To stimulate research and development activities in public sector Universities in Pakistan.

To create a critical mass of highly qualified human resources in all fields taught at the advanced level in the world. These locally qualified academics and researchers will improve the R&D potential of our teaching and research Institutions and the training potentials of our Universities (public as well as private) and feed the industrial sector.

To promote M.Phil/M.S (Engr) and Ph.D. courses and research work in all fields. These M.Phil, M.S. (Engr) and Ph.D. students will work on problems of interest to Pakistan and will address social and economical problems critical to the development of Pakistan.

The specific objective is to give scholarships to a total of 5000 students in five batches. 1000 Ph.D scholars in the first year as batch-I, starting from September 2003. These students will initially be enrolled in the respective M.Phil/M.S (Engr) programs at the Universities and will subsequently become Ph.D. scholars. Four batches of Ph.D students will follow in subsequent four years.

1.    Candidate should have a degree with minimum 16 years of education and no 3rd  Division or Grade ”D” in his/her career.

2.    Must not be availing any other scholarship simultaneously.

3.    Maximum age on closing date of application is 35 years, except for people working on regular basis in public sector whose maximum age is 40 years.

4.    The Scholar will have to be a full-time student to avail the scholarship. Those who are employed have to arrange study leave for the full duration of the program.

5.    Scholars must qualify the local   GRE (general) type test held by NTS (50% Marks).

6.    Must be conducting studies under the supervision of an HEC Approved PhD supervisor

Conversion of GPA into grades/division: 

Formula for conversion of GPA into percentage of marks/divisions on the scale of 4.00  

Grade	% Marks	GPA	Division
A	80-100	3.30-4.00	Distinction
B	65-79	2.50-3.29	1st Division
C	50-64	1.80-2.49	2nd Division
D	40-49	1.00-1,79	3rd Division
F	Below 40	0.00-099	Fail

Formula for conversion of GPA into percentage of marks/divisions on the scale of 5.00

Grade	% Marks	GPA	Division
A	80-100	4.30-5.00	Distinction
B	65-79	3.50-4.29	1st Division
C	50-64	2.80-3.49	2nd Division
D	40-49	2.00-2.79	3rd Division
F	Below 40	1.00-1.99	Fail

Formula for conversion of GPA into percentage of marks/divisions on the scale of 6.00

Grade	% Marks	GPA	Division
A	80-100	5.30-6.00	Distinction

Scheme is closed for fresh intake.For fresh intake Higher Edcuation Commision invites application through national newspapers as well as HEC website.

Scholarships are generally offerd in following two categories.

 Category-A: Already Enrolled Scholars in PhD Program only

a.    Must be a full-time PhD Student in a Department/Institute which fulfills the HEC Quality Criteria for MS/M.Phil/PhD level studies and should have a minimum of 03 PhD faculty members out of them at least 02 must be HEC Approved Supervisors.

b.    Must be conducting studies under the Supervision of an HEC Approved PhD Supervisor and the number of PhD students enrolled with that supervisor should be below the maximum as specified by the HEC. List of HEC approved supervisors available at http://www.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/HRD/ApprovedPhDSupervisors/Pages/ListofSupervisor.aspx  

c.    Must have passed the entry test (GRE type) of the relevant university for PhD program scoring 50% or above marks. (see details at HEC website)

d.    Should meet the “Basic Eligibility Criteria”.

  Category-B: Fresh Enrollment in MS/M.Phil/PhD Program

a.    Scholarships will be offered to those candidates who will subsequently secure their Admission in MS/M.Phil/PhD in the Universities/Departments fulfilling the HEC quality criteria for MS/M.Phil/PhD level studies.   

b.    Must fulfill the “Basic Eligibility Criteria”.

c.    It is the responsibility of applicant to provide the valid admission in MS/MPhil leading to PhD program in a department of HEC recognized university which has adopted and implemented the HEC Quality Criteria for MS/MPhil and PhD level studies. In case of failure HEC reserve the right to withdraw/cancel scholarship without any further notice.

Application Procedure

a)    Prospective candidates should fill-in online application form available at HEC Website and post the printed copy along with the pre-requisite documents at the address given below, along with a Online BANK Deposit Slip of Rs. 300/- (non- refundable) in favor of the   Director General Finance, Higher Education Commission, H-9, Islamabad on  A/C No. 01120050011901, HBL Aabpara Branch Islamabad as processing fee.   

b)    No application having incomplete information will be entertained/processed without appropriate FEE receipt, NTS GAT Score Card (50 or above marks) and received after closing date.  

d)   Online application forms submitted for relevant advertisement are entertained

General Documents required with indigenous  application form.

1. NOC from employer, if in service.

2. Attested photocopies of all educational testimonials.(Matric\Inter from IBCC, graduation to onward from HEC.

3. Attested photocopy of CNIC.

4. Original deposit slip .

5. Consent of HEC approved supervisor duly verified and stamped on official letter head for already enrolled PhD applicants.

