BILKENT UNIVERSITESI VAKIF

Their core work

Bilkent University is a leading Turkish private research university with deep strengths in physics, materials science, micro/nano-fabrication, and economics. Their H2020 portfolio spans advanced laser processing, graphene-based membranes and surfaces, MEMS sensors, and theoretical economics — reflecting a university where engineering and social sciences both compete at the European level. They frequently host Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows and hold multiple ERC grants, indicating strong individual research talent. Their work translates into practical domains including lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, soft robotics materials, and gas sensing technologies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2018, Bilkent focused heavily on nano-scale materials — graphene membranes for gas separation and desalination, silicon micromachining, triboelectricity, and FPGA accelerators — alongside foundational economics research on business cycles. From 2019 onward, the portfolio pivoted toward applied sensing and smart materials (MEMS gas sensors, lab-on-a-chip, soft robotics), active matter physics, and a broader social sciences agenda covering refugee integration, media platforms, and pandemic response. The university has clearly moved from fundamental nanomaterials research toward application-ready sensor and robotics technologies while simultaneously expanding its social impact research.

Bilkent is converging toward intelligent sensing systems and programmable materials, making them a strong future partner for projects combining physics-based sensors with machine learning.

How they like to work

Bilkent overwhelmingly leads its projects: 16 of 28 roles are as coordinator, mostly for MSCA individual fellowships and ERC grants — reflecting a university that attracts top researchers who bring their own funding. As a participant, they join mid-sized European consortia (PRACE, EUMEPLAT, EU-LISTCO), contributing specialist expertise rather than project management. With 146 unique partners across 37 countries, they are a well-connected hub rather than a captive partner of any single network.

Bilkent has collaborated with 146 distinct partners across 37 countries, giving it one of the widest networks among Turkish universities in H2020. Their partnerships span Western Europe (via MSCA/ERC host arrangements) and extend into HPC infrastructure networks through PRACE.

What sets them apart

Bilkent is one of very few Turkish universities that consistently coordinates EU grants rather than joining as a junior partner — 57% of their H2020 projects are coordinator-led. They combine hard physics and engineering (lasers, MEMS, graphene) with serious social science research (economics, political anthropology, media studies) at a level rarely seen in a single institution from an EU-associated country. For consortium builders, Bilkent offers both technical depth and geographic bridging between the EU and Turkey/Black Sea region.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INCLUSION
  Largest single grant (EUR 1.75M ERC) on social inclusion and refugee integration in education — shows major social sciences ambition.
• REM
  EUR 1.5M ERC Starting Grant for electromagnetic cell imaging on a chip — their flagship biomedical sensing project bridging physics and diagnostics.
• TEA
  EUR 1.28M grant on business cycle asymmetry and monetary policy — demonstrates Bilkent's economics department competing at the top European level.