How policy reforms in national funding schemes shaped scientific productivity: A longitudinal study

This study examines how policy reforms in Turkey’s national research funding system—particularly those implemented by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)—have shaped scientific productivity between 1980 and 2023. Drawing on bibliometric data, policy documents, and time-series analysis, the research evaluates the impact of TUBITAK funding on publication counts, citation performance, and open access trends. Results indicate that the 2005 reform served as a turning point, triggering measurable increases in research output and visibility. However, this momentum was not sustained after 2015, suggesting a need for more inclusive, internationally oriented, and open science-aligned funding strategies. The study offers new insights into the longitudinal effects of national research policy on scientific outcomes and highlights the importance of policy design in maximizing the impact of public research investment.