Innovative & Collaborative Research Grant FAQs

Can an applicant submit more than one proposal under the same grant?

No, only one proposal can be submitted by an applicant under the same grant

Can a foreign national apply for ICRG?

All the R&D grants of HEC are open to faculty members as PI or Co-PI who are currently employed at Pakistani universities irrespective of their citizenship. In case they are not employed at Pakistani universities, they can still join the project as Co-PI but HEC will not be funding their participation.

Does an applicant need to submit hard copy of application?

No, hard copy of an application is not required

Do the Pakistani PI and the UK PI need to submit separate applications?

No, only single joint application needs to be submitted by the Pakistani PI on HEC online portal

The financial budget guidelines are also applicable for UK budget part?

No, the financial guidelines available on the website only apply to Pakistani part of budget

Is PhD student eligible to submit a proposal?

No, only faculty member is eligible to submit a proposal

Is the budget template/sheet required to be submitted at PO stage?

Yes, the budget template is required to be submitted at Project Outline stage

Is financial contribution of industry is mandatory for ICRG?

No, financial contribution of industry is not mandatory under ICRG

Is it mandatory to include centre of excellence in relevant area of research?

No, it is optional

It it mandatory to include non-academic partner?

yes, it is mandatory

Can a UK PI submit the application?

No, the application will be submitted by the Pakistani PI

Can a Co-PI be from non-university/faculty?

No, Co-PI will be from university faculty

Can two people from different universities be PIs for the same project?

No, there will be one PI for the project

Can there be one PI for two Projects?

No

Can a PI be the Co-PI in other Project?

Yes

will any variation to the budget indicated at stage-1 be permitted at stage-2 of the application?

Major variations may not be entertained at stage-2

will the deadline date for proposal submission be extended?

No

Do the quotations for budget need to be submitted at PO stage or FPP stage

Submitting quotations at PO stage would be highly encouraged, however it is mandatory at FPP stage.

HR cost for faculty and students are much higher in UK than the cost specified in the budget guideline?

HEC only covers the cost for Pakistani partners. Please contact British Council for the budget Guidelines for UK partners

How many partners can be taken for Pakistan side under ICRG?

Centre of excellence or other university having required potential and expertise in the relevant area can be engaged depending upon the scope and requirement of the project

Is there a possibility to add another co-investigator in the FPP submission?

Yes, CoPI can be added (subject to justification) to strengthen the consortium.

In the FPP submission, can budget be requested that is different than the initial requested budget, but still meeting the funding guidelines?

Yes, Budget can be edited in FPP submission

Any letter of support is required for potential industrial partners?

For the industrial partner, they need to submit a letter of support. But the application of industrial partner will be on in-kind model.

Any letter of support is required for potential industrial partners?

For the industrial partner, they need to submit a letter of support. But the participation of industrial partner will be on in-kind model.