Turkey has amended the support scheme for R&D and design activities to now include third party services. The change means external legal counselling regarding designs, trademarks and patents is now eligible to be included in the government financial support scheme. The scope of general expenses for R&D and design centres has also been expanded, to now also include mailing, shipping and courier costs.
The Regulation Amending the Regulation on Supporting R&D and Design Activities (“Amendment Regulation”) was published in Official Gazette number 29979 on 14 February 2017, entering into effect on the same date. The articles 1 and 4 will be in effect as of 1 March 2016.
Notable changes under the Amendment Regulation include:
- Costs for mail, shipping, courier are now deemed to be general expenses for design and R&D centres, meaning they become eligible to be covered by state financial support packages.
- Legal and scientific counselling services can now be provided to design and R&D centres by third parties.
- Discounts available under the Law on Supporting Research & Development and Design Activities numbered 5746 which are available for R&D have been re-regulated. The new provision includes more detailed conditions and processes. The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey also becomes authorized to examine projects.
Please see this link for full text of the Amendment Regulation (only available in Turkish)
