Applications for the 11th Science and Ideas Festival are now open…

Under the theme “Inventions Come Our Way,” and organized by Üsküdar University in collaboration with the Provincial Directorates of National Education in Istanbul, Bursa, Sakarya, Kocaeli, and Yalova Provincial Directorates of National Education, aimed at high school students, has opened for applications. The deadline for project submissions is March 13, 2026, and the awards ceremony will be held on May 15, 2026. 

Science and Ideas Festival Coordinator Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel stated: “The Science and Ideas Festival offers students an early R&D experience where they can transform their scientific curiosity into tangible outcomes.”
 

Organized by Üsküdar University under the theme “Let’s Come Up with an Invention” and in collaboration with the Provincial Directorates of National Education in Istanbul, Bursa, Sakarya, Kocaeli, and Yalova Provincial Directorates of National Education, has opened applications for this year’s 11th edition of the Science and Ideas Festival (BFF), aimed at high school students. 

A strategic educational initiative… 

Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, Vice Rector of Üsküdar University and Coordinator of the Science and Ideas Festival, emphasized that the Science and Ideas Festival (BFF) is not merely a competition but a strategic educational initiative aimed at introducing young people to scientific thinking, project development, and a culture of entrepreneurship at an early age.

A project-based education approach is being extended to the high school level…

Explaining the rationale behind the festival, Prof. Dr. Ergüzel stated, “The festival’s founding purpose is to nurture high school students not merely as individuals who acquire knowledge, but as young people who recognize problems in their surroundings, question them, generate solutions, and transform their ideas into projects. This approach reflects Üsküdar University’s project-based education philosophy extended to the high school level. The Science and Ideas Festival offers students an early R&D experience where they can transform their scientific curiosity into tangible outcomes. Throughout this process, students learn to define problems, develop appropriate methods, articulate their findings in academic language, and present their work to a jury. Supported by poster and oral presentation stages, this structure serves as the first application of university-level research and project processes at the high school level. “In this way, students are prepared in advance for the academic and research culture they will encounter when they enter university,” he said.

Ensuring that generated ideas do not remain merely theoretical is one of the primary goals

Noting that one of the festival’s primary goals is to ensure that the ideas generated do not remain merely theoretical but are transformed into innovative, sustainable, and socially beneficial projects, Prof. Dr. Ergüzel said, “Evaluating projects based on criteria of widespread impact and sustainability is is a natural outcome of Üsküdar University’s entrepreneurship- and innovation-focused approach. In this regard, the Science and Ideas Festival has been designed as a strategic educational platform that supports the researchers, entrepreneurs, and scientists of the future from an early age and aims to make project culture a permanent feature.”

The focus is on practical skills and innovative thinking rather than rote learning…

Emphasizing that in today’s world, where practical skills and innovative thinking have replaced rote learning, initiatives like the Science and Ideas Festival have become a critical launchpad for the next generation of leaders and inventors, Prof. Dr. Ergüzel continued:

“This festival offers high school students a unique space for development where they can put theoretical knowledge into practice, showcase their creativity, and acquire the skills of the future starting today. This platform invites students to move beyond being passive recipients of knowledge and become active idea generators and project developers. The fundamental motivation behind the festival is to nurture young people who can engage in critical thinking, think independently, generate new ideas, and possess the ability to transform these ideas into concrete projects. The goal is not only to foster individual success but also to develop critical social skills such as thinking collaboratively, sharing ideas, and uniting around a common goal. This vision aims to contribute to the development of young people into well-rounded individuals, both academically and socially.”

What are the benefits of participating in the festival?

