Research Facilities Istanbul University values the academic research of both students and academics and supports and encourages these studies in every possible way. The Istanbul University Research Fund exists for this purpose and offers a number of programmes to support the continuance of the academic activities of our teaching staff, and to subsidize students' undergraduate, M.A., and doctorate studies. Through the support programmes offered by the Research Fund whose means were augmented after 1998, the academic publications profile of Istanbul University was considerably heightened. The Research Fund finances studies, thesis projects, and international publications in the fields of sciences, medicine and social studies, and aids academic staff in many of their enterprises, such as their contributions to international congresses or acquirement of patent rights. The activities of the Research Fund also include the support of students with academic research projects. Moreover, the Research Fund sponsors our teaching staff in every way, whether it be scientific or technological exchanges, invitations to foreign academics, or programmes involving participation in scientific activities abroad.