As one of the leading institutions in the STI policy system, TUBITAK is an autonomous and independent institution that is governed by the Science Board. In addition to the President of TUBITAK, the Science Board is composed of a dozen members who are selected among prominent individuals in universities, the industry, and research institutions by the Science Board, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), and the Higher Education Council (YÖK), and appointed by the Prime Minister. Hence, the members of the Science Board provide a permanent feedback mechanism representing all of the above-mentioned sectors during the policy-making processes of TUBITAK as a whole.
Established as a landmark institution in 1963, TUBITAK contributes to the advancement of S&T and innovation in Turkey via its research, development and innovation (RDI) funding and performing functions. TUBITAK also has an advisory role to the Turkish government on STI policy. TUBITAK reports to the government on developments in STI policy, acting as the secretariat of “The Supreme Council for Science and Technology” (BTYK / SCST) which is the highest ranking STI policy-making body in Turkey with the decision-making power and has the role of identifying, monitoring and coordinating policies in S&T areas in accordance with national goals for economic and social development and national security. Accountable directly to the Prime Minister, SCST upholds important functions, such as to assist the government in determining long-term S&T policies in the preparation of the agenda of SCST and collection of draft decrees, and facilitates the relevant actors to report back to SCST. According to the roles assigned in the decrees, TUBITAK also provides a central role as a bridging institution between the government, higher education, and the industry in the Turkish Research Area (TARAL), as the coordinator for the preparation and realization of the National Science and Technology Policies Implementation Plan 2005-2010, the Innovation Strategy 2008-2010, the ongoing National S&T Human Resources Strategy, and the International STI strategy.
