Pakistan Program for Collaborative Research (PPCR) primarily targets the Faculty of Pakistani Universities and the Faculty Members and Researchers of Foreign Universities.  The experts from foreign universities will be involved in developing curriculum, updating laboratory techniques, and provide guidance to post graduates students in Pakistani universities. Community of foreign experts will be encouraged to develop joint-research programs with local faculty and to provide expertise for the overall development of concerned departments.

Innovative support and encouragement of collaborative research between faculty at Pakistani Universities/Institutions and those abroad, through PPCR research program, will also support the faculty and students at Pakistani Universities. Such foreign visits will also be very useful for Pakistani researcher to conduct certain short experiments/analysis during the research projects which would not be possible to perform in the local institution.

Under PPCR, grant is extended to scholars for short-term visits to the foreign institution taking up joint research studies. Such visits help develop joint research proposals, ready for submission to foreign/international funding agencies. This program also provides the opportunity to foster collaboration between the universities/DAI’s and the academics abroad to advance research, higher education and high tech industry in Pakistan.

General Objectives of the Program:

The purpose of PPCR is to promote the quality academic research in all disciplines in the country by initiating collaboration between faculty members abroad and those in Pakistan which will strengthen the indigenous capacity in academic research and will, in general, raise the overall standard of teaching and research.

Specific Objectives:

In consonance with the general objectives of the program, the specific objectives of different components/activities in quantifiable term are:

a.      Foreign Expert Visit to Pakistan:

1.     To foster collaborative research efforts among the host institute and parent organization by initiating at least one joint research proposal, which should be submitted to foreign/international funding agency for funding. (core objective)

2.     To conduct at least two workshops/seminars during the visit.

3.     To conduct lectures/courses in the host institute.

4.     To train the host institution’s faculty.

5.     To update laboratory techniques and provide guidance to post graduates students.

6.     To assist in curriculum development/course contents.

7.     To participate in policy guidelines and/or standards of education in the host institute.

8.     To develop shared resources.

b.      Foreign Visit of Local Faculty Members:

1.     To develop/initiate at least one joint research proposal in the relevant field for submission to foreign/international funding agency. (core objective)

2.     To establish a linkage between foreign Institute/University and Pakistani University.

3.     To develop collaborative programs with foreign university.

4.     To sign MOU’s/agreements.

5.     To learn, exchange, collaborate and share related information.

6.     To share national and international educational & research activities/ resources.

c.     Short Term (4 months or less) consultant at HEC for PPCR program:

1.     To assist in curriculum development.

2.     To provide consultancy in the specific field, as desired.

3.     To conduct workshops/seminars/symposia etc.

Sr. No	Category	Eligibility Criteria	Financial Assistance
1.	Foreign Experts Visit to Pakistan    Duration: Maximum three Months.	Rector/Dean/Faculty members of Public Sector Universities/ approved for funding Private Sector Universities/Degree Awarding Institutions can apply under PPCR Program. The Faculty Member includes.  ·          Appointed on Tenure Track System (TTS). ·          Engaged through FFHP of HEC. ·          Hired on contract for at least two (2) years	1.     Economy class international return airfare, maximum up to Rs. 125,000/- 2.     Local hospitality up to Rs. 2500/ - per day maximum for 3 months will be paid as remuneration.  3.     Accommodation will be provided by the host university/Institute.
2.	Foreign visit of Local Faculty Members of Public Sector Universities / Degree Awarding Institutions Duration: Maximum one Month.	Faculty Member of Public Sector University/approved for funding Private Sector Universities/Degree Awarding Institution can initiate the proposal through his/her university/institute. The Faculty Member includes.  ·          Appointed on Tenure Track System (TTS). ·          Engaged through FFHP of HEC. ·          Hired on contract for at least two years	1.     Economy class international return airfare, maximum up to Rs. 125,000/- 2.     Daily allowance USD 1500/- or UK₤1000/-or € 1200/- maximum for one months will be paid as remuneration.
3.	Short Term consultant at HEC for PPCR program      Duration: Maximum 4 months or less.	The request can only be moved by the focal person (Head of R&D division) of HEC.	1.     Economy class international return airfare, maximum up to Rs. 125,000/- 2.     Local hospitality up to Rs. 2500/ - per day maximum for 4 months will be paid as allowance/remuneration.   3.     Accommodation will be provided by HEC.