6. Department and supervisor profile (format available at www.hec.gov.pk) for already enrolled Ph.D applicants

7. Admission letter for Ph. D. applicants before last date of submission.

Financial Support 

Local GRE and Fee Information 

Remittance Form

Subject  List

Academic Progress & Fund utilization Report Format

Change of University Criteria

Quality Assurance in Ph.D Program Notifications

The following are the terms & conditions for award of Indigenous Ph.D 5000 fellowship and the acceptance of the award is an acknowledgement of these obligations:

1. An awardee will not change the course of study specified by the awardee on the application form or in the letter of award without obtaining prior approval of the Higher Education Commission. 
2. An awardee is not to hold any other scholarship/stipend during the fellowship period of his/her study. 
3. Fresh awardee must take/get admission in the department/universities mentioned in the list of universities
4. Already enrolled scholars in PhD program must be a full time PhD student in a Department/Institute which has a minimum of 03 Ph.D faculty members out of which at least 02 are HEC Approved Supervisors and must be conducting studies under the Supervision of an HEC Approved PhD Supervisor and the number of PhD students enrolled with that supervisor is below the maximum as specified by the HEC. 
5. The awardee must be supervised by an HEC approved supervisor. 
6. Number of PhD scholars must not exceed more than 5 (five) under the supervision of one (1) HEC approved supervisor. 
7. Change of university/institute at any stage of study is not encouraged but due to unavoidable circumstances will only be admissible giving logical justification for prior approval of the Higher Education Commission. 
8. An awardee would obtain Study leave from his employer to join the institution of his study on full-time basis. This is mandatory. 
9. An awardee has to execute a bond with the HEC/Government of Pakistan to serve in the country for 5 years after completion of study, preferably in an Institution of Higher Education.
10. An awardee shall sign an agreement with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on non-judicial paper (stamp paper) to the effect that in case the awardee fails to complete his/her study, he/she will refund to the HEC the total amount spent on his/her studies by the HEC. The format of the agreement is available at Annex-I. 
11. In addition, a personal guarantee of a person of means on non-judicial (stamp) paper to the effect of ensuring the recovery in case of default would need to be furnished available at (Annex- II and Annex-III)
12. The Higher Education Commission would monitor the Academic progress/performance of the Awardee on quarterly basis and the financial utilization six monthly bases.

Note: - Every page of Annex-I, Annex-II and Annex-III should be on non-judicial (Stamp Paper) - value of paper is in accordance to the local provincial law & should be type on one side of page, contents on simple paper are not acceptable.

  

Sr. No.	Description	Rates
a.	Scholar’s stipend.	Rs. 10,000 per month in MS/MPhil  Rs. 13,000 per month in PhD
b.	Support to University for tuition fee, reference books, back volumes, chemical abstracts, stationery, software, internet etc.	Rs.75,000/ per year
c.	Support to University for laboratory/workshop equipment, lab material, consumables and supplies etc.	Rs. 75,000/- per year Only in PhD Sciences Subjects
d.	Book allowance (for scholar)	Rs.5,000/- per year
e.	Thesis evaluation from abroad charges on completion.	Rs. 18,000/- once during the award period.
f.	Thesis charges to scholar in last year.	Rs.5,000/- once at time of completion of study.

Note: - The new revised rates/policies would be implemented form January 01, 2008 to all and amount will be adjusted accordingly.

Ans.     No, if the D Grade is mentioned on his certificates/degree, because we accept the grade/division what ever is written on certificate/degree by the   respective board/university

Q: -      Can an overage person apply for the scheme

 Ans.     No, as per approved PC-1, there is no possibility of age relaxation in any case. 

Q: -      Can employee apply for the Indigenous Program without informing their parent department?

Ans.     The scholar has to apply through proper channel, however, the advance copy of the application can be forwarded to HEC.

Q: -         Do scholar need to send the study leave with the application?

Ans.       No, they can apply without study leave, but the same would be needed for final award of fellowship.  

Q:-      From which dates the scholarships will be applicable.

Ans.     The scholarship would be awarded/applicable from the date of approval of award from National Scholarship Management Committee (NSMC) or the date of provision of study leave/releiving order which ever is later.   

Q: -      Can a person take 2 scholarships at a time  

Ans.     No, only one Govt. Scholarship can be obtained at a time.

Q:-       Can a scholars work/undertake any employment with HEC scholarship  

Ans.     No, the scholar has to be a full time student and he/she can not undertake any job, in case of employee he/she has to be on study leave for the period of his/her studies

Q:-       Can a scholar quit his/her studies before completion of studies?

 Ans.     No. the scholarship is meant for PhD studies, and scholars are supposed to complete their respective PhD Programs

Q:-       Can a scholar freeze a semester?

 Ans.     No, semester freezing is not allowed. The request can be considered only on Medical Grounds

 Q:-       What are the terms and conditions of award?

 Ans.     a) An awardee will not change the course of study specified by the awardee on the application form or in the letter of award without obtaining prior approval of the Higher Education Commission. 

 b) Fresh awardee must take/get admission in the department/universities mentioned in the list of universities

d) Already enrolled scholars in PhD program must be a regular PhD student in a Department/Institute and must be conducting studies under the Supervision of an HEC Approved PhD Supervisor and the number of PhD students enrolled with that supervisor is below the maximum as specified by the HEC.

 e) Change of university/institute at any stage of study is not encouraged but due to unavoidable circumstances will only be admissible giving logical justification for prior approval of the Higher Education Commission and follow the HEC SOP for change of university.

 f) An awardee would obtain Study leave from his employer to join the institution of his   study on full-time basis. This is mandatory. 

 g) An awardee has to execute a bond with the HEC/Government of Pakistan to serve in the country for 5 years after completion of study, preferably in an Institution of Higher Education.

 h) An awardee shall sign an agreement with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on non-judicial paper (stamp paper) to the effect that in case the awardee fails to complete his/her study, he/she will refund to the HEC the total amount spent on his/her studies by the HEC. The format of the agreement is available at Annex-I. 

 i) In addition, a personal guarantee of a person of means on non-judicial (stamp) paper to the effect of ensuring the recovery in case of default would need to be furnished available at (Annex- II and Annex-III)

 j) The Higher Education Commission would monitor the Academic progress/performance of the Awardee on quarterly basis and the financial utilization six monthly bases