Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is offering a six month research fellowship abroad to full time PhD students enrolled in Pakistan to enhance their research capabilities. The objectives of the program are:

• To enhance the quality of doctoral research in Pakistan.
• To create a critical mass of highly qualified manpower that could contribute towards the development of Pakistan.
• To facilitate assimilation, absorption and transfer of important and promising scientific and technological knowledge information to achieve repaid economic progress.
• To provide opportunities to doctoral students for training/ research work at advanced research labs of reputed universities abroad and to interact with foreign scientist working at frontiers of knowledge.
• To explore avenues for further collaboration internationally.
• To introduce Pakistani talent globally.
• To disseminate information about research in Pakistan.
• To bring standard of doctoral research at par with international standards.

How to report on your return?

Following documents are to be submitted on your return to Pakistan after completion of visit:

1- Filled copy of IRSIP Feedback Performa (download form).

2- Report by your foreign supervisor on your six months work.

3- Joining report at your local university through your local PhD supervisor.

4- Comments of your local PhD supervisor on your visit.

5- Copies of passport information page and pages stamped with exit from and entry to Pakistan. 

Fellowship Package

• Economy class returns airfare up to Rs 115,000.00.

Living allowance:

• Living allowance for different countries: 

Bench Fee:

•   Maximum amount of bench fee allowed per scheme in different currencies are given in the following table.

 The bench fee will be paid to the University directly via wire transfer against the invoice of the amount as mentioned in the offer/invitation letter.

• Selected candidates will be required to enter into a bond with HEC to return and complete their PhD studies at their parent universities. (Click here to download specimen)
  
• Selected candidates will have to avail the scholarship within six month from the date of issue of award letter or before any such date as specified by HEC.

1. Is there any last date or deadline for submission of applications?
   
   There is no deadline or last date for submission of applications. Applicants can apply whole long the year as soon as they fulfill basic requirements of the scholarship.
    
2. How much time HEC requires for application processing and selection process?
   
   It takes round about a month and a half to process the applications and declare results. Usually time span of 15-20 days is given to selected applicants to submit the required documents such as surety bond, bench fee invoice, university account information etc. Following this, final award letters are issued.
    
3. How selection will be made?
   
   HEC has established a Selection Committee for the selection of scholars under the scheme. The Committee consists of HEC officials, former VCs of known universities and prominent Researchers/ Professors of international repute from Pakistan. The Committee meeting is scheduled monthly to consider the pending cases.
    
4. Will HEC coordinate visa endorsement process for the selected scholars?
   
   HEC will only provide award letter stating the financial support and other terms & conditions of the award. Scholars can use this as supporting document to apply for visa.
    
5. Will HEC pay visa fee?
   
   HEC do not provide any amounts such as visa application fee, health insurance fee etc.
    
6. How funds will be released?
• No funds can be released in favor of the scholar before visa endorsement.
• Two month advance stipend is provided to the scholar in the form of Cross Cheque before leaving. Remaining four month stipend will be paid to the scholar through respective Pakistan High Commission/ Embassy.
• However, scholars proceeding to USA will be provided six month stipend in advance before they leave. These will submit us their joining report through their foreign supervisor.
• Bench/ tuition fees will be directly paid to the foreign university against an invoice raised by the university. Any amount over and above the fellowship package will be covered by the scholar himself. 
•  Air travel cost will be paid to the Travel Agency directly.
   

7. How much time HEC requires to release funds? 

• Advance stipend & ticket                  2-3 weeks

• Four month stipend                         4-5 Weeks

• Bench fee                                      4-5 Weeks
   

8. What are the progress report requirements of HEC?

   Scholars will be required to submit progress report on their research work on Performa as prescribed by HEC. This report could be asked every two months, three months or at end of the research project as specified by HEC.

   However, at the end of the project every scholar is required to submit detailed report on the six month work through foreign supervisor along with copies of research papers produced.
    
9. Can a PhD student avail the scholarship twice?
   
   No PhD student can avail the scholarship for the second time.