What is TÜBİTAK's DDX+? A guide to digital maturity assessment and support for SMEs in Türkiye

What does the DDX+ digital transformation model from TÜBİTAK TÜSSİDE and Türkiye's Ministry of Industry and Technology measure, how do you apply, and which support programs does the report open up? A step-by-step SME guide based on official TÜBİTAK and KOSGEB documents.

TÜBİTAK's DDX+ digital transformation model is back in the news this week. According to Turkish daily Takvim on October 13, the model was announced on TÜBİTAK's X account and presented as "a report that opens the door to incentives" ^[1]. In this article we checked the claims in that story against official sources: TÜBİTAK TÜSSİDE's DDX+ website and brochure, a TÜSSİDE announcement and KOSGEB's current directives. The result is a genuinely useful roadmap for SMEs, with a few important corrections. This guide walks SMEs through the DDX+ digital maturity assessment process and the support it links to.

What is TÜBİTAK DDX+ and who developed it?

According to a TÜSSİDE announcement from February 2026, the DDX+ Digital Transformation Model was developed by TÜBİTAK TÜSSİDE together with the Ministry of Industry and Technology's General Directorate of National Technology and Artificial Intelligence (MTYZGM). Its goal is to support the digital transformation of Türkiye's manufacturing and service sectors at scale. Bridging training to accredit existing DDX consultants to the new model began on February 12, 2026 ^[4].

As the name suggests, DDX+ is an expanded version of TÜSSİDE's earlier DDX model, which focused on manufacturing SMEs. According to the official brochure, DDX+ is a digital transformation maturity model that applies regardless of company size, with separate versions designed for manufacturing and services ^[3].

What does the DDX+ digital maturity assessment measure?

DDX+ is built on a matrix. One axis has three main dimensions: Leadership (culture, strategy, organization), Resources (infrastructure, finance, people) and Processes. The other axis covers six themes: Technology, Data, Analytics, Cybersecurity, Green Digitalization and Lean ^[2][3]. In other words, the model looks beyond machinery and software to management approach, human resources and sustainability practices.

The number of questions depends on the sector model. According to the DDX+ website, the three service models cover businesses focused on people-material flow and interaction, on material flow, and on information and transaction flow ^[2]:

Each question carries a different weight. Answers are linked to defined criteria and scored on an overall level and a prevalence level. At the end, a digital transformation roadmap is prepared that shows priority actions for each dimension and theme, and how those actions relate to each other ^[2].

How does the process work, step by step?

According to the official website and brochure, the flow for businesses is ^[2][3]:

1. Application: The business registers at ddx.tubitak.gov.tr and fills in a company information form. There is no fixed application window; you can apply at any time of year.
2. Consultant selection: The business browses the DDX+ Consultant Pool by sector, experience, education and city, and sends a request. The match is complete once the consultant accepts.
3. On-site assessment: The consultant assesses the business on site and produces a current-state analysis.
4. Roadmap and report: A DDX+ report is delivered with the maturity level and a prioritized, actionable roadmap.
5. Support programs: The report can be used to apply for relevant support and incentive programs.

One important note: the consultancy fee is agreed between the business and the consultant. According to TÜBİTAK's FAQ, the DDX+ portal is not a party to that arrangement ^[2].

How accurate are the numbers in the news?

The headline figures in the Takvim story (more than 1,000 completed assessments, 240 qualified consultants, field work in 64 provinces) also appear in TÜSSİDE's official brochure ^[1][3]. However, in the brochure these figures sit in the section describing the original DDX model for manufacturing SMEs. It is more accurate to read them as the program's track record to date rather than results of the new DDX+ model.

The official sources also differ from the story on two points:

• The story mentions "20 different manufacturing sub-sectors" ^[1]. The official brochure gives the figure as 28 ^[3].
• The DDX+ website lists the number of active consultants in the pool as "150+ experts". The "20+ sectors" figure on the site refers to the consultants' areas of expertise ^[2].

Which support programs does the report unlock?

