Applications are now open for the First DTCH Digital Turcologist Bootcamp 2026, organised by Digital Turcology and Cultural Heritage (DTCH) with support from the NeurIPS Foundation Bridging the Future Grant.
Running online from 21 September to 11 December 2026 and delivered predominantly asynchronously, the programme is based on the first interdisciplinary educational model developed in response to the types of data used and research problems encountered in Turcology research, and constitutes the model's 2026 pilot implementation.
Programme Aims
The programme has three principal aims:
— To enhance the methodological visibility of Turcology research, which remains underrepresented in artificial intelligence, digital humanities and digital cultural heritage studies, thereby laying the groundwork for the development of shared concepts, methods and assessment criteria for Digital Turcology.
— To support the more visible, rigorous, context-sensitive and responsible representation of data relating to the languages, literatures, histories, folklore and cultural heritage of the Turkic world in digital research and artificial intelligence applications; and, in this context, to build the expertise and research capacity required to establish the as a specialist profile.
— To propose a shared educational perspective for Turcology departments, programmes and research units; to reduce fragmentation among educational approaches in digital humanities, cultural heritage technologies and artificial intelligence; and to create an accessible, participatory and sustainable learning environment.
The programme will bring together digital humanities, cultural heritage data science, natural language processing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, AI ethics and responsible AI. It aims to equip participants with the skills required to develop evidence-based, reliable, explainable, reproducible and reusable research outputs by drawing on data used in Turcology research.
Academic and Methodological Background
The DTCH Digital Turcologist Bootcamp is based on the first interdisciplinary educational model developed specifically in response to the types of data, methodological requirements and research questions encountered in Turcology research.
The programme's educational framework draws on methodological experience gained through 51 research and practice-based case studies conducted over four years using materials relevant to Turcology research. These studies cover complementary areas including digital philology, digital literary studies, digital folklore, cultural heritage data science, natural language processing, machine learning, computer vision, AI ethics, responsible AI, AI policy in language technologies, digital metalexicography and digital terminology.
Developed on the basis of the conceptual and methodological framework of Digital Turcology and Cultural Heritage, the educational model incorporates current advances in digital humanities, artificial intelligence and cultural heritage technologies. Its methodological approach is grounded in human oversight, evidence-based verification, research integrity, explainability, traceability, reusability, reproducibility and ethical responsibility.
The educational model has been designed to accommodate the different types of data, historical periods and research areas encountered in Turcology research, to be scaled across different contexts and to be further developed in light of research findings.
Focus of the 2026 Pilot Programme
The educational model underpinning the DTCH Digital Turcologist Bootcamp has been designed as a broad framework capable of encompassing research in Digital Turcology and Cultural Heritage.
The 2026 pilot programme will focus on historical Turkic languages, historical texts and associated cultural heritage data. The core teaching examples and practical case studies used in the programme will be selected in accordance with this focus.
About the Programme
The DTCH Digital Turcologist Bootcamp does not rely solely on video-based learning or the transmission of theoretical knowledge.
Participants will work through online learning materials and practical activities, delivered predominantly asynchronously, within their own study schedules. They will complete weekly assignments and receive feedback from instructors.
Building on the research idea submitted with their application, participants will draw on the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme and apply them within their own fields of study to develop a pilot project or research output.
The first eight weeks will focus on core instruction and practical work, while the final four weeks will concentrate on project development and the production of research outputs. Online clinics, laboratory sessions and feedback sessions will be held throughout the programme. The programme will conclude with an online Demo Day, during which participants will present the pilot projects or research outputs they have developed.
Applicants are not required to have prior knowledge of digital humanities, data science, Python, machine learning or natural language processing. Appropriate technical guidance will be provided during the programme.
The detailed curriculum, weekly study schedule, assignments, assessment criteria and submission requirements will be shared with accepted participants.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants at any of the following academic stages are eligible to apply:
— Final-year undergraduate students and graduates
— Master's students and graduates
— Doctoral students
— Researchers who completed their doctorate within the three years preceding the application date
Applications will be accepted primarily from the following fields:
— Turkish Language and Literature
— Contemporary Turkic Languages and Literatures
— Turkish Linguistics
— Folklore Studies
— History
— History of Science
— Art History
— Cultural Heritage
— Manuscript and Archival Studies
— Information and Records Management
Applicants from other disciplines are expected to demonstrate a clear and concrete connection between their own field and Turcology research or cultural heritage data.
International Participation and Language of Instruction
The programme is open to applicants worldwide.
Turkish will be used for instruction, communication, assignment submission and assessment. International applicants whose first language is not Turkish are expected to have sufficient proficiency to follow the learning materials, complete written assignments and carry out their project work in Turkish.
Applicants' proficiency in Turkish will be assessed on the basis of the written responses provided in the application form.
Application and Assessment
Applications will be accepted exclusively through the online application form. No interviews will be conducted as part of the application process.
Research Idea at the Application Stage
Applicants will be asked to provide a brief description of the research idea they would like to explore during the programme.
At the application stage, applicants are not expected to submit a fully developed project design, specify a technical method or have an existing or fully prepared dataset. It is sufficient to describe the research question, problem or topic area they wish to explore, together with the data or materials they are considering using.
The proposed research idea should be meaningful within the context of Digital Turcology research, demonstrate a clear connection with the programme's interdisciplinary methodological framework and align with the focus of the 2026 pilot programme.
Assessment will take into account applicants' reasons for applying, the relationship between their field of study and the programme, their ability to commit to regular participation and the alignment of their proposed research idea with the scope of the programme and the focus of the 2026 pilot.
Application results will be sent to the email addresses provided by applicants in the application form.
Participation Expectations
Accepted participants will be expected to:
— Work through the weekly asynchronous learning materials and complete the practical activities as required;
— Attend the online clinics, laboratory sessions and feedback sessions regularly;
— Submit assigned work by the stated deadlines;
— Take account of feedback from instructors;
— Adhere to the programme's principles of research ethics, AI ethics and responsible AI;
— Transparently document the data, methods, sources and AI tools they use;
— Progressively develop a pilot project or research output based on the research idea submitted with their application.
The programme is structured around regular practical work, the completion of assignments, instructor feedback, evidence-based verification and progressive project development.
Certificate of Participation and Certificate of Achievement
Participants who fulfil the programme's participation and completion requirements will receive a DTCH Digital Turcologist Bootcamp 2026 Certificate of Participation.
Participants who also meet the achievement criteria established for the weekly assignments and final project will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement.
The certificates will bear the DTCH and NeurIPS logos.
Programme Schedule
Educational Methodology and Intellectual Property Rights
© 2026 DTCH. Educational methodology and design: Assoc. Prof. Dr Şermin Kalafat.