UNIVERSITY OF CUKUROVA

Their core work

The University of Cukurova is a major Turkish public university based in Adana, active in agricultural sciences, energy research, and fundamental physics. In H2020, they contribute expertise in plant breeding and berry crop genetics (genotyping, phenotyping, germplasm development), thermal energy storage for buildings and industry, and fisheries technology. Their research spans from pre-breeding strategies for resilient berry varieties to PhD training in energy efficiency, reflecting a broad university with applied research strengths in agriculture and energy.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015-2018), the university focused on energy — specifically thermal energy storage, energy efficiency in buildings, and PhD training programs. From 2018 onward, their involvement shifted decisively toward agriculture and food systems, with projects on smart fisheries technology and, most significantly, berry crop breeding and genetics. The BreedingValue project (2021-2025) represents their largest commitment and clearest strategic direction.

Moving strongly toward agricultural biotechnology and plant genetics, with berry breeding now their flagship EU research activity.

How they like to work

Cukurova participates exclusively as a partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for Turkish universities entering EU framework programmes. With 81 unique partners across 22 countries, they have built a wide European network despite their relatively small project count, indicating they join large, well-connected consortia. This makes them an accessible partner — experienced in multi-national collaboration but without the overhead expectations of a consortium leader.

Despite only 5 projects, they have collaborated with 81 unique partners across 22 countries, reflecting participation in large international consortia. Their network spans broadly across Europe with no single dominant geographic cluster.

What sets them apart

As a Turkish university with strong agricultural research capacity, Cukurova offers access to Mediterranean and Near Eastern crop diversity and growing conditions — particularly valuable for berry and plant breeding research. Their location in Adana, one of Turkey's major agricultural regions, provides direct connection to farming practice and agri-food industry. For consortium builders, they offer a reliable Turkish partner with proven EU project experience and a wide collaborative network.

Highlights from their portfolio

• BreedingValue
  Their largest H2020 project (EUR 293K) and most recent, focused on pre-breeding strategies for resilient berry varieties — signals their primary research direction.
• INPATH-TES
  Their first H2020 project, a PhD training initiative on thermal energy storage that established their EU collaboration credentials.
• SMARTFISH
  Demonstrates cross-sector reach into fisheries technology and sensor systems, an unexpected capability for an agriculture-focused university.