A new support call has landed for Turkey’s manufacturing sector: DIGITALTR. Co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey, the project offers selected businesses a range of free services, from digital maturity assessment to technology testing. The deadline for the first application round is 30 September 2026 — a short window for manufacturers considering it.
This article lays out what the program offers, who can apply, and what to prepare before applying.
What is DIGITALTR, and who runs it?
DIGITALTR is a technical assistance project aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Turkey’s manufacturing sector through digital transformation. The program is co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey, and it operates under the Ministry of Industry and Technology together with the Competitive Sectors Programme. In other words, this is not a marketing campaign from a private consultancy or a small local incentive — it is an EU-funded, ministry-backed public program.
On the ground, it works through two component centers: the İHKİB Digital Transformation Center and the OzUBEX Industrial Transformation Center, expert hubs that work directly with businesses and put laboratory and testing infrastructure to use. That is what sets the program apart from a support scheme that stays on paper — the assessment and advisory work runs through real expert centers in the field.
EU co-financed technical assistance projects of this kind are not new in Turkey; similar structures have operated in other parts of industry before. But a program that focuses specifically on digital transformation, with a repeating three-round application calendar, is a window worth a manufacturer’s attention.
Who can apply?
The call defines the following eligibility criteria:
- Manufacturing businesses legally registered and operating in Turkey
- Technology providers developing digital solutions for industry (software or hardware companies)
- Applicants who can commit to active participation in the digital transformation process — the program treats this as real working engagement, not a paperwork exercise
The call text does not set a hard scale threshold (headcount or turnover); operating as a manufacturing business and being able to commit to the process are the two criteria that stand out. That sets it apart from some support schemes that automatically exclude businesses above or below a given size — this one appears open to a wider range of manufacturers. To confirm your own eligibility, check the application guide at digitaltr.org.
What does the program offer?
Selected businesses receive the following services free of charge:
| Service | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Digital Maturity Assessment | Measures the business’s current digital level and identifies priority areas |
| Digital Transformation Advisory | Roadmap and implementation support based on the assessment results |
| Testing and Validation | Testing new digital systems or technologies before investment |
| Joint Technology Solution Development | Developing sector-specific digital solutions together with the business |
No fee is charged for participation — the program’s cost is covered by joint EU-Turkey financing.
Application calendar: three rounds
The call is not a one-off; it is planned across three separate rounds:
| Round | Application window | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | July - September 2026 | October 2026 |
| Round 2 | November - December 2026 | January 2027 |
| Round 3 | February - March 2027 | April 2027 |
If a business misses the first round, the door stays open for the second and third. Still, reviewing the guide and preparing the application form takes time, so starting early for the next round is an advantage. Since the calendar and quota details can be revised, confirm the exact dates at digitaltr.org before applying.
Is digital transformation enough on its own?
DIGITALTR’s scope is limited to digitalization; the call text does not mention green transition or carbon reporting. In practice, though, the two agendas rarely move independently. A manufacturing plant going through a digital maturity assessment may also be exporting to the EU and facing emissions-data requests under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Connecting energy and production meters to the same digital system while building that infrastructure tends to cost less than launching a separate carbon-measurement project later.
That is why it pays to think beyond “let’s set up an ERP” or “let’s develop a joint technology solution” when applying to a program like DIGITALTR — and to consider what needs (production tracking, energy monitoring, supply-chain reporting) the same data infrastructure could serve together.
What does a digital maturity assessment surface before you apply?
Programs like this share a common trait: they force a business to look in the mirror first. A digital maturity assessment typically asks where production data lives, how many systems operate without talking to each other, which processes still run on paper or spreadsheets, and whether machines can communicate with each other or with a higher-level system.
In most manufacturing businesses, the honest answer is uncomfortable: production, inventory, quality, and finance data sit in separate systems — or in no system at all, scattered across spreadsheets or held in people’s heads. The assessment report makes that picture explicit; but getting the report is not the end of the work. The real task is moving that data into a single, sustainable structure. That is where the scope of a digital transition project becomes clear: ERP integration, machine data collection (M2M/IoT), and process automation, and in what order to tackle them.
Common obstacles when preparing to apply
Even though the program is free, it does expect real preparation from the business during the application and the process itself. Based on our experience, three obstacles come up most often:
- Fragmented data — how much a machine ran, what a given line produced, is often unclear. When the assessment team arrives, this information gets pulled together on the fly.
- Unclear process ownership — who will lead the digital transformation project, who makes decisions, is often not settled. In a program that expects active participation, this is the most common reason things slow down.
- Lack of prioritization — a “let’s digitalize everything at once” approach creates confusion in a program working within a limited timeframe and resources. Turning the assessment report into a concrete, sequenced roadmap is a separate piece of work.
İkiz Eksen’s approach
İkiz Eksen steps in right at this preparation stage: making field-level production and energy data measurable, moving fragmented spreadsheets into a single structure, and then turning that into value through ERP and process automation. For businesses applying — or considering applying — to programs like DIGITALTR, this means turning an assessment report into an actionable plan instead of letting it sit on a shelf.
We can work through which step to start with together. Take a look at our solution areas or get in touch directly — let’s talk about where things stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which businesses can apply to DIGITALTR?
Manufacturing businesses legally registered and operating in Turkey, as well as technology providers developing digital solutions for industry, can apply. Applicants are expected to commit to active participation in the digital transformation process. Confirm the exact eligibility criteria in the application guide at digitaltr.org.
Is there a fee to participate?
No. Digital Maturity Assessment, advisory, testing/validation, and joint technology development services are provided free to selected businesses; the cost is covered by joint EU-Turkey financing.
What happens if I miss the first round?
The program is planned across three rounds. The first-round deadline closes in September 2026, but the application window stays open for round two (November-December 2026) and round three (February-March 2027).
Is DIGITALTR the same as KOSGEB’s digital transformation support?
No, they are separate programs. KOSGEB’s SME Digital Transformation Support Program is a distinct credit/support mechanism; the DDX platform run by TÜBİTAK TÜSSİDE is another separate structure that connects businesses with a digital maturity assessment and an advisor pool. DIGITALTR is a distinct EU-Turkey co-financed project operating under the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Competitive Sectors Programme. Clarify which program fits your business before applying — depending on your needs, applying to more than one may also be possible.
What should I prepare before applying?
Work out where your production, inventory, and energy data currently lives, and which systems operate independently of each other. Settle who inside the business will lead the process. This groundwork makes both filling out the application form and the time spent with the assessment team more productive.