Note: The faculty member in Pakistan, holding a full time position in a public sector university/approved for funding Private Sector Universities/degree awarding institution can submit the application. Application should be submitted in English by registered post or electronic mail on the prescribed form at least three months before the commencement of the proposed activity. There is no deadline for submission of the application. 

Application Procedure for Foreign Expert Visit to Pakistan & Foreign Visit of Local Faculty Members

1.     There is no deadline for submission of the application.

2.     Applicants can apply in more than one component of PPCR program.

3.     Applicants can apply under PPCR program once in one financial year.

4.     Applicants, once availing the PPCR grant will be considered for next grant, only upon provision of the status/outcome of the proposal developed as a result of previous PPCR grant.

5.     The faculty members in Pakistan holding a full-time position with a public sectr university/degree awarding institution can submit the application 3 months prior to the commencement of the proposed activity.

6.     The application should be signed by the Principal Investigator/Focal Host Person/ Local Faculty Member and dully signed by VC/Rector/Head of Institution or his nominee.

7.     Application (two sets) should be submitted in English by registered post & electronic mail (MS word format) on the prescribed application form. The application form can be downloaded from HEC website. 

8.     In case of Foreign Visit of Local Faculty Member, the invitation letter from the Foreign Collaborator must be attached with the application form.

9.     In case of Foreign Expert Visit to Pakistan, the invitation letter from the Principal Investigator and the consent letter/acceptance letter from the foreign expert must be attached with the application form.

10.   For the component, short-term consultant at HEC for PPCR Program, Head of R&D Division, as the focal person, initiates the proposal on prescribed form. An invitation letter from HEC and acceptance letter/consent letter from the consultant must be attached with the application form.

11.   Application, furnished on prescribed application form must reach HEC, at least three months prior to the proposed date of the activity.

12.   Applications meeting the prescribed criteria are sent for peer-review, subsequently it is placed on the agenda of the meeting for consideration & approval of the Management Committee.

13.   Award letter is issued to the successful  applicant. 

14.   For approved cases, funds are released in 2 phases:

a.    1st instalment equivalent to 80% of the total approved amount is released to the applicant, subject to the submission of following documents:

·      A copy of visa,

·      A copy of air ticket.

·      An NOC/study leave for the entire period of foreign visit, approved under this program, from parent department/university.

b.    After completion of foreign visit, the applicant should submit claim for the remaining amount equivalent to 20% along with following documents:

·       Audited expenditure statement.

·       Project comprehensive report duly signed/endorsed by the supervisor, clearly reporting the outcomes of visit in-line with the proposal initially submitted.

·       Copy of joint research proposal along with acknowledgment receipt of the foreign funding agency (on the prescribed form/format of the foreign funding agency). (Core objective of the program)

·       Notification of joining the parent university/department after successful completion of foreign visit. 

·       Copy of used air ticket along with boarding cards.

Preference will be given to those faculty members who have teaching/research experience.

Foreign Expert Visit to Pakistan:

·          The duration of visit of Foreign Expert should be minimum of two weeks and maximum of 12 weeks.

·          Foreign Expert have to conduct/teach a course/part of course at Pakistani University.

·          The Foreign Expert must have minimum 10 years of relevant experience in his field of specialization.

·          Assignment will be discussed in advance with the Foreign Expert before his/her joining by the host university itself.

Foreign Visit of Local Faculty Member:

·          The duration of visit of local faculty member to foreign should be minimum of two weeks and maximum of 4 weeks.

·          The applicant must develop a joint research proposal and submit for funding to any funding agency after the visit.

·          A copy of joint research proposal must be submitted to HEC.

·          A foreign PhD degree holder can visit the same foreign university under PPCR, after one (01) year of completion of the PhD. 

Consultant at HEC:

·          For short term consultant at HEC for PPCR Program, the request can only be moved by the focal person (Head of R&D division) of HEC.

·          The duration of visit of Consultant should be minimum of two weeks and maximum of 12 weeks.