TEKNOFEST Nuclear Technology Competition Finals Started in Istanbul

The finals of the TEKNOFEST nuclear technology competition, carried out under the leadership of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and TENMAK, are being held on September 1–4, 2026, at the TENMAK campus in Küçükçekmece, Istanbul.

Aim and Scope of the Competition

Held within the scope of TEKNOFEST under the main coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the T3 Foundation, the competition aims to enable young people to translate their technical knowledge and engineering skills in the field of nuclear energy into practice.

Young people are developing projects across a wide range, from modular reactors and research reactors to nuclear fuel and waste management, as well as passive safety systems.

Software and Robotics Projects

In the application category, simulation software is being prepared covering topics such as neutronic and thermal-hydraulic analyses, fuel performance, and post-accident atmospheric dispersion.

In robotic systems, physical prototypes are being developed that can be used in facility operation, maintenance and repair, in-pipe inspection, and post-accident intervention processes.

Participation and Number of Finalists

Teams consisting of university students, graduates, and private sector representatives studying both in Turkey and abroad applied.

As a result of evaluations made among a total of 193 teams and 733 contestants, 42 teams and 293 contestants earned the right to participate in the final stage.

Awards and Incentive Supports

A special incentive support of 15 million lira will be provided for the laboratory and infrastructure setup of the university to which the school team that comes first in the detailed design category is affiliated.

The team that comes first in the same category will receive an award of 1 million 250 thousand lira, the second 550 thousand lira, and the third team 400 thousand lira.