Feza Gursey is best known for his work in SU(6), chiral Lagrangians and exceptional Lie groups which were important milestones in theoretical physics. But it was also an integral part of his life to stimulate research by young men and women of his native country, Turkey. Almost single-handedly, he was able to bring young Turkish physicists and mathematicians in close contact with the best researchers in the international scientific community. To this end he invited many prominent scientists and introduced them to his students. The stimulating atmosphere created by the lectures of these distinguished visitors has produced a generation of theoretical physicists in Turkey who were given a chance to work on important problems and make meaningful contributions. Recognizing Feza Gursey's work, the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council, TUBITAK, has decided that his model for increasing the scientific output of Turkey should continue on an institutional basis after his death.

The principal activity of the Institute named after Feza Gursey will consist of research semesters. The idea for this is based on the lessons learned from his activities in this area. Historically, Feza Gursey Institute is a continuation of the Reseach Institute for Basic Sciences that Erdal Inonu founded in 1983. The biology department of this Institute has undergone a spectacular rise, and with this new program it is hoped that its physics and mathematics departments will experience a similar increase in scientific activity.