The ECO-SPHERE Programme is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND Action hosted by two prestigious universities in Turkiye, providing multidimensional academic experience and excellent facilities and technologies; Yildiz Technical University (YTU), founded in 1911 and located in the heart of Istanbul, and Dokuz Eylul University (DEU), founded in 1982 and located in Izmir.

Over a course of five years with two calls for proposals, ECO-SPHERE will offer 24 fellowships of 24 months each, in the field of environmental sciences. It will be open to ambitious postdoctoral applicants worldwide who are highly engaged in research and environmental sciences starting April 2024. 

ECO-SPHERE aims to advance knowledge and innovation in the circular economy in particular, and support the next generation of researchers and help boost their careers within the scope of the environment. 

Circular economic basis will play vital roles in transforming current industrial practices to preserve natural resources, mitigate environmental degradation, and lead to long term economic growth.

Admitted fellows will be exposed to rich connections, whether from their peers, host institutions, or the program’s different activities. These connections, along with the numerous academic and social events throughout their stay, and strong support of their research and encouragement of innovative initiatives, all together will help them gain priceless experiences that will remain with them for long after the program is over. 

The outcomes of the fostered studies will promote collaboration in various regions and industries to accelerate environmental awareness and policies, and lead to better lifestyles and communities.

Vision

A future where circular economy is not an ambition, but the way systems work; designed, tested, and led by a new generation of researchers.

Mission

ECO-SPHERE brings together talented researchers, supervisors, and partners to turn circular economy ideas into practice. Through hands-on research, international experience, and close collaboration beyond academia, we support fellows in building solutions that are relevant, usable, and built to last.

Core Values

• Real-World Relevance: We prioritise research that responds to actual societal and environmental challenges, with a clear path beyond academia.
• Integrity & Quality: We uphold high standards in research, ethics, and collaboration, ensuring that outcomes are credible and lasting.
• Collaboration Without Silos: We work across disciplines, sectors, and borders, because circular economy solutions don’t happen in isolation.
• Researcher Empowerment: We trust and support fellows to take ownership of their work, develop their voice, and shape their own career paths.
• Openness & Impact: We value transparency, knowledge sharing, and engagement with society to maximise the reach and usefulness of our work.