R&D and Design Centre Consulting
R&D and Design Centre Consulting is the service that helps eligible companies obtain a centre certificate from the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology and run the centre. FIX works with you on the process, from the application file to annual reporting. Centre status is open to companies registered in Türkiye. Foreign investors can apply once they have set up a company in Türkiye.
- 100+ completed projectsFIX records
- End-to-end managementone team from eligibility to certificate and reporting
- Every support routeKOSGEB, TÜBİTAK, Ministry, incentives
Why choose FIX for R&D and Design Centres?
We manage the set-up of your R&D or Design Centre, from the Ministry application to audit preparation, and plan your tax and social security (SGK) incentives from day one.
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Traditional method: It is unclear whether to become an R&D Centre or a Design Centre.The FIX method: The centre type best suited to your activities is settled before you apply.
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Traditional method: Staff and project requirements turn out to be incomplete at the time of application.The FIX method: Minimum staff and project requirements are completed step by step in line with the application timeline.
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Traditional method: The application file and committee presentation are prepared without planning.The FIX method: The file and committee presentation are prepared to meet the Ministry’s expectations.
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Traditional method: Annual obligations after the certificate is issued are not tracked.The FIX method: Annual obligations after the certificate is issued are scheduled and met on time.
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Result: Returned applications and unused advantages.Result: A certified centre that claims its benefits in line with the legislation and is run for the long term.
What you get
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Planned use of financial advantages
We plan the conditions for benefiting from corporate tax, SGK and income tax incentives in line with the legislation and monitor them periodically. -
Sustainable management
We put your R&D processes into a traceable, auditable system that meets Ministry standards, raising your operational efficiency. -
Audits and risk management
By managing processes in line with the legislation, we keep you ready for technical and financial audits at all times. We also work to identify and address potential risks before the audit. -
Qualified workforce
While optimising your staff costs with incentives, we design strategies that help you retain and develop your qualified team. -
Academic partnerships
We design project-based partnerships with universities and plan your applications to national and international grant funds. -
Corporate prestige
An R&D or design centre certificate supports your brand value and strengthens your image as a technology- and innovation-focused company.
Who can apply?
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R&D Centre
The capacity to develop project ideas and manage those projects, with at least 15 R&D staff holding “Researcher” and “Technician” status. -
Design Centre
The capacity to conceive and structure original design projects, with at least 10 design staff holding “Designer” status.
R&D and design centre set-up process
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We compare your staff, projects and infrastructure with the centre application requirements.
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We prepare the activity report, organisational structure and project portfolio.
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We upload the application to the Ministry’s electronic system within the deadline and track the process.
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We prepare your team and documents together for the committee visit.
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Once the certificate is issued, we set up the centre’s management and record-keeping with you.
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We prepare the periodic reports so you can use the incentives without interruption.
Eligible cost items
| Support item | Scope |
|---|---|
100% tax deduction |
You deduct all spending incurred in the centre from your corporate tax base and pay less tax. |
Customs duty |
You are exempt from customs duty on products, machinery or software you import for your projects. |
Stamp duty |
You pay no stamp duty on documents and official transactions relating to the centre. |
Income tax relief on salaries |
Most of the income tax withheld from your staff’s salaries is not collected, and that amount stays in your business. |
SGK employer share support |
The government covers half (50%) of the employer’s share of social security premiums you pay for your employees. |
Employment support in eligible programme fields |
For R&D Centers that employ R&D staff with at least a bachelor’s degree in the eligible programme fields, the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology covers the gross minimum wage amount for each such employee. This lasts 2 years and is limited to 10% of the centre’s R&D staff. |
Client results
- Grant and incentive references
- 200+
- Active grant clients
- 50+
- Years of experience
- 15+
- Support received by our clients
- TRY 5 billion
Figures are compiled from FIX records and updated from a single source.
What our clients say
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With their strategic guidance throughout the R&D Centre process, we maximised our tax advantages. We achieved significant savings across our cost items.
M.K.General Manager
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They managed the complex application and documentation process superbly. We focused only on innovation while they resolved all the bureaucracy smoothly.
S.T.R&D Director
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We obtained our Design Centre certificate quickly. We feel secure thanks above all to their meticulous preparation and risk management in audit processes.
E.A.Board Member
Success stories from grant and incentive projects
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FKK Grup has created value across many core sectors since 1957, from automotive to mining. It chose FIX for professional support in taking its technical projects and investment goals forward.
Ufuk Altuncu · FKK Grup
Grant and Incentive Consulting
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Active in more than 135 countries across energy, telecommunications and defence, MİTAŞ Group ran its grant, incentive and investment processes with FIX.
Pelin Eryaşar · MİTAŞ Group
Grant and Incentive Consulting
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Şirikçioğlu Group, which produces yarn and denim in Kahramanmaraş for markets worldwide, ran its grant and investment incentive processes with FIX.
Mustafa Erdem · Şirikçioğlu Group
Grant and Incentive Consulting
Some of the companies we work with
Other services
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Grants and incentives
TÜBİTAK Consulting
We design and run your R&D and innovation projects under the TÜBİTAK programme that fits you.
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Grants and incentives
KOSGEB Consulting
We manage SME applications for start-up, capacity and digital transformation support.
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Grants and incentives
Investment Incentive Consulting
We place your investment in the right programme and manage the Investment Incentive Certificate.
