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The Science Academy Association (Bilim Akademisi Derneği) is an independent self-governing organization founded on November 25th, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Association, referred to from here on as the Science Academy, is an institution that follows the principles of scientific merit, freedom and integrity,[2] independently from government policies. Bringing together Turkey’s most successful scientists, the self-regulating Science Academy strives to represent and carry the spirit of science. In accordance with its principles, the Science Academy aims to inform the general public and the institutions at large on the impact of scientific research, and, in particular, on the societal implications of its outcomes. As part of its mission, it also brings to public awareness, through conferences, meetings and publications by the experts, issues related to science practices, policies, education and ethics.

Foundation
The Science Academy Association was founded when the Turkish Academy of Sciences (Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi, TÜBA) lost its autonomous status and became an institution of the government following an executive decree published on the Official Gazette on August 27th, 2011 and taking effect on the same day. 52 of the 82 regular members and many honorary and associate members then resigned on the grounds that TÜBA had lost the quality of being an independent academy of science. 17 of the resigned former TÜBA members founded the Science Academy on November 25th, 2011. Joined by many more members of TÜBA from before the 2011 decree, the Science Academy has since proceeded to elect new members based solely on scientific merit.

Members
The Science Academy has presently a total of 144 full members (86 from the fields of natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, 35 from social sciences and humanities, 23 from medical sciences)[3] and 23 honorary members, two of whom are Nobel Laureates (Philip W. Anderson, Physics 1977; Peter A. Diamond, Economics 2010)[4].

Activities
To promote the spirit of research and development, and disseminate knowledge to the public, the Science Academy engages in theollowing activities:
 * Organization of monthly public conferences in Istanbul and Ankara. The presentations and video recordings of these conferences are openly shared on the web page of the association.
 * Investigative reports, prepared by members of the Science Academy and addressing events concerning current economic and scientific developments, are regularly published on the website of the Academy.
 * In cooperation with Bogazici University, the Science Academy also organizes the Feza Gürsey Summer Schools on topics ranging from cosmology to mathematics.
 * The Science Academy Young Scientists Program (BAGEP) provides grants to support financially the research work of promising young scientists and scholars. It is to be noted that it is the first time in Turkey that such a program is being based entirely on donations from private foundations and individuals. 20 young researchers were awarded BAGEP grants in 2013, followed by 43 more  in 2014.