2026-07-27 11:07:54
Bilkent University to Coordinate 1.5 Million Euro Horizon Europe TWIST Project

The TWIST – TWinning Initiative for Soft Robotics Transition project, coordinated by Bilkent University, has been selected for funding under the Horizon Europe WIDERA Twinning programme. The 36-month project has a total budget of approximately €1.5 million and brings together Bilkent University with four leading European research institutions: the Polymer Competence Center Leoben (PCCL) in Austria, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Italy. TWIST aims to strengthen Bilkent University's scientific excellence, research management capacity, and international visibility in sustainable soft robotics. The project will integrate expertise in sustainable and biodegradable materials, AI-driven generative design, and soft robotic systems designed for deployment in complex and natural environments. A central objective of TWIST is to consolidate the Bilkent Soft Robotics Hub, bringing together complementary expertise in miniature and soft-hybrid robotics, smart materials, computational design, and environmentally responsible robotic technologies. The project will include scientific training programmes, bilateral research visits, two international workshops at Bilkent, an international summer school at EPFL, exploratory joint research, public outreach activities, and training in research and project management. The project is coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Onur Özcan from Bilkent University's Department of Mechanical Engineering. The Bilkent research team also includes Prof. Evren Samur, who will join the Department of Mechanical Engineering in September, and Assoc. Prof. Bilge Baytekin from the Department of Chemistry. Through TWIST, Bilkent University will build lasting research partnerships with leading European institutions, strengthen its capacity to coordinate future international projects, and contribute to the development of sustainable and environmentally responsible soft robotic systems.