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Executive Summary: Top 3 Funding Programs for Gurma Turkey
Date: 2026-02-18 Source: tr-fonlar-data-2026-02-18.json (FonArastirmaAgent synthesis) Context: Gurma AI AG establishing Turkish R&D subsidiary. Focus: AI-powered rehabilitation robotics, 15 years of outcome data, BAMA Teknoloji partnership.
Funding Program Prioritization Matrix
| Criteria | TÜBİTAK 1507 (KOBİ Ar-Ge) | EUREKA/Eurostars (1709) | TÜBİTAK 1711 (AI Ecosystem) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit for AI + Medical | ★★★☆ (sector-agnostic) | ★★★★ (market-oriented innovation) | ★★★★★ (built for AI) |
| Grant Amount | Up to 2.25M TL (~€63K) | Varies by national funding | Up to 7.5M TL (~€210K) |
| Grant Ratio | 75% hibe | ~50-75% (varies) | 60-70% hibe |
| Swiss-Turkish Advantage | — | ★★★★★ (core feature) | — |
| Barrier to Entry | ★★★★★ (lowest) | ★★★☆ (need Swiss partner) | ★★☆ (consortium required) |
| Next Deadline | March 2026 | March 2026 | ~May 2026 (estimated) |
| Project Duration | 18 months | 36 months | 24 months |
| BAMA Leverage | ★★★★ (can be subcontractor) | ★★★☆ (Turkish partner) | ★★★★★ (müşteri kuruluş role) |
Priority Ranking: 1507 → Eurostars → 1711
#1 — TÜBİTAK 1507: KOBİ Ar-Ge Başlangıç Destek Programı
Why first: Lowest barrier, fastest path to first funded project. Establishes Gurma Turkey's track record with TÜBİTAK.
Key Facts
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Grant ratio | 75% hibe (non-refundable) | TÜBİTAK |
| Budget cap | 3,000,000 TL (max grant: 2,250,000 TL) | TÜBİTAK |
| Duration | Max 18 months | TÜBİTAK |
| 2026 Call 1 deadline | Ön kayıt: 12 March 2026 / Kapanış: 16 March 2026 | TÜBİTAK |
| 2026 Call 2 (estimated) | July 2026 | ⚠️ historical pattern |
| Eligibility | KOBİ (SME) registered in Turkey, KOSGEB database | TÜBİTAK |
Strategic Fit for Gurma
- Perfect for new companies — explicitly designed as a "başlangıç" (entry-level) R&D program
- No consortium required — Gurma Turkey can apply solo
- BAMA can participate as subcontractor or provide test facilities
- Project scope: "AI-powered personalized rehabilitation therapy engine — Phase 1: data pipeline and model architecture"
- Establishes TÜBİTAK track record — essential for future 1501/1711 applications
Immediate Action Items
- Company must be registered before ön kayıt deadline (March 12, 2026)
- Register in KOSGEB database (KOBİ Bilgi Beyannamesi)
- Register in PRODİS system (TÜBİTAK project portal)
- Prepare 1507 project proposal (Turkish, ~30 pages) — cover: innovation aspect, market potential, R&D methodology, budget
- If March deadline is too tight → target July 2026 (2nd call)
Risk
- Budget is modest (3M TL ≈ €63K) — sufficient for initial R&D phase but not for full product development
- March 2026 deadline requires company to be operational within ~3 weeks — likely need to target Call 2 in July
#2 — EUREKA/Eurostars (TÜBİTAK 1709)
Why second: Uniquely leverages Gurma's Swiss-Turkish dual structure. Both Switzerland and Turkey are Eurostars-3 members with allocated national funding.
Key Facts
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Grant ratio | Determined by national agencies (~50-75%) | eurekanetwork.org |
| Budget | No fixed cap; national funding limits apply | eurekanetwork.org |
| Duration | Max 36 months | eurekanetwork.org |
| 2026 Call 1 deadline | 19 March 2026 | TÜBİTAK 1709 |
| 2026 Call 2 deadline | 10 September 2026 | eurekanetwork.org |
| Key requirement | Innovative SME as coordinator + at least 2 entities from 2 Eurostars countries | TÜBİTAK 1709 |
Strategic Fit for Gurma
- Only program that directly funds Swiss-Turkish collaboration — this is Gurma's unique advantage over any Turkish competitor
- Gurma AG (Switzerland) + Gurma Turkey as co-applicants; each funded by their national agency (SNSF/Innosuisse for Swiss side, TÜBİTAK for Turkish side)
- Project scope: "Cross-border AI rehabilitation platform: Swiss data science + Turkish clinical validation with BAMA's patient population"
- Market-oriented: must demonstrate path to commercialization within 2 years of project end
- Strengthens the Gurma narrative: international credibility, bilateral R&D
Immediate Action Items
- Contact Innosuisse (Swiss Innovation Agency) to confirm Swiss-side funding mechanism for Eurostars-3
- Contact TÜBİTAK UIDB (uidb@tubitak.gov.tr) for Turkish-side application requirements
- Prepare a joint proposal with Gurma AG as coordinator (innovative SME) and Gurma Turkey + BAMA as Turkish partners
- Target September 2026 call (March 2026 is too tight for first application)
Risk
- Requires both national agencies to approve independently — dual bureaucracy
- Swiss side (Innosuisse) has strict commercialization requirements
- Longer preparation time; first realistic application: September 2026
#3 — TÜBİTAK 1711: Yapay Zekâ Ekosistem Çağrısı
Why third: Largest budget and directly targets AI, but requires a complex consortium and is more competitive.