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Grants and incentives
Export Support
We plan trade fair, promotion and market entry costs with Ministry of Trade support.
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Exports
Export Consulting
We run the export process with you, from market selection to order talks with buyers.
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Corporate Development
TURQUALITY® Consulting
We run the TURQUALITY® process end to end, from application to audit and spending management.
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Exports
Software and Technology Export Consulting
We turn your software product into a scalable business abroad with the Wise Bridge® method.
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Exports
Import Consulting
We find reliable, more cost-effective suppliers and manage the negotiation and sampling process.
How is R&D and Design Centre Consulting priced?
There is no single tariff. The fee is set for your business based on the centre type, company size, application scope and the workload involved.
Let’s work out the right scope for you.
If you’d first like to check for yourself which support you qualify for: Try the AIx® Incentive Robot for free (available in Turkish)
What is R&D and Design Centre Consulting?
R&D and design centre consulting is the process of helping your company obtain an R&D or design centre certificate under Law No. 5746 and benefit, in line with the legislation, from the tax and SGK advantages that status brings.
At FIX, we manage every stage, from application preparation to audit and from set-up to sustainable management. A well-structured R&D centre consulting process completes the application file with the documents the legislation requires and lays the groundwork for uninterrupted use of the incentives. To also finance your R&D projects with grants, you can combine this with our TÜBİTAK Consulting service.
R&D Centre or Design Centre?
Depending on your company’s focus, two different centre statuses stand out:
| R&D CentreFocused on technology and product development | Design CentreFocused on original design development | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Developing project ideas and managing R&D | Structuring original design projects |
| Staff requirement | At least 15 R&D staff (researchers/ | At least 10 designers |
| Typical company | Industrial firms developing production and technology | Companies with design-intensive production |
| Shared advantages | Tax deduction, SGK employer support, stamp duty and customs exemptions | |
We assess together which centre status suits your company and prepare the application to the criteria of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Which companies are prime candidates for an R&D Centre?
Companies that carry out R&D but do not document it are the first candidates for centre status. So are companies that have not yet defined their product development team as R&D staff, and manufacturers running new product or process projects. For these companies we do not start from scratch; we turn existing work into a certified centre.
What are the requirements for a centre certificate?
A centre certificate depends on four conditions: enough full-time equivalent staff, a separate centre area, projects of an R&D or design nature, and activity carried out in Türkiye.
- Staff: The number of full-time equivalent staff meets the threshold above; part-time employees are counted proportionally.
- Separate area: The centre area must be clearly defined and physically separate from production and administrative units.
- Nature of projects: Projects must clearly be R&D or original design work. Routine technical drawing or engineering work does not qualify.
- Activity in Türkiye: R&D and design activities are carried out in Türkiye.
- Continuity: Staff and area requirements must be maintained throughout the centre’s activity, not just at application.
The final evaluation of the application rests with the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Which companies is a Design Centre suitable for?
A Design Centre suits manufacturers that want to move from contract manufacturing to their own collections and brand. In contract manufacturing, the added value stays not with the manufacturer but with whoever owns the collection; textiles, apparel and furniture are well-known examples. The centre certificate eases the cost of a design team through income tax withholding incentives and SGK employer share support.
Frequently asked questions
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What exactly does R&D and design centre consulting provide?It prepares your company for an R&D or design centre certificate and manages the application and…
It prepares your company for an R&D or design centre certificate and manages the application and audit preparation; through reporting after the certificate, it supports uninterrupted use of incentives. -
How many staff does an R&D Centre need?An R&D Centre requires at least 15 R&D staff (with researcher and technician status); a Design…
An R&D Centre requires at least 15 R&D staff (with researcher and technician status); a Design Centre requires at least 10 designers. -
Which incentives are available?The main incentives are a 100% corporate tax deduction, an income tax withholding incentive, SGK…
The main incentives are a 100% corporate tax deduction, an income tax withholding incentive, SGK employer share support, stamp duty exemption, customs exemption and employment support for staff in eligible programme fields. -
What is the difference between an R&D Centre and a Design Centre?An R&D Centre focuses on technology and product development; a Design Centre focuses on original design.
An R&D Centre focuses on technology and product development; a Design Centre focuses on original design. Staff requirements and scope of activity differ; the incentives are largely similar. -
What is the difference between an R&D Centre and an R&D project?An R&D project is time-limited support for a single piece of work; programmes of the Scientific…
An R&D project is time-limited support for a single piece of work; programmes of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) are an example. An R&D Centre, by contrast, is a permanent status within the company. As long as the status is maintained, R&D spending in the centre benefits from tax and SGK advantages without project-by-project applications.
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What can a company do if it does not yet meet the staff requirement?For these companies, project-based R&D support is the right starting point; the TÜBİTAK 1507 SME…
For these companies, project-based R&D support is the right starting point; the TÜBİTAK 1507 SME R&D Startup Grant Programme is one example. As your staff grows, we plan the move to a centre application with you.
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What obligations arise after a centre certificate is issued?The main obligations are maintaining the staff requirement, keeping records of projects and…
The main obligations are maintaining the staff requirement, keeping records of projects and submitting the annual activity report on time. The Ministry audits periodically to confirm these conditions are still met. Uninterrupted tax and SGK advantages depend on these obligations; we take the reporting load off your team.