The General Secretariat of the Atomic Energy Commission, established in 1956 under Law No. 6821 and affiliated to the Prime Ministry, was reorganised in 1982 under Law No. 2690 as the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) upon being affiliated to the Prime Minister.

The establishment of the Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre (CNAEM), affiliated to the General Secretariat of the Atomic Energy Commission aiming at conducting postgraduate-level professional research, development, applications and training in the nuclear area was completed in 1962. Moreover, Ankara Nuclear Research Centre (ANAEM) began operate in 1967. In 1979, the Nuclear Agriculture Centre was established within the scope of ANAEM.

The Nuclear Agriculture Centre was reorganised in 1999 and continued its activities within the scope of Ankara Nuclear Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Research Centre (ANTHAM) in Saraykoy. On the other hand, Lalahan Animal Health Nuclear Research Institute was established in 1981 and starting from 1999 the organization began operate within ANTHAM in Saraykoy.

ANAEM and ANTHAM within TAEK were merged and re-established under the name of Saraykoy Nuclear Research and Training Centre (SANAEM) upon the of publication of the Council of Ministers' decision dated 13.06. 2005 in the Official Gazette No. 25862 dated 01.07.2005.

The establishment, operation, duties, powers and responsibilities of TAEK which had been organized under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources were redetermined by the Statutory Decree dated 02.07.2018 and No. 703 and the Presidential Decree No. 4 published in the Official Gazette No. dated 15.07.2018 and No. 30479.

The Institution's organisational chart was approved by Ministerial Approval No. 1816 dated 31 07.2018 2018. Accordingly, SANAEM continued its activities as the Department of Radiation and Accelerator Technologies (RHTD), while CNAEM continued its operations as the Department of Technology Development (TGD) and the Department of Radioactive Waste Management (RAYD).

Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK) as a special-budget public legal entity associated with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources was established by the Presidential Decree No. 57 published in the Official Gazette No. 31082 dated 28.03.2020. On the other hand, RHTD Directorate in Ankara and the TGD Directorate in Istanbul were reorganised as the Directorate of the Nuclear Energy Research Institute (NUKEN).

Our Institute's Mission

Our Institute's Vision

Within its fields of activity and in accordance with the Institution's objectives, the working principles, programmes and priority areas which are determined by the Executive Board, and within the context of the powers granted by the President of the Institution; the institution’s duties are as follows:

a) To meet innovation needs, provide researchers with a scientific environment, enable the production of new products and the improvement of existing ones, and cooperate with public bodies and private-law entities for these purposes.

b) To conduct, commission and monitor R&D activities and develop programmes and projects for this purpose.

c) To conduct or commission all research, development, innovation, design, technology acquisition, production, testing and localisation activities to ensure the widespread use of products and technologies developed as a result of R&D activities; to cooperate with public bodies and private-law entities for this purpose and carry out joint projects.

ç) To carry out R&D projects and other scientific and technical studies in cooperation with Ministry units and its affiliated, related and associated bodies on matters where they are required.

d) To conduct and commission research relating to the environment and human health.

e) To conduct research and development activities in Türkiye and abroad within the scope of the Institution's cooperation with national and international institutions and organisations, and to participate on behalf of the Institution in the activities of national and international institutions and organisations.

f) To make scientific contributions to, and participate in, national and international scientific meetings such as congresses and seminars.

g) To carry out work relating to the establishment of the research and development centres, laboratories and similar units required within the Institute, to operate them and to procure the necessary devices and equipment.

ğ) To carry out work relating to the production, installation, maintenance, repair and testing of devices and systems used for radiation measurement.

h) To carry out, together with the relevant organisations, emergency preparedness and response activities to protect the public and the environment from radiation in nuclear and radiological emergencies.

ı) To carry out the activities required for nuclear material accountancy and control.

i) To provide measurement, analysis, dosimetry, calibration, metrology, irradiation, response, technical support, testing, inspection, evaluation, consultancy and other related services.

j) To provide the practice-oriented training required within the scope of the Institute's activities.

k) To carry out other duties assigned by the Executive Board and the President of the Institution.