ISTANBUL TEKNIK UNIVERSITESI

Their core work

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is a major Turkish research university with deep expertise in advanced materials, smart textiles, and aerospace/transport systems. Their materials science work spans e-textiles, wearable electronics, nanoparticles, composite solid electrolytes for batteries, and corrosion-resistant composites. They are a consistent contributor to European HPC infrastructure through the PRACE series and increasingly active in aviation safety, air traffic management, and maritime transport. ITU bridges fundamental materials research with applied engineering in transport and energy storage.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015-2018), ITU focused on smart textiles, musicology and transcultural arts research, nano-computing, and biomedical diagnostics — a broad but materials-heavy portfolio with a surprising arts dimension. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward aviation systems (ATM, safety, climate mitigation), HPC infrastructure, maritime transport, and energy storage materials. The arts and cultural projects disappeared entirely, replaced by applied engineering with clear industrial relevance.

ITU is moving from fundamental materials research toward applied transport engineering and battery technology, making them increasingly relevant for green transport and energy storage consortia.

How they like to work

ITU balances leadership and partnership almost evenly — 10 projects as coordinator (mostly MSCA fellowships and smaller RIAs) and 17 as participant in larger consortia. Their 320 unique partners across 49 countries indicate a wide, non-exclusive network; they are comfortable joining large multi-partner consortia (PRACE had 25+ partners) as well as running focused bilateral research. This makes them a flexible partner who can adapt to different consortium structures.

ITU has collaborated with 320 unique partners across 49 countries, making them one of the most broadly connected Turkish universities in H2020. Their network spans Western Europe (through PRACE, aviation, and EELISA) and extends to polar research regions through EU-PolarNet 2.

What sets them apart

ITU is one of very few Turkish universities that consistently coordinates H2020 projects (10 out of 28), demonstrating strong grant-writing capability and project management capacity. Their rare combination of smart textiles expertise with aviation systems and battery materials creates cross-domain opportunities that few partners can offer. For consortium builders, ITU provides a reliable entry point to Turkey's research ecosystem with proven EU project delivery across multiple domains.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CSE-LBATTS
  Their most recent project (2023-2026), coordinated by ITU, on solid-state lithium batteries — signals a strategic pivot into energy storage.
• ETexWeld
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 382,500) and their first coordinated H2020 project, establishing ITU's smart textiles leadership.
• PRACE-6IP
  Third consecutive PRACE participation (EUR 320,057), demonstrating sustained commitment to European HPC infrastructure over 7+ years.