İSTKA Financial Support Programs (Mali Destek Programları)

AI Technologies Financial Support Program (Yapay Zekâ Teknolojileri Mali Destek Programı)

Funds development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies across Istanbul organisations through regional innovation pathways.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The 2025 Yapay Zekâ Teknolojileri Mali Destek Programı (AI Technologies Financial Support Programme) was a competitive grant call administered by İSTKA — İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı (Istanbul Development Agency) — with a total budget of TRY 200 million and individual grants of TRY 3 million to TRY 15 million per project. The programme's objective was to support Istanbul-region organisations in developing, deploying, and mainstreaming artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies across public services, research, and sector applications. It was one of three concurrent İSTKA calls in 2025 collectively worth TRY 550 million, alongside the Twin Transformation (İDM) and Corporate-Startup Cooperation (KSİ) programmes.

Eligible lead applicants included public institutions, universities, research centers, organised industrial zones, technoparks, technology transfer offices, non-governmental organisations, and professional chambers registered and operating in Istanbul (TR10). Private companies could participate as partners but could not lead applications. İSTKA covered up to 90% of eligible project costs; the minimum applicant co-funding share was the remaining portion. Applications were submitted through the national KAYS portal. The original submission deadline of April 11 or 18, 2025 was extended to May 5, 2025.

The 2025 cycle closed on May 5, 2025, and results were announced on August 14, 2025. Awarded projects must be implemented entirely within the Istanbul TR10 region. Organisations targeting the next annual cycle should monitor İSTKA's channel from late 2025 onward, as the agency follows a Q1 announcement pattern. Groups best positioned for this programme are those combining institutional credibility (university, public institution, or NGO lead) with a defined AI solution pipeline and clear plans for deployment within Istanbul's public or industrial ecosystem.