HEC Opens Applications for Six-Month Foreign Scholarship
News Desk
Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited applications for a six-month foreign research scholarship for Pakistani and Azad Jammu & Kashmir students enrolled in full-time PhD programmes at recognized universities in Pakistan.
The fellowship is being offered under the International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP), which enables selected PhD scholars to conduct research and receive training at universities and research institutions abroad.
Applications for Batch 60 will remain open from October 1 to October 30, 2026.
The HEC says the initiative is designed to improve the quality of doctoral research in Pakistan, develop highly trained researchers and promote the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge to the country.
Under the programme, scholars will have opportunities to access advanced research laboratories, work with foreign scientists and establish academic and research linkages between Pakistani and international institutions.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to citizens of Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir who are pursuing full-time PhD studies at recognized Pakistani universities.
Applicants must have:
Completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework.
Completed at least 18 months since admission to the PhD programme.
Been enrolled in the PhD programme for no more than three and a half years at the time of application.
For Batch 60, been admitted to the PhD programme between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025.
Passed either the GAT Subject Test or the relevant university admission test at the time of PhD admission.
Obtained approval of their PhD research topic and synopsis from the relevant university authority.
Foreign Research Requirement
Applicants must secure formal acceptance from a foreign university or research institution before applying.
The host institution must be located in a developed country and should have a high ranking either overall or in the relevant academic discipline under the Times Higher Education or QS World University Rankings.
The proposed foreign supervisor must be a full-time faculty member with a rank of at least Assistant Professor.
The HEC has also placed restrictions on supervisor selection. The foreign supervisor cannot be the former supervisor of the applicant’s local PhD supervisor. Moreover, if two or more applicants are working under the same local supervisor, they must select different foreign supervisors or different foreign universities.
Students already receiving another HEC scholarship can also apply, but they must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant HEC officer.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit an official acceptance or invitation letter from the foreign university, research institution or laboratory along with the application.
Other required documents include:
HEC form signed by the proposed foreign supervisor.
Latest CV of the foreign supervisor.
Evidence that the foreign supervisor holds at least the rank of Assistant Professor.
Approval of the PhD research topic and synopsis.
Complete approved research synopsis.
Recommendation letter from the local PhD supervisor.
CV of the local PhD supervisor.
HEC NOC, where applicable.
Departmental or institutional NOC for employees or students on study leave.
Applicant’s latest CV.
Valid passport or passport token slip.
Academic transcripts from bachelor’s degree onwards.
PhD coursework transcript showing courses, credit hours and grades.
Proof of the GAT Subject Test or university admission test taken at the time of PhD admission.
Requirements for Foreign Acceptance Letter
The HEC has specified that the acceptance letter must be issued by the Head of Department, Senior Professor or Associate Professor of the host institution.
Letters issued by lecturers, laboratory instructors or experts will not be accepted.
The acceptance letter must provide details about the proposed research, available research facilities, planned activities, duration of the research visit and any applicable bench fees.
It must also mention the terms and conditions of the invitation, where applicable, and provide the foreign professor’s complete address and contact information.
The proposed foreign supervisor must also complete the relevant HEC proforma along with the acceptance letter.
Application Deadline
The HEC has advised eligible students to apply through its online scholarship portal and carefully complete the application and upload all required documents before the deadline.
Only applications showing “Submitted” status will be considered. Applications left in “Saved” status will be treated as incomplete and will not be processed.
Selected scholars will be required to sign a bond with the HEC committing them to return to Pakistan and complete their PhD at their parent university.
The fellowship must be availed within six months of the issuance of the award letter, or within any other period specified by the HEC.
