FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

T3 Foundation was established on December 12, 2016, under the leadership of Selçuk Bayraktar by a group of engineers, entrepreneurs, and professionals who combined social responsibility awareness with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Its main purpose is to train human resources that will reduce Türkiye’s external dependency in critical technologies and to involve young people in production processes from an early age. Since its establishment, the foundation has grown into a large technology community with thousands of volunteers, hundreds of partner institutions, and millions of participants.

You can find detailed information about our Board of Trustees and Board of Directors members on the “Our Team” page.

Vision: To build strong human capital and a sustainable technology ecosystem that contributes to making Türkiye a country that develops, produces, and competes globally in high technology. The foundation positions science and technology not merely as a sector but as a strategic field of development.

Mission: To connect young people with technology development processes from an early age and provide a multi-layered development environment from idea to product through education programs, scholarships, technology competitions, entrepreneurship activities, and R&D-focused initiatives.

Turkish Technology Team Foundation’s approach is based on an understanding that not only transmits knowledge but also transforms it into practice, and that brings together individual competence with teamwork and social benefit. Through the projects it develops, the foundation aims to increase young people’s self-confidence, confidence in producing, and sense of responsibility. It continues its work as a lasting civil technology movement that strengthens Türkiye’s high-technology production capacity.

T3 Foundation runs a multi-layered technology ecosystem addressing all age groups, from early science awareness to advanced technology projects and global entrepreneurship networks.

Within this scope, TEKNOFEST brings together millions of visitors and competitors as the world’s largest aerospace and technology festival, providing a platform for youth to showcase their projects and compete internationally.

DENEYAP Makers Labs offer a widespread, project-based, free education model for middle and high school students across 81 provinces and abroad, providing long-term training in multiple technology fields. DENEYAP Kart serves as a national electronic development platform for programming, IoT, and AI projects.

Keşif Kampüsü programs provide a two-year, free “Children’s University” model for children aged 6–14. Science centers operating under the Bilim Türkiye model offer experience-based science and technology activities in multiple countries. T3 Academy is a digital platform that offers free online technology and entrepreneurship education for all age groups.

In the field of artificial intelligence, T3 AI initiative is carried out with the objective of developing a Turkish-focused, open-source large language model. KÜRE Digital Encyclopedia is positioned as a reliable digital knowledge platform that provides verifiable, academically reviewed, and multilingual content.

In the area of entrepreneurship,  T3 Startup Center coordinates training, mentorship, acceleration, and investment processes for technology startups, while Take Off Istanbul brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and the global technology ecosystem as the region’s most comprehensive startup summit. In addition, the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program contributes to the development of qualified human capital by providing scholarships and multidimensional development support across six categories, from middle school through graduate level.

Furthermore, within the scope of the National Teams of Technology Support Program, project, material, and mentorship support is provided to teams representing Türkiye in national and international technology competitions, thereby supporting the development of young people who collaboratively produce advanced technology in team-based settings.

Programs conducted by Turkish Technology Team Foundation are structured within a multi-layered framework designed according to age group, education level, and fields of interest. These programs address participants from primary school age through the graduate level and are developed with content and models aligned with participants’ developmental stages.

DENEYAP Makers Labs, Bilim Türkiye, Keşif Kampüsü, and T3 Academy are designed to introduce children and young people to science and technology at an early age, foster a culture of production, and develop technical competencies. At a more advanced level, T3 AI, T3 Startup Center, and National Teams of Technology Support Program are intended for participants who seek to specialize in project development, advanced technology production, and entrepreneurship. Take Off Istanbul serves as an international platform designed for technology entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals.

TEKNOFEST offers a broad participation framework extending from primary school students to graduates and professionals, providing an inclusive platform through which individuals of all ages can take part in technology competitions and the festival experience.

Applications are submitted online via the official websites of the respective programs. Each program maintains its own application calendar, eligibility criteria, and evaluation process. Current application announcements are published on the T3 Foundation’s official website and the respective project websites.

The foundation’s core principle is equal opportunity. It operates on a non-profit basis, and all of its programs are designed to support participant development and enhance Türkiye’s capacity for technology production.

In line with this principle, the T3 Foundation seeks to reduce financial barriers faced by talented individuals in the field of technology and strengthen the nation’s human capital.

The Turkish Technology Team Foundation maintains an inclusive and extensive volunteer network that enables individuals of all ages and diverse disciplines to contribute. Anyone from around the world who is interested in technology, wishes to support a culture of production, and is committed to the National Technology Initiative vision may take part in the process as a volunteer.

Volunteer applications are submitted through the foundation’s official website. Applications are evaluated based on applicants’ areas of interest, competencies, and organizational needs, and candidates are directed to suitable roles accordingly.

Yes. Within the scope of National Teams of Technology Support Program, a comprehensive support package is provided to teams participating in national and international technology competitions. This support includes the provision of materials, technical consultancy and mentorship, appropriate workspaces and testing facilities, as well as camp programs. The program aims to elevate team projects to a higher level and enable them to represent Türkiye strongly on international platforms.

In addition, through T3 Startup Center, technology startups are offered acceleration programs, opportunities to work with experienced mentors, investor meetings, and international networking opportunities. In this way, strategic support is provided to meet the needs of startups from the idea stage through the scaling phase.

Yes. Student support is primarily provided through Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program, which covers students from middle school to the graduate level. Multiple scholarship categories are available, and scholars receive not only financial support but also education, mentorship, and project development opportunities.

In addition, within the scope of TEKNOFEST Technology Competitions, financial support is provided to teams that successfully pass designated stages. These project development supports are intended to help young participants transform their ideas into prototypes, prepare effectively for competitions, and advance their projects to higher levels.

The T3 Foundation is the founder and executive organizer of TEKNOFEST.

TEKNOFEST Aerospace and Technology Festival is carried out under the leadership of the T3 Foundation and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, in partnership with numerous public institutions, private sector organizations, and universities.

The T3 Foundation is responsible for the design and organization of the technology competitions held within the scope of TEKNOFEST, as well as for the coordination of technical evaluation processes, jury structures, and educational content developed for young participants. The festival serves as the most extensive and visible implementation platform of the National Technology Initiative vision.

Through TEKNOFEST, millions of young people take part in project development processes, the culture of technology production is disseminated across society, and Türkiye’s human capital capacity in high-technology fields is further strengthened.

Current announcements and events are shared through the official website (t3vakfi.org), program websites, and social media accounts. Updates can also be followed through email newsletters.

The foundation was initially established through personal donations from its founders. Within the scope of its ongoing projects, the foundation receives sponsorships and engages in project-based partnerships with institutions and organizations that choose to support these initiatives. Such collaborations contribute directly to the effective implementation and long-term sustainability of specific programs.

The foundation maintains its operations through donations, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships. Its financing model is structured in accordance with the principles of transparency, sustainability, and public benefit. The T3 Foundation does not operate for commercial profit; all resources are allocated exclusively to education, project development, and the strengthening of the technology ecosystem.

No. The T3 Foundation is an independent, non-profit foundation and is not a public institution. It operates as a civil society organization. However, it may collaborate with public institutions, universities, and private sector organizations within the scope of specific projects. These collaborations do not change its independent civil status but help projects reach wider audiences and create a stronger impact.