The topic of the first Research Award in 2006 was "Turkey's New Geopolitical Environment: Policy Challenges and Opportunities for Engagement." A seven-member international jury reviewed all essays. The winner was Lerna K. Yanık from Bilkent University's Department of Political Science for her essay on "Beyond 'Bridges,' 'Crossroads' and 'Buffer Zones': Defining a New International Role for Turkey."

The topic for the 2007 award competition was "Perceptions of the Ottoman Legacy in the Balkans and the Middle East". A nine-member international jury reviewed all essays. The first prize went to Dr. Christine Philliou, from Columbia University's History Department, for her essay on "The Paradox of Perceptions: Interpreting the Ottoman Past through the National Present". 

In 2008, the topic of the competition was "The Ottoman Legacy for Contemporary Turkish Culture, Institutions, and Values". Participants studied the reflections of the Ottoman heritage on the culture, institutions and values of contemporary Turkey. The first prize went to Amy Singer, professor of Ottoman History in the Department of Middle Eastern and African History at Tel Aviv University, with her essay, "The Persistence of Philanthropy".

The topic for the 2009 award competition was “Pluralism in Contemporary Turkish Society and Politics”. The fourth Sakıp Sabancı International Research Awardswere given at a ceremony held on Tuesday, May 26th, at Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum - the Seed.  The ceremony was hosted by Güler Sabancı, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and President Professor Tosun Terzioğlu.  The winner of the first prize was the young researcher from the University of Vermont, Kabir Tambar.

The topic for the 2010 award was "Multiculturalism in the Governance of the European Union and Turkish Accession". Participants studied the issues and challenges that multiculturalism presents for the governance of the European Union. In particular, the authors assessed the benefits and contributions of Turkey’s accession to the EU’s governance in meeting these challenges. The fifth Sakıp Sabancı International Research Awards were given at a ceremony held on Tuesday, June 8th, at Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum - the Seed.  The ceremony was hosted by Güler Sabancı, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and President Professor A. Nihat Berker.  The winner of the first prize was Juliette Tolay from University of Delaware.

The topic for the 2011 award was "New Directions for Turkish Foreign Policy in a Changing World Order: Challenges and Opportunities".