TÜBA International Academy Awards

TÜBA International Academy Awards are an international award program established by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) to encourage scientists, recognize scientific achievements, and strengthen the international representation of the Turkish scientific community. The TÜBA International Academy Awards are open to all scientists worldwide and are based on original, pioneering, and groundbreaking contributions to science.

TÜBA Awards (TÜBA)

Historical Background

The TÜBA International Academy Awards were launched in 2015. The primary objective in establishing the program was to emphasize the universal nature of scientific production, highlight the research of scholars who have scientific ties with Türkiye or collaborate with Turkish scientists, and enhance international academic engagement. Since its inception, the awards have become one of the central elements of TÜBA’s mission to encourage and recognize scientists.

Objective and Scope

The International Academy Awards aim to honor scientists who have made long-term and enduring contributions to science. The program seeks to:

• Promote scientific excellence,
• Contribute to the international representation of the Turkish scientific community,
• Support scientific collaborations linked to Türkiye,
• Enhance the visibility of original and pioneering research.

The awards are based not only on individual academic achievement but also on scientific impact, interdisciplinary contribution, and the production of long-term scientific value.

Award Categories

The TÜBA International Academy Awards are presented annually in three main scientific fields:

Science and Engineering

This category encompasses original, innovative, and internationally impactful research in the basic sciences and engineering disciplines.

Health and Life Sciences

Scientific contributions in medicine, biology, and health sciences that advance human health, life sciences, and clinical applications are evaluated under this category.

Social and Human Sciences

Works that make original contributions to scientific knowledge in fields such as history, archaeology, sociology, philosophy, economics, and similar disciplines are considered under this category.

One award is granted in each category annually.

Nomination and Application Process

Candidates for the International Academy Awards may be nominated by:

• Members of TÜBA,
• National and international scientific academies affiliated with TÜBA,
• International inter-academy organizations,
• University rectories,
• Scientific institutions invited by the TÜBA Presidency.

Current TÜBA members, academy staff, and scientists involved in the evaluation process are ineligible for nomination. Nominees must not have received any other national or international science award from public institutions in Türkiye within the last three years.

International nominees must have conducted scientific work linked to Türkiye, collaborated with Turkish scientists or scientific institutions, or contributed to joint research projects involving Türkiye.

Evaluation Process

The research of nominated scientists is evaluated by:

• Obtaining reviews from domestic and international referees,
• Assessing the work according to scientific criteria by relevant field committees.

The evaluation process considers originality, scientific impact, continuity, and international visibility as key criteria. The final decision is made by the TÜBA Academy Council.

Nature and Presentation of the Award

The International Academy Awards consist of:

• The Academy Medal,
• The Certificate,
• A monetary award determined by the Academy Council.

The awards are presented to recipients in an official ceremony held at the Presidency Complex under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Türkiye. These ceremonies are among the key events that enhance the public visibility and institutional stature of TÜBA’s award programs.

Place within the TÜBA Award System

The International Academy Awards hold a central position within TÜBA’s award ecosystem. Together with:

• TÜBA Outstanding Young Scientist Awards (GEBİP),
• TÜBA Scientific Authorship Awards (TESEP),

they form the foundational elements of the academy’s comprehensive structure for supporting scientific production. Within this framework, the International Academy Awards specifically emphasize global scientific impact and international representation.