Key Facts
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Grant ratio | 70% hibe (KOBİ), 60% (büyük ölçekli) | TÜBİTAK 1711 |
| Budget cap | 7,500,000 TL per project (~€210K) | TÜBİTAK 1711 |
| Duration | Max 24 months | TÜBİTAK 1711 |
| 2025 call period | May 15 – Aug 31, 2025 (closed) | TÜBİTAK 1711 |
| 2026 call (estimated) | ~May 2026 (annual pattern since 2022) | ⚠️ historical pattern |
| Track record | 41 projects funded, 215M TL total (over 3 years) | TÜBİTAK 1711 |
Consortium Requirement
A 1711 project must include all of the following:
- Müşteri Kuruluş (Customer Organization) — the entity with the AI need → BAMA Teknoloji is ideal here
- Teknoloji Sağlayıcı (Technology Provider) — at least one SME providing AI solution → Gurma Turkey
- Üniversite/Araştırma Merkezi — at least one academic partner → target a university with rehabilitation or AI research (e.g., ODTÜ, Hacettepe, Boğaziçi)
- TÜBİTAK BİLGEM Yapay Zeka Enstitüsü — mandatory consortium member (they provide oversight and ecosystem integration)
Strategic Fit for Gurma
- BAMA as müşteri kuruluş is the key enabler — they have the clinical need, patient access, and rehabilitation hardware
- Largest single-program budget available for AI-specific R&D in Turkey
- Directly aligned with Gurma's mission: "AI-driven personalized rehabilitation using outcome data"
- High prestige: supported projects get visibility from Ministry of Industry and TÜBİTAK AI Institute
- Health/rehabilitation is not explicitly in 2025 priority areas, but could fit under a custom framing or a future expanded call
Immediate Action Items
- Begin academic partnership discussions — identify a professor/lab working on rehabilitation technology or medical AI
- Establish formal relationship with TÜBİTAK AI Institute (BİLGEM Yapay Zeka Enstitüsü)
- Work with BAMA to define the müşteri kuruluş need statement — what specific AI capability would transform their rehabilitation products?
- Monitor tubitak.gov.tr for 2026 call announcement (expected ~April-May 2026)
Risk
- Most complex application — 4-party consortium coordination
- 2025 priority areas didn't explicitly list healthcare — need to frame rehabilitation robotics under a relevant category or wait for a healthcare-specific call
- Competitive: only ~12-14 projects funded per year
- Requires Gurma Turkey to be established and have some operational history
Sequencing Strategy: The 18-Month Roadmap
Q1 2026 (NOW)
├── Establish A.Ş. in Turkey
├── Register in KOSGEB + PRODİS
├── Begin Teknopark application (ODTÜ Teknokent)
└── Prepare 1507 project proposal
Q2 2026
├── Submit TÜBİTAK 1507 (Call 2, July 2026) ← FIRST FUNDED PROJECT
├── Contact Innosuisse + TÜBİTAK UIDB for Eurostars
└── Monitor 1711 AI Ecosystem call announcement
Q3 2026
├── Submit Eurostars (September 2026 call) ← SWISS-TURKISH BRIDGE
├── Begin 1711 consortium formation (BAMA + university + TÜBİTAK AI)
└── 1507 project kicks off (if approved from July call)
Q4 2026
├── 1507 project in progress → early results
├── Eurostars evaluation period
└── Prepare 1711 application for 2027 call
Q1-Q2 2027
├── Submit TÜBİTAK 1711 (AI Ecosystem) ← FLAGSHIP PROJECT
├── Eurostars project kicks off (if approved)
└── 1507 results → feeds into 1711 proposal credibility
Operational Cost Optimization (Verified Feb 2026)
Beyond direct R&D grants, the Turkish branch can reduce operating costs through several mechanisms. Important: these are not standalone rental subsidies — the user should not conflate them with direct office cost programs.
