Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program: A Future Vision for Young People

Türkiye has made significant advances in technology and defense industries in recent years. In this transformation, qualified human resources capable of producing domestic and national technologies are of great importance. It is at this very point that the vision of Özdemir Bayraktar, a figure who has dedicated his life to Türkiye’s technological independence, continues to inspire the youth.

As Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Baykar Board of Directors, frequently emphasizes:

“A Turkey that produces technology can only be possible with well-educated, idealistic, and determined young people.”

One of the most concrete manifestations of this vision is the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program.

A Gateway to the Future’s Technology Leaders

Launched by the T3 Foundation, this scholarship program targets a broad spectrum of students from middle school through doctoral level. It does not merely provide financial support; it also aims to foster holistic development through mentorship, research assistance, and professional growth opportunities.

The scholarship program is offered under five main categories:

Rising Star Scholarship Program

This program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in universities in Istanbul. Its goal is not only to provide financial aid but also to deepen students’ engagement in technology and cultivate their leadership qualities.

Details:

• Number of Participants: 100 students
• Duration: 10 months
• Opportunities Provided:
• • Monthly scholarship support
  • Training and development programs in nine different fields
  • One-on-one sessions with expert mentors
• Selection Process:
• • Preliminary application
  • Live video interview
  • Case study
  • Managerial interview

You Will Rise Scholarship Program

This program is open to students in preparatory, first, second, third, and fourth years at universities in Türkiye and Cyprus. It connects young people not only with financial aid but also with responsibility.

Details:

• Number of Participants: 300 students
• Duration: 10 months
• Opportunities Provided:
• • Monthly scholarship support
  • Opportunity to actively participate in foundation projects
• Selection Process:
• • Preliminary application
  • Video interview
  • In-person interview

Teacher Mentor Scholarship Program

This program aims to cultivate educators and guides who will shape the future of technology. It includes students from Türkiye, Cyprus, and Azerbaijan. Applicants also have the opportunity to serve as instructors at Deneyap Technology Workshops.

Details:

• Number of Participants: 720 students
• Duration: 12 months
• Eligible Applicants:
• • Engineering
  • Basic Sciences
  • Psychology, Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Sociology
  • Numerical departments of Faculty of Education (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
• Opportunities Provided:
• • Scholarship support
  • Teaching at Deneyap Workshops
  • Mentorship in technology competitions
• Selection Process:
• • Preliminary application
  • General aptitude test
  • Video interview
  • Panel interview

Educational Support Scholarship Program

This program targets a wide range of students from middle school through university and goes beyond mere financial assistance. With a performance-oriented approach, it encourages academic growth.

Details:

• Number of Participants: 3,880 students
• Duration: 10 months
• Opportunities Provided:
• • Monthly scholarship support
  • Academic progress monitoring and support
• Application Process:
• • Application via KYS (Career Management System)
  • Document declaration and evaluation

T3 AI Undergraduate Researcher Scholarship Program

This scholarship program is specifically designed for undergraduate students working on artificial intelligence and large language models, targeting young people with a strong interest in the most advanced fields of technology. Participants receive not only financial support but also access to research environments, technical resources, and opportunities for international engagement.

Details:

• Eligible Applicants:
• • Undergraduate students whose senior thesis focuses on artificial intelligence and large language models
• Opportunities Provided:
• • Financial scholarship
  • Software and hardware support
  • Expert mentorship
  • Opportunity to attend international conferences

More Than a Scholarship Program

The Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program is not merely a means of easing students’ financial burdens; it is a leadership and development ecosystem that contributes directly to Türkiye’s technological vision. Here, young people both learn and teach, striving to grow while simultaneously enabling growth in others.

This scholarship program plays a vital role in nurturing the qualified individuals who will drive Türkiye’s “national technology initiative” forward.

And we can state clearly: This program is investing in Türkiye’s tomorrow today.

More Than a Scholarship Program: What Does T3 Foundation Mean to Me?

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In 2023, when I first crossed paths with the T3 Foundation as a Rising Star Scholar, I was a university student who had just arrived in Istanbul for the first time. I carried big dreams but felt profoundly out of place in this vast city. Far from my family and hometown, I needed a community that would stand beside me and offer support in an unfamiliar environment. It was at this very moment that the T3 Foundation became my home.

The bonds I formed with friends within the foundation quickly grew beyond mere friendship. We shared common dreams, similar concerns, and ambitious goals. Together, fueled by this synergy, we embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. I knew that starting a venture while still a student required both courage and competence. It was precisely at this point that the social, academic, and technical development opportunities provided by the T3 Foundation gave me not only knowledge but also confidence.

The knowledge and experience I gained through the foundation enabled me to participate in the Spaceport America Cup rocket competition in the United States. Representing Türkiye on an international platform and achieving fourth place globally, followed by first place became one of the most proud moments of my life. This success was not solely due to my own efforts; the T3 Foundation family’s unwavering support played a decisive role.

The T3 Foundation did not simply provide me with a scholarship. It offered me an environment where my voice was heard, my ideas were valued, and my efforts were recognized. I joined this community voluntarily when I first started university and later became a scholar. As I continued to improve myself each day, I also seized the opportunity to pass on to others what the foundation had given me.

Through the Peer and Experience-Based Education program, I have had the chance to share the skills and knowledge I acquired with over 5,000 young people. This has become for me not just a duty but a responsibility and a heartfelt mission. I have once again come to believe that knowledge multiplies and gains strength when shared.

Following all these experiences, I experienced another meaningful development: I began working with the T3 Foundation, first as an intern and later as an active staff member within the scholarship unit. While continuing my academic studies, being part of this meaningful structure has provided me with immense professional and personal growth.

Looking back today, I do not see the T3 Foundation merely as an organization; I see it as a family, a friend, and a companion on the journey. I sincerely thank this great structure for believing in me, trusting me, and always supporting me. If I can today define myself as strong, productive, and visionary, the contribution of the T3 Foundation is undeniable.

I wish every young person could encounter such support and discover themselves within such an environment. Because sometimes, a scholarship program can be the catalyst for the most beautiful transformation in life. In short;

Thank you, T3, for being here...