Notes:
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply early.
** As all program discussions are conducted in Turkish, applicants must have a high level of proficiency in Turkish.
In 2010, GRF began building a community of young thinkers by launching the Young Scholars Program for undergraduate students studying at leading universities in Turkey and around the world. The GRF Young Scholars Program paused its activities in 2020 as part of a restructuring process and was relaunched in 2022 as the GRF Young Fellows Program, with renewed content and a new format.
Designed to encourage open-ended inquiry and analytical thinking, the GRF Young Fellows Program draws on developments on the global agenda to provide young people with a platform for understanding the macro-level connections among the many dimensions of global affairs, from economics and technology to law and politics. The program also introduces participants to key lines of debate about the direction of the world from a long-term perspective, grounded in available data and observations. With this broader picture in mind, it aims to help participants shape their professional and personal aspirations, as well as their vision for contributing to their countries and to humanity.
The program has a multidisciplinary structure and brings together students from a wide range of fields, including administrative sciences, social sciences, natural sciences, law, medicine, and engineering. Drawing on the assigned reading materials, students are encouraged to think creatively and articulate their own perspectives in discussions with their peers.
The GRF Young Fellows Program consists of a series of meetings and workshops held throughout the academic year, bringing students together with members of GRF and GRF Communities who are experts in their fields and participate as speakers or moderators. Through their creative ideas and collaborative work, young participants contribute to the GRF ecosystem.
The 2026–2027 term will be organized around the overarching theme “Power, Society and Technology in a Transforming World.” Students from leading universities in Turkey and around the world will participate as part of the same cohort through a flexible model that combines in-person and online participation.
Please click here for past events.
For the program brochure from the previous term, please click here.
Program Overview
The program consists of three components:
● Core Sessions
● Fellow Workshops and Mentorship
● Thematic Readings & Presentations
Upon completing the program, fellows who meet the specified participation and contribution criteria will:
● join GRF Communities with the title of “Young Fellow”;
● be invited to various events organized by GRF after the program;
● receive priority consideration when applying for internships and employment opportunities at GRF.
Program Details
● Each GRF Young Fellows cohort will consist of no more than 20 students.
● Undergraduate students studying in faculties such as Administrative Sciences, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Law, Medicine, and Engineering at leading universities in Turkey and around the world are eligible to apply. Efforts will be made to ensure balanced representation across academic disciplines when forming the cohort.
● Priority will be given to students in their third and fourth years of undergraduate study.
● The program will run for nine months, from October 2026 to June 2027. For participants based abroad, the in-person participation requirement will be applied flexibly, with alternative participation formats available.
● Sessions will be conducted in Turkish. However, as the articles, books, and other materials assigned in preparation for meetings will be predominantly in English, participants are expected to have a strong command of English.
● GRF will cover travel and accommodation expenses for students participating from outside the city. Lunch will also be provided during in-person meetings, and meeting materials such as articles and books will be supplied by GRF.
Application Process
● During the program period, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program and may be no further along than their final year of study. They must also have a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 or its equivalent.
Required documents:
● Transcript
● Statement of purpose — a statement of no more than 500 words introducing the applicant, outlining their academic background and areas of interest, explaining why they wish to participate in the program, and describing their expectations of GRF and the program.
● CV — should include extracurricular activities, clubs/organizations in which the applicant has participated or been a member, international experience, and completed certificate programs.
● Foreign languages — applicants should have advanced proficiency in English and/or other languages; language certificates may be submitted if available.
● At least one letter of recommendation
● The deadline is September 10, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Only candidates who receive a positive evaluation during the application review process will be contacted.
● Please complete the application form in full. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.
● For any questions, please contact us at yfbasvuru@gif.org.tr.
