HEC has established a program for recognizing and rewarding research achievements in various fields. Under this program, Pakistani scholars are acknowledged for achievements in their respective fields of specialization through a series of annual awards.

The objectives of this scheme are: 

• To recognize and reward achievements in research, innovation and publication in all areas of knowledge
   
• Establish a transparent, competitive and acceptable mechanism for selection
   
• Accelerate research & development by motivating scholars
   
• Diversify the fields of research & development by designing various rewarding categories

The general criteria -given below- for applying for the awards may be read in conjunction with the category-wise details provided under the head of “Research Award Category”:

• Applicants must be resident citizens of Pakistan having at least two years of research experience as a researcher.  
• Submissions must be based on original work in applicant’s field of specialization.
• Research work must have been initiated in Pakistan and at least 80% be done in Pakistan.
• The material for "Best research paper award and best book publication award" must have been published in 2010-11.
• For "Best young reseach scholar award" maximum age is under 40 years or Ph.D student (with no age restriction).
• For "Lifetime academic achievement award" minimum age is 50 years.

For details please view "Related Document" section.

The application forms may be downloaded from Related Documents.

List of Disciplines for Research Awards

For the Research Awards, the following disciplines are defined. 

Biological and Medical Sciences    

• Agriculture including Plant culture, Forestry, Horticulture, Animal Culture, Aquaculture, Fisheries etc.    
• Biological Sciences including Evolution and Genetics, Microbiology, Botanical Sciences, Microbiology, Paleo-botany, Zoological Sciences, Marine Sciences, Biological Anthropology etc.
• Medicine including Human anatomy, Cytology, Histology, Human Physiology, Pathology, Surgery & related medical specialties, Gynecology & related medical specialties, Experimental Medicine, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Dentistry, Paediatrics, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Therapeutics, Nursing etc. 
• Public Health including Promotion of health, Incidence and prevention of disease, Epidemiology etc.

Engineering and Technology

• Technology including Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, Ergonomics, Technical and Vocational Education, Industrial Researcxh, Biotechnology etc.
• Engineering including Civil Engineering, Bioengineering, Systems Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Engineering Economy, Engineering Metereology, Applied Mechanics, Accoustical Engineering, Structural Engneering, Engineering Geology, Transportation Engineering, Applied Optics, Photonics, Plasma Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Environmenatal Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Nuclear Engineering, Aeronotics, Astronautics, Mining Engineering, Materials engineering etc.

 Basic and Applied Science

• Earth, atmosphere and Marine Sciences including Earth Sciences and Allied Sciences, Geology, Hydrology, Matereology, Petrology, Mineralogy, Economic Geology, Paleontology (paleozoology, Paleobotany), Oceonography etc.
• Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Sciences and Related Disciplines
• Physics all specialities including Mechanics, Electricity and Electronics, Modern Physics, Nuclear Physics etc.
• Chemistry all subjects including Biochemistry, analytical Chemistry, Crystallography etc.
• Astronomy and Allied Sciences, Earth (Astronomical Geography), Mathematical Geography, Astro-geology, Astro Physics etc.

 Management Sciences: 

• Management Engineering, Accounting
• Business Administration and Management
• Finance all subjects including Public Finance, Banking, Finance Management, Commerce etc.

Social Sciences

• Anthropology
• Archeology
• Economics
• Political Sciences
• International Relations
• Psychology
• Philosophy
• Sociology
• Criminology
• Administrative Sciences including Public Administration
• Library and Archival Sciences
• History
• Geography
• Religious Studies
• Education
• Law and Legislature

Arts and Humanities :

• Fine Arts
• Photography
• Recreational and Performing Arts, Music
• Physical Education and Sports
• Language and Literature
• Museology (Museum Science)
• Journalism, Advertisement, Mass Communication

Q1.     What is the purpose of this program?

Ans:    The purpose is to recognize and encourage high quality research and           writing of books in Pakistan.

Q2.     My book was published in 2005.  Can I still apply?

Ans:    The program is for publications in 2010 and 2011.  Prior publications           of papers / books will not be considered in this program.

Q3.     Do I need to apply, or is this by nominations?

Ans:    The application form can be downloaded from Related Documents and may be            submitted by yourself or by a person nominating you.

Q4.     How long after I apply will I find out if I am getting the award?

Ans:    HEC will acknowledge the receipt of your application within 2 weeks. The review           however will take some time. The goal is to complete the reviews and announce the           decision annualy.

Q5.     Does the research have to be done in Pakistan?

Ans:    Yes.  Only those authors will be considered who have carried out at least 80% of the           research in Pakistan for that publication.

Q6.     My paper is co-authored with 2 other people.  Does that affect the award?

Ans:    Yes, it does.  As per new policy, if the publication wins the award, the cash prize/certificate will be           equally distributed among all authors of the paper except foreign national.

Q7.     How many awards will be given out in my category?

Ans:    There is a maximum limit on the awards as described in the program.  How many           awards are actually granted will depend on the quality of the entries.   Entries that           are judged to be mediocre will not be awarded even if they are the only entries in           that category.

Q8.     What are the judgment criteria?

Ans:    The judgment Criteria can be seen in Other Related Documents.