early stage postgraduate researchers depending on the specific project. No published nationality restrictions apply. The YTB scholarship framework opens itself to international students broadly, consistent with Türkiye Scholarships’ global mandate.

Here is what you need to do to position yourself for selection:

Review Available Projects: Visit the PURE website and examine the faculty led research projects carefully. Acceptance is project specific.
Match Your Background: Align your academic background with the supervising faculty member’s work. This fit will be the decisive factor in selection.
Apply Immediately: The two week window leaves no room for delay. Submit your application as soon as possible.

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply

Deadline and Key Dates

Applications opened on 14 April 2026 at 16:00 local time. The portal will close on 28 April 2026. Candidates must create an account on the PURE platform to submit their materials. Sabancı University has noted that dates remain subject to change, so monitor official announcements.

The PURE Summer Research Program sits within a broader ecosystem of Türkiye Scholarships initiatives. Over the past decade, these programs have positioned Türkiye as a serious competitor in the international student recruitment market. For applicants from the Global South in particular, the combination of funded accommodation, a living stipend, and airfare through the YTB award makes the PURE program one of the more accessible summer research opportunities of its kind in the region.

Visit the Sabancı University PURE website today. Review the faculty led projects, prepare your application, and submit before 28 April. Your funded summer of research in Istanbul awaits.