Why Participation in Academic Conferences is Important in Turkey
Travel scholarships offer great economic and career opportunities for students studying or attending an academic event in Turkey. Especially for international students, these grants provide the opportunity to meet scientific circles, build academic networks and explore different cities. My first conference experience was also made possible by a travel grant, and I am not exaggerating when I say that it changed the direction of my life.
Career opportunities for international students
Academic conferences are especially valuable for international students to learn more about job and graduate school opportunities in Turkey. A professor who notices you at the event you attend may write a reference letter in the future. Or you can meet a company official and open the door to an internship.
Social and cultural gains of conferences
It is not only the academic but also the social benefits. Conferences organized in Turkey are often supported by cultural excursions, city tours or evening gatherings. At these events, you have the opportunity to meet students from different countries. This is where Student Clubs in Turkey and Participation in Organizations comes into play. Thanks to the clubs, it is possible to attend many conferences for free or at a discount.
TUBITAK 2224-A and 2224-B Programs and Travel Scholarships
Among the travel grants offered to students in Turkey, TUBITAK’s 2224-A and 2224-B programs are among the most well-known. Both programs were implemented to encourage students to take an active part in scientific activities.
2224-A Foreign Scientific Event Participation Support
This program supports participation in conferences, congresses, symposia and workshops held abroad. TUBITAK covers many expenses, including airfare, accommodation and event fees.
Support Amount (2025):
| Type of Expenditure | Support Limit |
|---|---|
| Air tickets | Included |
| Hospitality | Included |
| Event fee | Included |
| Total | Assessed on an individual basis |
For more information, you can visit the official TUBITAK page.
2224-B Scholarship Options for Domestic Conferences
If the event is in Turkey, the 2224-B program comes into play. With this scholarship, up to 190.70 USD in total (current upper limit of 2024) can be supported for expenses such as travel, accommodation and participation fees within the scope of travel scholarships. Especially master’s and doctoral students benefit from this support frequently.
New upper limits and application dates (2025 current)
TBITAK updates its support limits at the beginning of each year. For applications made after January 1, 2024, the new limit applies. Therefore, I recommend that you check the current call calendar before applying.
Ufuk Europe Travel Support: Gateway to Europe
Horizon Europe stands out with its travel grants to increase scientific mobility from Turkey to Europe. Applications are open year-round without any periodic call for applications.
Who can apply, how to apply
Particularly graduate and doctoral students and young researchers are targeted. It is sufficient that the event takes place in European Union countries and the participation must be scientific. The application is made online through TUBITAK.
The application process is simple:
- Details of the event and invitation letter
- Application form (filled in online)
- Sending the documents with wet signature to TUBITAK by post
Check out Ufuk Europe official page for details.
Required documents and application process
The documents are standard, but there are some details that need to be considered. For example, the flights must be economy class and the original payment documents must be attached to the application.
For anyone who is preparing for a conference and says “this is too expensive”, travel grants really save lives.
At this point, our article Academic Conferences and Seminars in Turkey may also give you more ideas.
Application Process: Documents, Dates and Considerations
I remember how excited I was the first time I applied, but to be honest, I submitted some documents incomplete and my application was rejected. Therefore, the most important thing in applying for travel scholarships is to submit the documents in full and on time.
Are you ready to apply? Create your own application checklist
The table below provides a simple summary of the documents you may need to apply for a travel grant:
| Required Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Invitation letter | Must be obtained from the event organizer |
| Student certificate | Current dated and e-Can be government certified |
| Passport and visa photocopy | Mandatory for overseas activities |
| Flight tickets and accommodation offers | Supporting document for additional budget plan |
| Academic curriculum vitae (CV) | Applicant’s scientific background |
Most of these documents can be easily obtained from your university, but in order not to waste time, you should start preparations at least 1 month in advance.
Common mistakes and tips
The most common mistake: incomplete document submission.
The second mistake: the date of participation in the event is before the application deadline.
And the third: missing or unpaid transportation documents (such as plane tickets).
My advice: Check the official websites of TUBITAK and Horizon Europe for the forms with examples. Also, some universities have foreign affairs offices that help students. You can get support from them.
My First Conference: My Journey with Travel Scholarship
<In 2023, I applied for an international student conference for the first time. When I bought the tickets, it was like my wallet was empty, but then the travel grant was approved and all expenses were covered. It was really an incredible experience.
I thought my budget was not enough
Traveling abroad as a student sounds like a luxury, but it’s not. In Turkey, travel scholarships cover not only travel and accommodation, but also registration fees.
The scholarship I received support from was the TUBITAK 2224-A program. I gathered all my documents, received a letter of recommendation from my advisor and carried out the process with the research office of my university.
Air tickets, hotel, registration fee… all supported
The euro exchange rate was high at the time, but thanks to the scholarship I covered everything. At the end of the conference I was given a certificate of attendance and it was a great contribution to my CV. I also made new friends, new cities and even an Erasmus connection.
This experience showed me that travel scholarships are a great opportunity not only for academic but also for personal development.
Apply Now, Step into the Future: Attend the Conference with Scholarships!
Being a student in Turkey means not only spending time on campus, but also going out into the world. If you are reading this and thinking, “I wonder if I can apply?”, the answer is definitely yes.
Travel scholarships can give you the support you need to take this step. Moreover, these opportunities are waiting for you for both domestic and international events. All you have to do is dare and follow the application process carefully.
And remember, you are not alone on this journey. For more events, student experiences and up-to-date information, Road to Study is always with you.