TEKNOFEST Competition on Technological Applications in Psychology

TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition is a thematic contest designed to encourage technological innovations in psychology and spirit health, with the goal of digitizing protective and promotive mental health services. First held within the framework of TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival, this competition aims to generate innovative solutions that enhance psychological resilience, enable early detection of psychological risks, and facilitate access to psychological support services.

TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition (Photo: T3 Foundation)

Competition Objective

In line with the growing global importance of technology use in psychology and psychiatry fields, the competition seeks to develop technological applications that improve the accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness of mental health services. Within this scope, the core objectives of the competition are as follows:

• Development of digital solutions to enhance psychological resilience and adaptability,
• Supporting the identification and assessment of psychological risks through artificial intelligence and digital tools,
• Facilitating access to psychological interventions in digital environments,
• Creation of digital content that contributes to the acquisition and development of psychological skills,
• Integration of new measurement and evaluation methods into technology-based systems.

Scope and Application Areas

The competition encompasses applications targeting both intervention and preventive or protective mental health initiatives. Supported application areas include:

• Psychological skill development applications (mobile apps, web-based platforms, digital games),
• Smartphone-supported psychotherapy intervention programs,
• Internet-based psychotherapy services,
• Artificial intelligence-assisted psychological assessment and intervention systems,
• Virtual reality (VR)-supported therapy and assessment applications,
• Digital solutions supporting cognitive abilities,
• Technology-based psychological measurement and evaluation tools,
• Psychophysiological measurement systems using wearable devices.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals who are citizens of the Republic of Türkiye or foreign nationals residing in Türkiye or abroad, including undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, as well as graduates of these levels, may apply. Teams are limited to a maximum of 12 members, and advisors are not included in this count. Participants must apply as teams, not individually.

TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition (Photo: T3 Foundation)

Competition Process and Evaluation Stages

The competition features a comprehensive evaluation process consisting of three stages:

1. Project Preliminary Evaluation Report (PER): The overall framework, purpose, target audience and feasibility of the project are assessed.
2. Semi-Final Presentation: Projects that pass the preliminary evaluation present their ideas in detail to the jury.
3. Prototype and Final Presentation: Teams advancing to the final develop functional prototypes and are evaluated based on both technical performance and social impact.

Relationship with the National Technology Initiative

The TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition aligns with Türkiye’s National National Technology Initiative vision by integrating domestic and national technologies into the field of mental health. In this context, the competition assumes a pioneering role not only in technological innovation but also in social innovation.

Significance of the Competition

The TEKNOFEST Technology Applications in Psychology Competition is an innovative and visionary initiative that brings together the disciplines of psychology and technology to support mental health at both individual and societal levels. It provides a unique opportunity for young people to transform their creative ideas into concrete projects, while contributing to making mental health services more accessible, effective and sustainable.