Research Ecosystem

Institutional Research Support and Ecosystem at AGU

To transform research outputs into economic value and societal benefit, Abdullah Gül University (AGU) has cultivated an institutional culture that enables researchers from different disciplines to collaborate on joint projects. Institutional structures and operational mechanisms have been established to support this approach and are managed through various units and commissions such as ADEK, AGU TTO, graduate schools, research centers, the Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Office, and the Library and Documentation Department.

To enhance research infrastructure, AGU Central Research Facility / Central Research Laboratory (AGU-MAA / AGU-MERLAB) offers 1,224 m² of enclosed space, including 788 m² allocated to ten thematic laboratories. The facility aims to become a national hub attracting outstanding researchers from academia and industry. AGU laboratories also boast an impressive inventory of state-of-the-art equipment.

AGU encourages its faculty members to engage in collaborative, multi-partner research projects with peers from other universities. These externally funded collaborative projects are categorized as "multi-partner project supports" and are tracked under a dedicated heading by the BAP Office.

The university actively promotes partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders and encourages the acquisition of external research funding. The AGU Revolving Fund Office coordinates various projects to increase externally funded research and diversify service-based revenue streams. In 2021, AGU researchers engaged in industry-university collaborations via the Revolving Fund and AGU TTO with prominent institutions such as Kayseri Ulaşım A.Ş., HAVELSAN, TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, FNSS, YATAŞ, and UNDP.

In line with AGU’s Strategic Plan, meetings were held with major industrial organizations in Kayseri and Turkey to better understand and respond to the needs of industry and facilitate researcher-industry collaborations. Through a protocol signed with KOSGEB, the Evaluation Committee for R&D and Innovation Support Program proposals convenes at AGU, making the university an active player in supporting regional firm projects. Additionally, AGU TTO has provided training and consultancy services for industrial stakeholders on project writing and implementation for TÜBİTAK, KOSGEB, and Development Agencies, and organized international sectoral business trips featuring one-on-one meetings.

AGU collaborates with public and private sector organizations to provide training for their employees. In 2021, AGU TTO delivered training sessions to SME managers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and academics in Kayseri on various topics, including:

• Funding Models

• Government Incentives for Industry

• Call Analysis and Project Development Processes for National and International Funding Programs

• Creativity and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

• Angel Investment and Mentorship

Approximately 300 participants attended these trainings in 2021.

Through a protocol with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, AGU TTO also operates as an official Information and Documentation Unit of the Turkish Patent Institute. It provides services in patent and trademark searches, application processes, and registration for AGU researchers. Furthermore, in 2021, AGU TTO acted as an implementing agency for the TÜBİTAK BİGG program, supporting entrepreneurs in their application processes.

To support the financial needs of scientific research activities at AGU, a Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Commission is in place. This commission oversees the definition of procedures, assignment of internal and external reviewers, evaluation of interim and final reports, approval of projects, and development of strategies to align BAP project types and support limits with AGU’s research vision.

Transparent procedures for the allocation of internal resources for research are defined in the BAP guidelines. The following BAP project types are supported:

• Multidisciplinary Research Projects and Priority Area Projects to promote interdisciplinary work

• National and International Collaborative Research Projects to encourage external partnerships

• Early Career Researcher Projects to help newly joined faculty establish their research infrastructure

• Graduate Thesis Projects to support postgraduate students

Administrative and financial processes related to BAP projects are managed electronically via the BAPSIS (Scientific Research Project Management System).

In addition to the BAP Office, AGU TTO provides support for faculty members in project development and industrial collaborations. Both units work in coordination to complement one another’s efforts in strengthening research capacity.

Aligned with AGU’s strategic goals, faculty members are encouraged and supported in submitting project proposals to external funding bodies, including TÜBİTAK, KOSGEB, Development Agencies, relevant Ministries, EU funds, and other international sources.

With its qualified human resources, AGU TTO aims to:

• Attract greater international funding

• Establish advanced research centers

• Provide modern research infrastructure to new faculty members

• Involve AGU staff in scientific projects

• Help researchers access R&D, innovation, and entrepreneurship support programs

To raise awareness and inform researchers, AGU TTO organizes training sessions and information days on funding sources, support programs, intellectual property rights, and entrepreneurship. As a result, recent years have seen a significant increase in project applications to TÜBİTAK, KOSGEB, Development Agencies, and EU programs, as well as in university-industry collaboration activities.

By focusing on global responsibility areas, AGU has directed its attention toward research that will shape the future of technology. Notable researchers at AGU have formed research clusters actively supporting technology development, patent production, company formation, industrial projects, and public engagement with science.

In 2021, AGU supported:

• 25 TÜBİTAK projects with a total budget of 17.7 million TL

• 4 AGU-BAP projects with a combined budget of approximately 80,000 TL

• University-industry collaboration projects totaling 1.5 million TL

With the addition of 9 newly awarded TÜBİTAK projects in 2021, the total number of active TÜBİTAK projects at AGU reached 25, amounting to a combined project budget of 17.7 million TL.