Q.1 What is ASIP ?
ASIP stands for Access to Scientific Instrumentation Program.
Q.2 What are the objectives of ASIP ?
Under Access to Scientific Instrumentation Program (ASIP), the Higher Education Commission (HEC) supports the researchers to get access to sophisticated equipment. Provide spectroscopic, analytical, chromatographic and other services to PhD researchers enrolled in different public sector universities on cost plus basis, which will be paid by the HEC.
Q.3 Who is eligible to get support under ASIP ?
The facility is exclusively for enrolled PhD students from HEC-recognized public sector local universities. Their synopsis must be approved by a competent university forum (such as the Advanced Studies & Research Board, Directorate of Research, or Ethical Review Board) and they must be admitted according to HEC admission criteria, following the terms and conditions in section C of the policy.
Q.4 Is every student from any university eligible to apply under ASIP?
Only the students of such public sector universities may apply who do not have that facility at their own university.
Q.5 How much funding is available under ASIP?
The maximum funding available for sample analysis for each applicant is Rs. 200,000/year (i.e. from 1st July to 30th June). While multiple applications may be submitted, but the total amount must not exceed the limit of Rs 200,000/year of three disbursements over the course of their program to support the completion of their research.
Q.6 Can a faculty member apply for ASIP?
No. Under ASIP only Ph.D students can apply.
Q.7 What are the prerequisites to apply under ASIP?
- Student's with approved Research synopsis/proposal by the competent forum (Ethical Review Board / Advance Studies & Research Board / Directorate of Research etc.) in university.
- Research supervisor of student should be approved supervisor as per university policy and a full-time faculty member of the university.
Q.8 Any other condition to apply under ASIP?
- Students can apply for such lab tests, for which they do not have analytical facility at their own university.
- Tests could only be performed from labs of public sector universities/public sector R&D organizations.
- If the test equipment is available in the institute and the applicant is not using that facility, he/she must provide detailed justification for using the facility at other institute/test facility.
- The only well-justified proposals duly signed/endorsed by the supervisor are eligible under ASIP funding.
- Student must report results of his/her research samples' analysis, in the research work.
- Declaration by student that he/she has not been funded for desired tests from any other funding agency.
Q.9 Does the applicant need to attach his/her research synopsis /proposal?
- The applicant needs to fill out the APPLICATION FORM for the Access to Scientific Instrumentation Program by providing all required information including supervisor details, research details, sample details, and three preferred sample analysis facilities.
- The applicant must attach one page summary/description of a research proposal with the application form. The summary must reflect the total number of samples to be analyzed during the whole research work.
Q.10 For what types of tests, students can apply under ASIP?
Students can apply for such lab tests for spectroscopic, analytical, chromatographic and other services to PhD researchers enrolled in different public sector universities which are not accessible.
Q.11 From which labs can the students get samples analyzed?
Tests could only be performed from labs, which are either at public sector universities or public sector organizations.
Q.12 Can a student apply for multiple tests in one application?
Yes. Student can apply for multiple tests from one lab by submitting a single application.
Q.13 Can a student apply for multiple tests from multiple labs in one application?
No. Separate application(s) must be submitted if tests are to be performed from more than one lab.
Q.14 For how many research samples' lab tests, can student apply?
PhD students can not get analysis of more than 50 samples for any test.
Q.15 Can a student avail itself of permission for analysis more than once a year?
Yes. Students can apply more than one time in a financial year, but he/she is restricted to an overall limit of Rs.200,000/- in a financial year of three disbursements over the course of their program to support the completion of their research.
Q.16 How much time does it take to get permission for research samples analysis under ASIP?
The applicant must apply at least 12 weeks prior to research samples' analysis.
Q.17 How to apply under ASIP?
- Applicant needs to register/login him/her-self through HEC-Research Grants Management System (RGMS) portal by using link https://research.hec.gov.pk
- He/she will have to complete his/her personal profile by entering the required information.
- Under RGMS portal applicant will be offered multiple tabs, he/she will have to click “Access to Scientific Instrumentation Program” tab. Then onward the system will lead step by step. Enter the required details and submit the application.
