Urdu Report Desk
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced PhD scholarships for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) nationals seeking admission to eligible universities in the United States for the 2027 academic session.
The scholarships are being offered under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project, which supports doctoral studies at leading US institutions.
According to HEC, candidates admitted to universities ranked among the top 50 in the QS World University Rankings can receive full tuition fee coverage, an annual stipend of $19,000 and health insurance support of up to $2,000.
Students admitted to universities ranked between 51 and 100 can receive tuition fee assistance of up to $12,000 annually, along with a stipend and health insurance.
Application Deadlines for 2027
HEC has set October 30, 2026, as the deadline for applications for the Spring/Summer 2027 intake.
Candidates seeking admission for the Fall 2027 intake can apply until March 30, 2027.
Scholarship Benefits and Duration
The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project offers two scholarship categories based on the overall QS World University Rankings of eligible US universities.
The first category covers institutions ranked among the top 50, while the second applies to universities ranked between 51 and 100.
For the top-50 category, the scholarship includes full tuition coverage, an annual stipend of $19,000 and health insurance support of up to $2,000.
For universities ranked 51–100, tuition assistance is available up to $12,000 annually, alongside a stipend and health insurance.
Financial support can continue for up to five years, subject to the applicable scholarship conditions.
Eligibility Criteria for HEC PhD Scholarships
Pakistani and AJK nationals can apply if they meet HEC’s academic and other eligibility requirements.
Applicants must have completed at least 16 years of formal education, including a four-year bachelor’s degree such as a BS, BSc, BE or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
According to HEC’s published guidelines, applicants must not have a second or third division at any stage of their academic careers. Candidates should also review the specific requirements for the 2027 scholarship intake before applying.
The maximum age limit is 35 years for general applicants. However, regular government employees, faculty members of public-sector universities and government colleges, and researchers working in approved research and development organisations can apply up to the age of 40.
Applicants must not be receiving another scholarship when applying. Candidates who already hold a PhD degree are not eligible.
The programme covers doctoral studies only and does not include standalone master’s degrees, MS programmes or MS-leading-to-PhD programmes.
GRE and HAT Test Requirements
Applicants must provide a valid Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test score or Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) result.
The minimum requirement is 300 marks in the GRE General Test or 60% in HAT.
Candidates applying under the top-50 category must secure admission to a US university ranked among the first 50 institutions in the overall QS World University Rankings. Applicants for the second category must gain admission to an eligible university ranked between 51 and 100.
HEC does not list IELTS or TOEFL as separate requirements for applying for the scholarship. However, individual US universities may require these tests or other evidence of English-language proficiency as part of their admission process.
Priority Fields for PhD Research
The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project supports doctoral research in fields relevant to Pakistan’s higher education and research needs.
HEC’s published priority areas include Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences and Management, and Arts and Humanities.
Specific research fields include biotechnology, bioinformatics, computational biology, cancer biology, pharmaceutical sciences and agricultural sciences.
Engineering and technology priorities include Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Software Engineering, Sustainable Energy, Water Management and Environmental Engineering.
Other listed areas include Education, Public Policy, Rural Development, Urban Planning, and Creative Arts and Design.
However, HEC’s publicly available detailed subject list also refers to earlier scholarship intakes. Applicants should confirm whether their intended research field is eligible for the 2027 cycle before submitting an application.
How to Apply for HEC PhD Scholarships
Interested candidates must apply through HEC’s official online scholarship portal.
Applicants who do not already have an account must register using their CNIC number without dashes. They must also provide a valid mobile number and email address to complete the verification process.
After registration, candidates should complete their personal and academic profiles, open the Scholarships and Grants section, and select the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor application.
The application requires information about academic qualifications, research interests, professional experience and proposed doctoral studies.
Applicants should carefully check all information before submission, as applications containing incorrect or misleading details may be rejected.
According to HEC’s instructions, scanned copies of the application form and relevant supporting documents must also be submitted through the designated scholarship email process.
Hard copies are not required at the initial application stage, although shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide additional verified documents later.
Documents Required for the Application
Applicants should prepare their academic and identification documents before completing the application.
These include educational degrees and transcripts, CNIC, domicile and passport information. Candidates must also provide valid GRE or HAT results and details of their admission to an eligible US university.
Applicants should prepare information about their proposed research, intended specialisation and the university where they plan to pursue their PhD.
HEC may also request contact details for the proposed academic supervisor and the university’s graduate school.
Government employees and other applicants claiming professional experience may be required to provide employment or experience certificates.
Return-to-Pakistan and Service Requirements
The scholarship provides financial assistance for up to five years, subject to the approved terms and conditions.
Successful candidates must also commit to serving in Pakistan after completing their doctoral studies.
Selected scholars are required to fulfil the conditions of their scholarship agreements, including applicable return-to-Pakistan and service obligations.
Candidates who fail to meet the terms of their agreements may face financial liabilities under the relevant rules.
