The Project Contest, organized as part of the GRAND BLACK SEA FORUM to be held in Trabzon between 10-12 December 2025, hosted by Karadeniz Technical University, invites students, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers to present forward-looking solutions that address challenges in the Black Sea basin.
The Project Contest will be implemented as part of the project entitled ‘T3N-BSB Transnational Technology Transfer Network for the Black Sea Basin’ which is funded within Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme and led by the Karadeniz Technical University Technology Transfer Application and Research Centre (KTU TTC) with the partnership of the “Centre for Research and Technology Hellas” (CERTH) from Greece, the “Bulgarian Association for Transfer of Technology and Innovation” (BATTI) from Bulgaria and the “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati (UDJG) from Romania.
We’re looking for impact-driven projects especially in the fields of:
- Blue Economy
- Climate Change & Adaptation
- Low-Carbon & Clean Energy Solutions
Whether it’s a prototype, a research-based idea, a policy suggestion, or a business concept — if your project can create positive change for the Black Sea, we are pleased to receive your application.
Who Can Apply?
The contest is open to:
- University students (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
- Researchers and academic teams
- Startups and entrepreneurs
- Individual innovators and professionals
- Companies, clusters and business support organisations
Collaborative or cross-border teams are strongly encouraged.
Why Participate?
- Gain regional visibility for your work
- Pitch your project to experts, stakeholders, and investors
- Win awards and funding opportunities
- Connect with partners across the Black Sea region
- Contribute to real-world change
Applications for the project contest, which will remain open until 21 November 2025, will be pre-evaluated, and those that successfully pass the pre-evaluation will be exhibited between 10-12 December 2025.
During the exhibitions, the finalist projects will also be evaluated by an objective jury composed of members from industry and academia and will be subject to a final assessment. Various awards will be given to the projects that make the final cut.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 21.11.2025
- Finalist Announcement: 28.11.2025
- Final Presentations: 10-12.12.2025 @GRAND BLACK SEA FORUM
Need help or have questions? Contact us at ktutto@ktu.edu.tr
Ready to make waves in the Black Sea?
Apply now and be part of the transformation.
Let your project lead the way toward a more sustainable, and innovative Black Sea region.
Other highlights
- Travel expenses up to 3,000 TL and daily accommodation expenses up to 1,000 TL (maximum 3 nights) will be covered for individuals applying from outside the city or from another country whose projects are selected for exhibition.
- Transportation costs to be covered: Economy class travel by plane, train, bus, or ship for domestic and international travel, provided that receipts or other supporting documents are submitted.
- Only one person from the same project team will have their expenses covered. However, multiple individuals are free to participate at their own expense.
- Participation in the project contest is possible as a team. One participant must be designated as the project leader to represent the project team, and the project team must consist of no more than five people, including the leader.
- At least one member of the project team must be present with their project during the event for evaluation purposes.
- Although project teams are encouraged to exhibit their projects as prototypes, those who do not yet have a ready prototype can still participate by presenting a poster.
- Project owners who have been invited to participate in the exhibition must prepare their posters in 80 x 100 cm dimensions using the poster template available at the link below and display their projects with this poster during the event.
Poster Template
- This poster design has been prepared as an example. Provided that they comply with the content and use existing institutional logos, project teams may also create different designs. Having different designs will add an extra colour to the poster presentation hall.
- Those who wish to do so may prepare videos, etc. about their projects and add QR codes to their posters. You may contact our office for support (ktutto@ktu.edu.tr).
- Participants in the Project Contest, organised as part of the Grand Black Sea Forum event, can access the event's general programme schedule via the following link:
Grand Black Sea Forum (Grand Black Sea Forum) Event Programme
Details for: Grand Black Sea Forum