Q.18 May I chose the university supervisor other than HEC approved supervisor?
Research supervisor of student should be approved supervisor as per university policy and a full-time faculty member of the university.
Q.19 I do not find the lab name from where I like to get research samples analyzed?
The lab you desired, to get samples analyzed from, might not be HEC-registered. You may opt for any other available lab. Your required lab may request HEC to get itself registered (if in the public sector).
Q.20 My application is successfully submitted, what to do next?
Your application has been forwarded to your research supervisor, ask him/her to endorse it.
Q.21 My application is being shown at HEC, what is its status?
Your application is in process. Upon recommendation from competent forum, the decision will be communicated to you.
Q.22 My application has been approved by HEC, but I have not been issued award letter?
Login to RGMS-portal and download your award letter from your dashboard.
Q.23 I have got award letter, how to get research samples analyzed?
As advised in the award letter, present research samples to the lab focal person, get them analyzed.
Q.24 I have received results from research lab, they have asked me to submit duly signed copy of “Result Acceptance Voucher" and “Payment Form" ?
If you are satisfied with the tests' results, provided by lab. You will have to furnish duly signed copy of “Result Acceptance Voucher" and “Payment Form", to lab for official use.
Q.25 When should an applicant apply for reimbursement of claim?
Reimbursement is made to labs directly. Applicant will have to furnish duly signed copy of “Result Acceptance Voucher" and “Payment Form", to lab for official use.
Q. 26 Who will receive the reimbursement ?
Reimbursement is made to labs directly. Reimbursements will be released in favor head of the institution.
Q. 27 How are the payments made ?
Upon receipt of claims from labs, HEC disburses the research samples analysis cost directly to the labs.
Q. 28 How much time does it take, till the lab is paid the charges w.r.t. services it renders ?
On receipt of claims from labs (with proper documents), payment is made by HEC within a month.
Q. 29 How can a service provider (lab) submit claim to HEC ?
Upon delivery of results to applicants and collection of a duly signed copy of “Result Acceptance Voucher" and “Payment Form" from applicants, lab focal person can submit the claim directly to HEC, within two months time, by providing the following :
- Original Invoice from Service Provider (Duly Signed & stamped by Service Provider/Lab Focal Person)
- Payment Form, Result Acceptance Voucher, Copy of Award Letter (collected by Lab from applicant)
Q. 30 Applicant's funds limit i.e. 200,000 is exhausted. Is he/she eligible for more funds ?
If maximum amount i.e. Rs. 200,000/financial year is exhausted, applicant is not allowed to submit application for further analysis in that financial year.
Q. 31 Student and his/her supervisor are not satisfied with the results, what to do ?
Do not furnish the “Result Acceptance Voucher" and “Payment Form" to lab.
Q. 32 Where can applicant/service provider find “Result Acceptance Voucher" and “Payment Form"?
While delivering results to applicant, lab focal person will provide system generated “Result Acceptance Voucher" and “Payment Form" to the applicant.
Q. 33 How is ASIP helpful for scholars/students ?
Costs of acquiring research samples analysis can be a major hurdle for students, if students do not have facility at their own university, they can get access to labs of other HEIs and organizations.
Q. 34 How is ASIP helpful for institution ?
HEI's labs can offer research samples analysis and share state-of-the-art research equipment to students of other HEIs. HEC provides financial support to the universities and R&D organizations for giving access to other HEIs' students, to use their laboratories.
Q. 35 If, student already has an account at eportal.hec.gov.pk, does he/she need to sign up again ?
Students, once registered online, will have to sign in to RGMS portal. He/she will have to go through the process of selection of lab and the tests.
Q. 36 Applicant want to apply again under ASIP does he/she need to register again ?
Applicant can use the same credentials to login/apply on research.hec.gov.pk
Q. 37 I have forgotten my password, what to do ?
Share your CNIC number, name, department and HEI title, via Email to HEC (email ID : asip@hec.gov.pk).
Q. 38 My query is not addressed in the above listed questions, whom should I contact ?
You can write your concern at asip@hec.gov.pk and our team will revert in due course.
