Newton-Katip Çelebi Fund
Background
The Newton Fund is a £735 million fund which, through science and innovation partnerships, promotes the economic development and social welfare of partnering countries. It aims to strengthen science and innovation capacity and unlock further funding through which the UK and partner countries will build strong, sustainable and systemic relationships. It is managed by the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and delivered through 15 UK delivery partners in collaboration with 16 partner countries.
Programme overview
In Turkey, the Newton Fund is being implemented as the Newton-Katip Çelebi Fund. It is supported by the UK and Turkish governments who have agreed to contribute £8 million a year for seven years. The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) is our partner in Turkey and the British Council is one of the delivery partners of the programme in the UK.
Programme components
The Newton-Katip Çelebi Fund brings together the scientific research and innovation sectors in the UK and Turkey to find joint solutions to the challenges facing Turkey in economic development and social welfare.
The fund aims to support the research and innovation capacity in Turkey for its long-term sustainable economic development and social welfare, expand and maximise cooperation in research and innovation between policymakers, government agencies, research organisations, universities, companies and enterprises and also promote research and collaboration that support long term sustainable partnerships between the UK and Turkey.
The results
The Newton Katip Celebi Fund contributed to Turkey's economic development and societal welfare by bringing together the scientific research and innovation capacities of the two countries and providing nearly 750 million TL in support since 2014. The grants have reached more than 140 institutions in nearly 60 provinces in Turkey. The program enabled the realisation of groundbreaking projects aimed at developing joint solutions to significant issues in Turkey.
‘Our collaboration with the University of Cambridge, UK was crucial. Our different skills and areas of expertise complement each other so we are always learning from each other. We could not do this alone.’
Prof. Berat Haznedaroğlu, Istanbul Microalgae Biotechnologies Research and Development Center at Boġaziҫi University, Newton-Katip Çelebi grantee