ANKARA — Applications have officially opened for the new term of the "Turkey’s Engineer Girls" program, widely known internationally as Global Engineer Girls (GEG) Turkey. Entering its 11th consecutive year, the initiative continues its mission to promote gender equality in engineering by providing young women with equal access to education, professional development, and high-quality employment opportunities. According to organizers, the application window for the upcoming academic term opened on September 17 and will remain active until October 8, 2026.
The program represents a highly structured, long-term collaborative effort between the Limak Foundation and the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Family and Social Services. Since its inception in 2015, the project has targeted structural gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields—sectors where female representation has historically remained limited. By offering a comprehensive support system that spans financial aid, academic enrichment, and career placement, the initiative seeks to dismantle the barriers that often prevent qualified women from entering and advancing in engineering professions.
Coaching Support, Internships, and Employment Opportunities
The university division of the Global Engineer Girls Turkey program has established itself as an inclusive social benefit model, designed to support female students not just financially, but through every stage of their academic and early professional journeys. Over the past decade, the program has provided scholarships and multi-dimensional developmental support to more than 1,800 female engineering students across Turkey. By addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women in STEM, the program ensures that academic potential is matched with real-world readiness.
Rather than offering a simple financial stipend, GEG Turkey has constructed a holistic educational ecosystem. Undergraduate participants receive access to specialized certificate programs designed to bridge the gap between theoretical university curricula and the rapidly evolving demands of the modern industrial sector. These certifications focus on technical competencies as well as essential soft skills, such as leadership, project management, and strategic thinking.
Recognizing the globalized nature of modern engineering, the program also incorporates comprehensive online English language training. This component ensures that participants can confidently navigate international research, collaborate on global projects, and access a wider array of professional opportunities upon graduation.
In addition to language and technical training, the program places a heavy emphasis on personal development through structured mentorship and professional coaching. Students are paired with experienced industry professionals, many of whom are senior engineers and executives within the Limak Group and other partner organizations. These mentors provide invaluable guidance, helping students navigate the complexities of academic life, career planning, and the unique challenges women often face in male-dominated technical environments.
Perhaps the most critical transition point addressed by the program is the leap from higher education into the professional workforce. GEG Turkey actively facilitates this transition by securing internship placements for its participants, offering them hands-on experience in real-world engineering environments. These internships frequently serve as direct pathways to long-term employment. By leveraging its extensive corporate network, the program assists graduates in securing high-quality engineering roles, thereby directly contributing to the growth of qualified female employment in Turkey’s industrial and technological sectors.
To ensure the program’s resources are directed toward students demonstrating both high academic potential and need, the eligibility criteria for the 2026–2027 term are highly specific. The program is open to female undergraduate students currently enrolled in their first, second, or third years of study. Furthermore, applicants must be studying in one of seven core engineering disciplines: computer, environmental, electrical-electronic, civil, industrial, chemical, or mechanical engineering.
To maintain high academic standards, eligibility is also tied to institutional performance. Applicants must be enrolled in Turkish universities that have successfully entered the engineering category of the prestigious University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP) 2025–2026 World Field Rankings. This requirement ensures that the program aligns with top-tier academic institutions capable of providing rigorous scientific training, while the program itself provides the complementary professional skills necessary for industry success.
A Global Movement: From Turkey to the World
What began in 2015 as a localized national initiative in Turkey has, over the past eleven years, evolved into a highly influential international social impact movement. Operating under the global umbrella of "Global Engineer Girls," the program’s proven model of public-private cooperation and structured female empowerment has been exported to multiple countries across three continents.
Today, the initiative actively touches the lives of more than 2,000 young female engineering candidates worldwide. The expansion of Global Engineer Girls reflects a growing recognition that gender disparity in STEM is a global challenge requiring scalable, localized solutions. Currently, the GEG network operates in eight countries, each adapting the core principles of the Turkish model to fit their unique socio-economic and educational landscapes. These countries include Turkey, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Mozambique, the Ivory Coast, and the United Kingdom.
In each of these nations, the program continues to inspire, educate, and equip the next generation of female engineers. By establishing localized networks of female professionals, GEG is not only helping individual students build successful careers but is also fostering a global community of female leaders in technology and infrastructure. The international presence of the program allows for cross-cultural exchange, enabling participants from different countries to share experiences, collaborate on ideas, and build international professional networks that will serve them throughout their careers.
The partnership between the Limak Foundation and the Ministry of Family and Social Services serves as a benchmark for how public institutions and private organizations can collaborate effectively to drive systemic social change. By investing in the education and professional integration of young women, the partners aim to foster economic growth, drive innovation, and ensure that the engineering workforce of the future is diverse, inclusive, and highly skilled.
As the October 8 application deadline approaches, organizers are encouraging eligible female engineering students across Turkey to submit their applications. With its proven track record of transforming academic potential into professional success, the Global Engineer Girls Turkey program remains a cornerstone of the country’s efforts to build a more equitable and prosperous future through the empowerment of women in engineering.