According to the brochure, DDX+ is accredited under MTYZGM's Digital Transformation Program and KOSGEB's SME Digital Transformation Support Program ^[3]. The story's emphasis on "grants", however, can be misleading. KOSGEB's current directives (KOSGEB is Türkiye's SME development agency) paint this picture:

YÖNDE support for consultancy costs. KOSGEB's YÖNDE (Guidance and Assessment) Support Program provides non-repayable support for services from digital transformation consultants certified by TÜSSİDE. The cap is TRY 20,000 per consultancy service and TRY 40,000 over the program period. Small and medium-sized businesses in NACE Section C (manufacturing) are eligible; micro businesses are not ^[6].

Interest support for investment. The SME Digital Transformation Support Program is not a grant but an interest subsidy on loans. It provides non-repayable support toward the interest cost of an investment loan from partner banks. The loan floor is TRY 1 million, the ceiling TRY 20 million, and the maximum term 36 months. New machinery, equipment, software and hardware are eligible. The program is also open only to small and medium-sized manufacturers ^[5].

Under the directive, businesses apply with an approved digital transformation/maturity report from an authorized consultant, in line with the strategies recommended in that report. If the report has no validity period, the application must be made within one year of its approval. Applicants also need positive equity in the last fiscal year and an operating profit in at least one of the last three fiscal years ^[5].

At a glance: Two KOSGEB programs

What it means for companies in Türkiye

The real value of DDX+ is that it moves digital investment away from "which software should we buy?" and ties it to a prioritized plan. Including dimensions like leadership, people and cybersecurity gives official backing to the idea that transformation is not just an IT department job ^[2].

The addition of a services model is also notable. A logistics company or a knowledge-intensive service business can now be assessed with a question set that fits its operations rather than one built for manufacturing ^[2]. As of today, though, both KOSGEB programs above are open only to manufacturing (NACE C) SMEs ^[5][6]. Service businesses should check separately which programs they can use the report for.

To see what digital maturity looks like on the shop floor, read our article on KARDEMİR's ISA-95-based Level 3 project. For logistics and service companies, our piece on AI agents in the supply chain is relevant, and for the model's cybersecurity theme, see our AI agent security checklist.

Practical takeaways

1. Check eligibility first. Your NACE code, your size (small or medium, not micro) and your recent equity and operating profit are prerequisites for KOSGEB support ^[5][6].
2. Choose a consultant by sector experience. The pool can be filtered by sector, experience and city ^[2]. Pin down fees and scope in a written contract, because the portal is not a party to the fee arrangement ^[2].
3. Prepare your data. Documenting your current production, inventory, quality, IT infrastructure and cybersecurity practices speeds up the on-site assessment.
4. Link the report to your investment plan. KOSGEB wants applications to be consistent with the strategies in the report ^[5]. Match the roadmap's priorities to your budget calendar.
5. Don't miss the deadline. Put the report's validity period, or the one-year application window, on your calendar ^[5].
6. Track the rules. KOSGEB's directives were revised several times in 2026 ^[5][6]. Check the latest version on KOSGEB's website before you apply.

DDX+ gives digital transformation a measurable starting point. The businesses that benefit most will treat the report not as an "incentive ticket" but as a management tool for setting investment priorities.

Frequently asked questions

What is TÜBİTAK DDX+?

A digital transformation maturity model developed by TÜBİTAK TÜSSİDE together with the Ministry of Industry and Technology's MTYZGM ^[4]. It is independent of company size and designed separately for manufacturing and services ^[3].

When and where do you apply for DDX+?

There is no fixed application period. Businesses can register at ddx.tubitak.gov.tr and fill in the company information form at any time of the year ^[2].

Does the DDX+ digital maturity assessment cost money?

The consultancy fee is agreed between the business and the consultant, and the portal is not a party to that process ^[2]. Small and medium-sized manufacturers can receive non-repayable support of up to TRY 20,000 per service under KOSGEB's YÖNDE program ^[6].

Is the KOSGEB digital transformation support a grant?

No. The SME Digital Transformation Support Program is an interest subsidy on investment loans, not a grant. It is open to small and medium-sized manufacturers and requires an approved digital transformation/maturity report ^[5].

How many questions does the DDX+ assessment have?

The manufacturing model has 78 questions. The service models have between 56 and 60, depending on the type of business ^[2].