Prof. Dr. Ergüzel also noted that the Üsküdar University Science and Ideas Festival offers young inventors not just a competitive environment, but a holistic development space where scientific thinking, R&D, and project development skills are acquired at an early age. “Students participating in the festival gain experience in defining a problem based on their own ideas, generating scientific and innovative solutions to that problem, and transforming their ideas into concrete projects. This process strengthens students’ analytical thinking, research, and solution-oriented skills while preparing them for university-level projects and R&D work. The festival represents much more than just a competition; this platform is a carefully designed experiential space for students’ personal and academic development. “Participating in the festival goes beyond simply aiming to win an award; it means acquiring valuable skills that will shape a student’s future career,” he said.

The goal is to provide young inventors with multifaceted benefits…

Prof. Dr. Ergüzel stated that the Üsküdar University Science and Ideas Festival offers participants not merely a competition experience, but but also offers multifaceted benefits that support their academic, personal, and career development,” said Prof. Dr. Ergüzel. “The festival enables students to experience firsthand every stage of the process—from the conception of an idea to its transformation into a project and its presentation in an academic setting. Participants work knowing that their projects will be evaluated according to professional criteria such as originality, methodology, broad impact, and sustainability. This approach not only strengthens students’ skills in conducting research, analytical thinking, problem definition, and solution generation but also naturally helps them acquire competencies critical to university and professional life, such as resource management, planning, and effective presentation,” he said.

The top three projects receive “Patent and Scholarship Support”

Noting that the festival supports the hard work and innovative ideas of young people not only academically but also through tangible rewards, Prof. Dr. Ergüzel continued:

“While cash prizes are awarded to the top five projects in all categories and their advisor teachers, the students who place in the top ranks gain significant career opportunities. Students who place in the top three are eligible for a 75% tuition scholarship if they list specific programs at Üsküdar University among their top five choices and are admitted to one of those programs. This scholarship serves as a vital form of support, enabling students to make a strong start on their higher education journey. In addition, the patenting and career support offered to projects that place in the top three protect students’ ideas, provide guidance through the patenting process, and enable the projects to be transformed into tangible products. Projects ranked 6th through 10th are awarded honorable mentions in the categories of “Good Idea,” “Original Method,” and “Sustainable Project.”

Who can apply, how, and where?

Noting that the application process is designed to be accessible to all high school students, Prof. Dr. Ergüzel continued:

“Students in preparatory, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades attending all public and private schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education across Turkey, as well as students from the Science and Arts Education Center (BİLSEM) and the Research, Development, Education, and Application Center (ARGEM). 

Projects are accepted in three main categories: Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Health Sciences. Applications are not open to individual students; all applications must be submitted through a supervising teacher. 

All procedures, including the project application form, are conducted online via the official website at www.bilimvefikirfestivali.com. A maximum of 4 students may participate in a single project, and each student is eligible to enter the competition with only one project.”

Prof. Dr. Ergüzel also noted that projects that have previously won awards in other peer-reviewed and scientifically judged competitions, such as TÜBİTAK and Teknofest, are not eligible to apply to this festival. “Students have the opportunity to present their projects not just to any jury, but to a scientific committee composed of Üsküdar University faculty members and expert teachers appointed by the Ministry of National Education. This experience serves as a hands-on practice in defending ideas in an academic setting, receiving constructive criticism, and establishing professional communication.”

Every great discovery begins with a little curiosity… 

Prof. Dr. Ergüzel issued the following call to young people:

“Every great discovery begins with a little curiosity. That idea you ask, ‘Could this work?’ might just turn into a project that shapes your future. The Science and Ideas Festival is an invitation for you to take that first step. Believe in yourself and your idea.”

As part of the festival, cash prizes are awarded to winning projects, incentives are offered to advising teachers, and students placing in the top three receive a 75% tuition scholarship and patent support. Additionally, students can look forward to honorable mention awards, participation certificates, and an Üsküdar University Library Card.

A total of 600,000 TL in prizes…

The deadline for project submissions for the 11th Üsküdar University Science and Ideas Festival is March 13, 2026, and the awards ceremony will be held on May 15, 2026. A total of 600 bin TL in cash prizes will be awarded across all categories at the festival.