Principal Investigator can execute or submit only two research projects simultaneously under any of HEC funded research grant programs either under PBAIRP or NRPU or UITSP or TDF or TRGP or Pak-US etc. (either ongoing, submitted, under review, etc).
Duration:
A research grant will normally be provided for a period of one to two years. However, there is no restriction on the lower limit.
Approval Procedure
- HEC has a list of experts/ focal points/Reviewers in all disciplines / sub disciplines. They are the experts in their fields. As per HEC policy, all research grants proposals are forwarded to a panel of three experts for evaluation known as reviewers. Each of the reviewers is paid a remuneration amounting to Rs=8000/- as a token of their valuable contribution to review the research proposal.
- Experts /Focal points/Reviewers will do initial screening of the projects sent to them by HEC.
- In case they do not consider a project suitable for funding, they can reject the project at their level and for reviewers there are only two options either to accept or reject the proposals. However, they may suggest suitable updates/changes in the project for that PI would bound to improve his/her proposal before release of the funds along with submission of agreement in line with its clause 6.
- The comments of focal points and reviewers are considered as the final decision in the case.
Agreement
- After the Research Grant is approved for funding, a written agreement is signed between the HEC, the grantee (PI) and his/her institute.
- The host institute must administer the grant according to the agreement and provide laboratory space, and other facilities necessary for the project. The equipment, material and literature provided for the project through the Research Grants Program remains the in the custody of the institute after the project is completed.
- The PI must keep the HEC properly informed about any applications of the results obtained and acknowledge support from HEC in all publications or presentations. Any research result obtained under the PBAIRP must be made freely available without restrictions.
- The PI will improve his/her final form of reviewed proposal if recommended by the experts to grant as per clause 6 of the agreement before release of the 1st installment of the funds.
- The Project(s) will be cancelled, if PI is not following the terms & conditions laid down by HEC.
Annual Report:
The PI is required to submit a short annual report along with audited funds utilization report (specimens for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and final are available on HEC-PBAIP web site under download option) of the project within fifteen days of the completion of each year.
Progress report should highlight the major achievements during the reporting period and completion of targets/goals as envisaged in the Proposal for the subject year.
The release of the subsequent year award is tied up with the approval of the Annual Progress Report by the experts as satisfactory and availability of funds from the Government of Pakistan.
Entitlement:
HEC provides funds as per the following details:
Sr. # | Items | Total Allocation |
1. | Equipment
(with full justification) if any of equipment is already provided to university, same can not allowed to request | As per requirements of the project |
2. | Chemical/Glassware (with full justification and details of quantity required for the project) | As per requirements of the project |
3. | Accessories (with full justification) | As per requirements of the project |
4. | Journal Publication fee/online material | As per requirement of the project but maximum up to Rs. 50,000/- |
5. | Honorarium for PI One month initial basic pay of scale per year on mentioned rates either PI is working on BPS or TTS | Lecturer @ Rs. 38350/-; Assistant Professor @ Rs. 59210/-; Associate Professor @ Rs. 69090/-; Professor @ Rs. 76720/- Meritorius Professor @ Rs. 82380/- |
6. | Honorarium for Co-PI (if justified) One month initial basic pay of scale once in entire project life on mentioned rates either Co-PI is working on BPS or TTS | Lecturer @ Rs. 38350/-; Assistant Professor @ Rs. 59210/-; Associate Professor @ Rs. 69090/-; Professor @ Rs. 76720/- Meritorius Professor @ Rs. 82380/- |
7. | Studentships · MS/M.Phil. students · PhD students | @ Rs. 20,000/- per month @ Rs. 25,000/- per month |
8. | Local Travel (if required and fully justified) (Tentative schedule of visits for all the years of project life along with full justification and rates/calculations as per actual expenditure). Note: TA/DA is not allowed, PI and students will reimburse their expenditures as per actual. |
Maximum 0.2 million per year per project calculated as per actual expenditure if field work/survey is involved; Moreover, students/PI will be allowed only to reimburse actual expenditures incurred during their field visit if any.
|
9. | Secretariat Staff (if required and justified) | Rs. 18,000 per year |
10. | Stationary/Contingencies
| Rs. 10,000 per year |
11. | Any type of entertainment
| Not Allowed |
12. | Audit/Accounts
| Rs. 20,000 (maximum) |
13. | Other specific requirements
| Depending upon the nature of the project if fully justified |
14. | University overhead
|
|
a. | If ORIC is fully functional & notified by HEC as per its established criteria
| 15% of total direct cost to meet office support and utilities etc. of ORIC |
b. | If ORIC is not established/notified by HEC | 2% of total direct cost to meet research office support and utilities, etc. |
Note: - If a university teacher working as PI or Co-PI in more than one project, he/she may get only one month's Initial Basic Pay under any one of his/her project.
For closure of a Project/to received project completion letter, Principal Investigator has to submit following document in the end of the final year of the project. That is mandatory for release of final payments (retained amount by HEC) as well:
a. Final Annual Progress Report (specimen is available under download page).
b. Project Completion Performa (Codal Formality Performa)-(specimen available in download page).
c. Consolidated Expenditure Statement duly Audited by the Resident Auditor of the Respective University (specimen is available under download page).
PBAIRP Policy Points
1. No foreign payments may be made neither to any foreign firm for the purchase of any item/equipment etc. nor to any foreigner (as Co-PI)/consultant etc. Hence no LC may be got opened.
2. International travel is not allowed under PBAIRP. However, PI may go abroad if he/she is funded/supported by a collaborating partner without any financial liability on part of HEC/PBAIRP.
3. Proposal submitted under PBAIRP must not be meant for establishment of laboratory or for only development.
4. TA/DA is not allowed to any of the PI, Co-PI and student etc.
5. However, travel expenditure as per actual may be reimbursed under head local travel but maximum up to 0.2 million per year per project.
6. Any type of food/entertainment expenditure may not be demanded/reimbursed out of any budget head of PBAIRP grant released.
7. The only studentship is allowed (M. Phil./MS/M.Sc.(Hon . )/PhD students or having inline 18 year schooling).
8. No research associate/research assistant/field assistant/field surveyor/ or any supporting staff etc. can be engaged other than studentship in the project.
9. No coordinator/consultant is allowed to be hired as it is responsibility of PI/Co-PI.
10. However daily paid labor (DPL) can be demanded for a specific time period and may be hired at university rates if justified and approved under the proposal.
11. Secretariat Staff (if required & justified by PI) is allowed @ Rs18, 000 per year.
12. The total amount of the project would never be exceeded 20 million in any case if PI, s impact factor allowed.
13. Next instalment is released after deducting previous unspent amount reflected by PI in his/her annual audited expenditure statement submitted to HEC. There is no provision of any committed amount. Principal Investigator have to submit his/her annual expenditure statement after paying their all due payments of expenditures. Specimen of annual expenditure statements (1st, 2nd, & final) is available on HEC-PBAIRP web site under download option. All PIs are requested to please use same.
14. PI must make all expenditure in accordance with the Government rules/regulations such as PPRA rules.
15. All accounts of these funds shall be maintained as per Government rules and are subject to audit.
If a university teacher is working as PI or Co-PI in more than one project, he/she may get only one month's Initial Basic Pay under any one of his/her project as honorarium.
