Türkiye Scholarships 2026: Full Guide to Studying in Turkey
Türkiye Scholarships 2026: Complete Guide to Turkey’s Premier Scholarship Program
Turkey has officially launched the Türkiye Scholarships 2026 program, marking a significant step in its ongoing strategy of educational diplomacy and international academic cooperation. The opening ceremony was held in Ankara at the headquarters of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), setting the stage for another competitive application cycle.
“You are not just students. You are our most valuable representatives and a bridge between Turkey and the world. The main goal of the program is not numerical growth, but building a global, civically conscious community through education.”
— Abdulhadi Turus, President of YTB
Program Scale and Global Reach
The Türkiye Scholarships program has established Turkey as a major global hub for international education. Recent statistics underscore its impressive growth and impact:
- Over 125,000 applications were submitted for the 2025 program cycle.
- Currently, more than 340,000 international students are pursuing their studies in Turkey.
- Turkey ranks 7th globally in hosting international students.
- The scholarship supports 15,000+ students from 145 countries at Turkish universities.
- It boasts a powerful global alumni network of 150,000+ graduates spread across 184 countries.
Educational Diplomacy: A Strategic Pillar
YTB positions the scholarship program as a key soft-power tool. The numbers reveal a dramatic transformation: from around 30,000 international students in 2012 to nearly 370,000 today. This investment is paying long-term dividends, with alumni now holding influential leadership positions in politics, business, and science worldwide.
What Scholarship Holders Say
Feedback from current beneficiaries highlights the program's strengths:
- High academic standards and robust university infrastructure.
- A fully free and transparent online application process.
- Unique opportunities for personal and professional development.
- An active international student community conducive to global networking.
- Comprehensive cultural integration and Turkish language programs.
Important Many graduates maintain strong professional and cultural ties with Turkey long after completing their studies, embodying the program's "bridge-building" mission.
Application Details for the 2026 Cycle
Prospective applicants must pay close attention to the following critical deadlines and conditions:
- Application Period: January 10 – February 20, 2026.
- Eligibility: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide.
- Process: Entirely online via the official portal.
- Cost: The application is completely free of charge.
Official Warning The program does not work through intermediaries or agents. All applications are accepted exclusively via the official Türkiye Scholarships website. Any service claiming to guarantee placement or requiring payment for the application is fraudulent.
Comprehensive Scholarship Benefits
The Türkiye Scholarships program provides one of the most comprehensive support packages available internationally, covering all major expenses:
- Full tuition fees at the selected university.
- Monthly stipend:
- 1,000–1,600 TL for undergraduate students.
- 1,400–1,800 TL for master’s students.
- Accommodation in student dormitories.
- Health insurance for the entire study period.
- A 1-year Turkish language course (mandatory for most programs).
- Round-trip airfare (provided at the start and end of the program).
Available Academic Levels
The program supports studies across the full spectrum of higher education:
- Bachelor’s Degree: 4–6 years (duration depends on the field of study).
- Master’s Degree: 2 years.
- PhD: 4 years.
- Research Scholarships: Up to 1 year for academic research.
Essential Resources for Applicants
To ensure a successful and legitimate application, use only these official resources:
- Official Website: www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
- Partner Institutions: Over 200 universities across Turkey.
- Online Application Simulator: Available on the portal from January 10, 2026.
- Support: Consultation services are offered in 15 languages.
Final Recommendation Türkiye Scholarships 2026 represents a unique opportunity to receive a high-quality education in a country at the crossroads of civilizations. Due to the high competition for popular fields of study, the admissions committee strongly advises applicants to begin preparing their documents well in advance of the February deadline.
