Applications for SAYZEK-ATP2026-2027 Period Started

Applications for the 2026–2027 term of the SAYZEK - Academic Thesis Program (SAYZEK-ATP)—which aims to enhance artificial intelligence capabilities within the defense industry and align student work with industry needs—have opened.
Implemented through the collaboration of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), the Academic Thesis Program (ATP) enables students to prepare their projects and theses in line with the requirements of the defense industry. The program aims to establish a strong bridge between academia and the industry. Under SAYZEK-ATP, conducted as part of the Defense Industry Artificial Intelligence Talent Cluster (SAYZEK) activities, students carry out their work under the guidance of industry mentors assigned by defense industry companies.

In previous terms, the program was open to final-year undergraduate students and master's students (with thesis). For the 2026–2027 term, the program structure has been updated to include third-year undergraduate students. Consequently, the program is now open to third- and fourth-year undergraduate students as well as master's students (with thesis). This initiative aims to introduce students to the defense industry and the field of artificial intelligence at an earlier stage.

Application Requirements
The following criteria apply to applications for the program:

•         Being a citizen of the Republic of Türkiye,

•         Being a third- or fourth-year undergraduate student or a master's student (with thesis),

•         Having a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.00 / 4.00 (53 out of 100). Eligible Departments
Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Informatics Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Communication Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Management Information Systems, Information Systems and Technologies (CTIS), Physics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Control and Automation Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Mathematical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Space and Satellite Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Space Sciences and Technologies, Aircraft Airframe-Engine Maintenance, Aviation Electrical and Electronics, Geomatics Engineering; as well as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Statistics departments within Faculties of Science or Faculties of Science and Letters are included in the program.

Opportunities Provided by Year of Study
3rd-Year Undergraduate Students
•         Summer internship quotas at defense industry companies may be allocated.

•         Opportunities to participate in a winter camp are offered.

•         Technical training sessions are provided by industry experts.

•         Technical visits to leading defense industry companies are organized.

Internship quotas are obtained from companies. Quotas are... ...is allocated to students based on their academic ranking within the program, provided they have a mandatory internship requirement and their insurance is covered by their university.

4th-Year Undergraduate and Master’s (with Thesis) Students
•         Poster presentations are delivered to defense industry representatives at the Final Meeting.

•         Support for academic publications is provided.

•         Technical training is provided by industry experts.

•         Opportunities to participate in a summer camp are offered.

Internship opportunities may be offered—subject to quota availability—to students with ongoing mandatory internship requirements. Defense industry companies prioritize candidates who have come through the candidate engineering and internship processes when making hiring decisions.

Program Schedule
•         Applications: September 18 – October 8, 2026

•         Announcement of results: November 2026

•         1st report submission: December 18, 2026

•         2nd report submission: February 26, 2027

•         Winter camp: March 2027

•         3rd report submission: May 7, 2027

•         Final submission and thesis sharing: June 11, 2027

•         Final Meeting and Poster Day: July 2027

•         Summer camp: August – September 2027

Application Method
Applications may be submitted individually or in teams of up to three people. Providing information about an academic advisor is mandatory during the application process. The advisor must have a profile in the SAYZEK system and be matched with the student through that profile. To achieve this, the advisor must create an "Academician" profile at sayzek.org.tr. Applications and all processes related to the program are conducted online via atp.sayzek.org.tr. Information regarding the application steps can be found in the "How Do I Submit an Individual Application?" and "How Do I Submit a Team Application?" guides available on the system.

Inquiries regarding the program may be sent to iletisim@sayzek.org.tr.