What DOES Cover Operational Costs
| Mechanism | Coverage | How It Works | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teknopark subsidized rent | Office rent | Incubation centers offer below-market rates. Varies by location (OSTIM, ODTÜ, İstanbul). No foreign ownership restrictions. | ITO TGB teşvikleri |
| SGK employer premium (50%) | Personnel costs | State covers 50% of employer's social security contribution for R&D personnel in Teknoparks. Often mistaken for "50% rental support." | Teknopark kanunu |
| Gelir vergisi stopajı (80-90%) | Personnel costs | R&D personnel income tax exemption: 90% for PhDs, 80% for others. Massive salary cost reduction. | 5746 sayılı kanun |
| TÜBİTAK TEYDEB overhead | Rent (partial) | "Genel gider" line in project budgets covers rent, electricity, heating — calculated as % of personnel costs. Only applies within funded projects. | TÜBİTAK Mali Kılavuz |
| Corporate/income tax exemption | Tax savings | R&D revenue in Teknoparks exempt from income/corporate tax until 31.12.2028. KDV exemption on software. | Teknopark kanunu |
What Does NOT Cover Rent/Office Costs
| Program | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| KOSGEB İşletme Geliştirme | No rent support | Covers fairs, IP, certification, testing, personnel |
| KOSGEB Girişimci İş Geliştirme | No rent support | Covers personnel, machinery, software, services |
| KOSGEB Kapasite Geliştirme | No rent support | Covers machinery, software, working capital |
| KOSGEB İşbirliği | No explicit rent | Focuses on joint manufacturing/design/marketing |
| KOSGEB old "Genel Destek" | Discontinued (2022) | Used to have "İşyeri Kirası Desteği" — no longer active |
| Yatırım Teşvik Belgesi | No ongoing rent | Covers fixed investment (land, building, machinery), not operational rent |
| 5746 Kanunu (R&D Center) | No direct rent | Tax deduction for R&D expenses. Requires 15+ FTE — not for startups |
Recommendation for Gurma Turkey
Locate in a Teknopark (OSTIM Teknopark near BAMA is ideal) to access subsidized rent + all tax exemptions + SGK support. Then run TÜBİTAK projects to cover overhead within project budgets. Use KOSGEB strictly for equipment, personnel, and IP costs.
Honorable Mentions (Not in Top 3, but Monitor)
| Program | Why Not Top 3 | When to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| TÜBİTAK 1501 (Sanayi Ar-Ge) | 75% grant, no budget cap, 36 months — excellent but better suited after first 1507 track record | After completing 1507 successfully |
| KOSGEB Ar-Ge, Ür-Ge | Smaller grants (~TRY 1-2M), more bureaucratic | If other programs are rejected; good for supplementary equipment/hiring support |
| KOSGEB Stratejik Ürün | Tied to Teknoloji Odaklı Sanayi Hamlesi priority product list | Only if rehabilitation robotics appears on priority list |
| Kalkınma Ajansı (Regional Dev. Agency) | Small grants (TRY 500K-1.5M), varies by region | Worth checking İstanbul or Ankara agency calls |
| TÜBİTAK-SNSF Bilateral | No active bilateral program found between TÜBİTAK and SNSF specifically. TÜBİTAK bilaterals exist with NSF (US), DFG (Germany), NSFC (China) — but NOT SNSF. | ⚠️ Verify directly with TÜBİTAK UIDB. Eurostars is the practical Swiss-Turkish channel. |
Critical Gap Identified
TÜBİTAK-SNSF bilateral program does NOT appear to exist as a standing program. The raw data and web search found bilateral programs with NSF (US), DFG (Germany), NSFC (China), SRNSFG (Georgia), and others — but no dedicated Switzerland channel. This means:
- Eurostars/EUREKA is the primary mechanism for Swiss-Turkish R&D co-funding
- A direct TÜBİTAK-SNSF call could potentially be initiated at government level, but this is not actionable in the near term
- Action: Confirm with TÜBİTAK UIDB (uidb@tubitak.gov.tr) whether any Swiss-specific call is planned for 2026-2027
References
| Source | URL |
|---|---|
| TÜBİTAK — Industrial Support Programs | tubitak.gov.tr |
| TÜBİTAK 1711 — AI Ecosystem Call | tubitak.gov.tr |
| TÜBİTAK 1709 — EUREKA/Eurostars | tubitak.gov.tr |
| TÜBİTAK UIDB — International Cooperation (PDF) | tubitak.gov.tr |
| PRODİS — TÜBİTAK Project Portal | prodis.tubitak.gov.tr |
| KOSGEB — Main Portal | kosgeb.gov.tr |
| KOSGEB Ar-Ge, Ür-Ge | kosgeb.gov.tr |
| KOSGEB Stratejik Ürün | kosgeb.gov.tr |
| EUREKA Network | eurekanetwork.org |
| Innosuisse — Swiss Innovation Agency | innosuisse.ch |
| Teknopark Portal | teknopark.sanayi.gov.tr |