Being located in Tuzla, southeast of Istanbul, in close proximity to industrial organizations, local governments, SME's and technology zones, the University provides numerous opportunities for industry - university collaborative research, technology development and a commercial outlet for new technologies.

The research activities at the University are carried out in scholarly and applied fields aiming to enrich educational programs while contributing to social and economic development. All research projects are conducted within the Faculties (Faculty of Engineering & Natural Sciences, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences and Graduate School of Management), Centers, and Forums through an interdisciplinary approach between the fields of science, technology and arts.

Since its establisment, many national and international research projects were initiated in cooperation with various national and international institutions. Current research grants and contracts have reached 30 million YTL (approximately 20 million USD / 16 million EUR) where by active contracts constitute 90 percent of this portfolio. Main sources of grants are European Commission, The Scientific and Tehnological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and State Planning Organization (DPT). Our contracts primarily constitute commercial research and industrial R&D activities. Sabancı University also supports early stage research efforts through institutional funding mechanisms.