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.

The Higher Education Commission has launched HEC-APPNA MERIT Visiting Expert Program, under which, trained medical professionals from America would be invited to Pakistani Medical Universities. These endeavors would help build capacity of the local healthcare professionals, through providing exposure to state-of-the-art medical education and training.

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.

d.      HEC-APPNA Merit Visiting Expert Program:

1.      To improve the quality of medical education in Pakistani Medical Universities.

2.      To impart training on the state-of-the-art equipment.

3.      To develop and improve the skills of medical/healthcare professionals/ researchers.

4.      Capacity building and professional development of medical/healthcare professionals/researchers.

5.      To assist in MBBS curriculum development/revision.

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	Economy class international return airfare, maximum up to Rs. 125,000/- Local hospitality up to Rs. 2500/ - per day maximum for 3 months will be paid as emuneration.  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	Economy class international return airfare, maximum up to Rs. 125,000/- 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.	Economy class international return airfare, maximum up to Rs. 125,000/- Local hospitality up to Rs. 2500/ - per day maximum for 4 months will be paid as allowance/remuneration.   Accommodation will be provided by HEC.
4.	HEC-APPNA MERIT Expert Visit to Pakistan	Rector/Dean/Faculty members of Public Sector/approved for funding Private Sector Medical Universities can initiate the application.	Economy class return airfare (maximum up to Rs. 135,000/-), and remuneration @ Rs. 25,000/- per week will be paid through the host university. A token amount up-to a maximum of Rs. 50,000/- will be provided by HEC for the expenses for holding seminar.

Note: The faculty member in Pakistan, holding a full time position ina 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 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, qualifying which the application(s) are placed on agenda for consideration of the Management Committee.
13. Award letter is issued for cases approved by the Management Committee.
14. For approved cases, funds are released in 2 phases:
1. 1^st installment amounting to 80% of the total approved amount is released to applicant, subject to the submission of following documents:
• A copy of visa
• Submission of the copy of air ticket.
• An NOC/study leave for the entire period of foreign visit, approved under this program, from parent department/university.
2. After completion of foreign visit, remaining amount of 20% is released subject to the submission of the following documents:

• Project comprehensive report by the applicant (duly signed/endorsed by the Supervisor) clearly reporting the outcomes of visit in-line with the proposal initially submitted.
• Copy of joint research proposal (on prescribed form/format of the indicated funding agency) developed as a result of the visit, ready for submission to foreign/international funding agency.
• Notification of joining the parent university/department after successful completion of foreign visit.

HEC-APPNA Merit Visiting Expert Program

Application Procedure:

Incomplete applications will not be entertained.

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

Foreign Expert Visit to Pakistan:

Foreign Visit of Local Faculty Member:

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.

HEC-APPNA MERIT Expert Visit to Pakistan:

• The visiting expert must currently be Board certified in his/her field of specialization.
• HEC-APPNA MERIT Visiting Expert should have research experience in his/her relevant field or have at least 01 publication or teaching experience at approved teaching and residency programs and medical schools.