The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) is the leading agency for management, funding and conduct of research in Turkey. It was established in 1963 with a mission to advance science and technology, conduct research and support Turkish researchers. The Council is an autonomous institution and is governed by a Scientific Board whose members are selected from prominent scholars from universities, industry and research institutions. TÜBİTAK is responsible for promoting, developing, organizing, conducting and coordinating research and development in line with national targets and priorities. TÜBİTAK acts as an advisory agency to the Turkish Government on science and research issues, and is the secretariat of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology (SCST), the highest S&T policy making body in Turkey. Setting its vision as to be an innovative, guiding, participating and cooperating institution in the fields of science and technology, which serves for improvement of the life standards of our society and sustainable development of our country, TÜBİTAK not only supports innovation, academic and industrial R&D studies but also in line with national priorities develops scientific and technological policies and manages R&D institutes, carrying on research, technology and development studies. Furthermore, TÜBİTAK funds research projects carried out in universities and other public and private organizations, conducts research on strategic areas, develops support programs for public and private sectors, publishes scientific journals, popular science magazines and books, organizes science and society activities and supports undergraduate and graduate students through scholarships. More than 1,500 researchers work in 15 different research institutes of TÜBİTAK where contract research as well as targeted and nation-wide research is conducted.