TÜBİTAK Launches CoCirculation 3 to Reverse Brain Drain with €3,980 Salary Packages
Brain Drain in Turkey
In a strategic effort to reverse brain drain and reinforce Türkiye’s scientific infrastructure, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) has unveiled the CoCirculation 3 program. This initiative will support 100 high-caliber researchers over three years, offering €3,980 monthly salaries and a comprehensive financial support package.
Türkiye Targets Global Talent with CoCirculation 3 Program
The CoCirculation 3 program—backed by the EU’s prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND—invites both Turkish researchers abroad and international scientists to conduct research in Türkiye. Designed to boost academic collaboration, it aims to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem and increase global scientific visibility.
Program Timeline and Researcher Intake
The initiative is structured around three annual calls:
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Call 1: Sept 1 – Dec 1, 2025 → 33 researchers
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Call 2: Aug 3 – Nov 3, 2026 → 33 researchers
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Call 3: Jul 1 – Oct 1, 2027 → 34 researchers
A total of 100 researchers will receive funding over the project’s lifetime.
Competitive Funding & Research Incentives
Beyond the €3,980 monthly base salary, the program offers a suite of additional benefits to create an attractive and stable research environment:
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€600/month in family support
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€1,000/month for research, training, and networking
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€250/month for educational development
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€130/month to host institutions
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€50/month for travel expenses
These incentives are designed to remove financial barriers and make Türkiye a preferred destination for scientific talent.
TÜBİTAK’s Vision: Scientific Excellence Through Global Collaboration
TÜBİTAK officials highlight the program as a unique opportunity for top-tier researchers considering returning to Türkiye. CoCirculation 3 is not just about repatriating scholars, but also about building international networks, increasing academic output, and securing long-term competitiveness in global science.
The announcement has already garnered attention from diaspora scientists and international institutions, signaling a positive shift toward brain gain and cross-border academic integration.
TÜBİTAK plans to expand and sustain such initiatives, ensuring that Türkiye remains a center of scientific excellence in the years ahead.
