Urdu Report Desk
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for Batch 60 of the International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals.
The program offers full-time PhD students enrolled at HEC-recognized universities in Pakistan an opportunity to conduct research abroad for six months. The deadline to apply is October 30, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be Pakistani or Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals enrolled as full-time PhD students at an HEC-recognized university.
Candidates must have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework and at least 18 months of their PhD studies. They must not have completed more than 3.5 years of their PhD at the time of application.
For Batch 60, eligible candidates must have enrolled in their PhD between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025.
Applicants must also have passed the GAT Subject Test or the admission test conducted by their respective university. Their PhD research topic and synopsis must have already been approved by the relevant university authority.
Foreign Host Institution Requirements
Applicants must secure an official acceptance or invitation letter from a foreign university, research institution, or laboratory.
The host institution must be located in a developed country and meet HEC’s specified ranking requirements.
The proposed foreign supervisor must be a full-time faculty member in the relevant research field at the level of Assistant Professor or above.
Candidates are expected to identify a suitable research group or supervisor related to their PhD research area before submitting their application.
Financial Support
HEC will provide financial assistance for the six-month research stay. Selected scholars may receive an economy-class return air ticket worth up to $1,300.
A monthly living allowance will also be provided based on the country of the research placement. Scholars travelling to the United States can receive up to $1,500 per month, while those going to the United Kingdom can receive up to £750 per month.
The monthly allowance is up to €975 for Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, while scholars travelling to other European countries can receive up to €900 per month.
For China, South Korea, and Malaysia, the monthly allowance can reach $800. HEC may also provide support for approved research bench fees, subject to the host institution and program limits.
Required Documents
Applicants must provide an official acceptance letter from the foreign host institution, the completed HEC proforma of the foreign supervisor, and the supervisor’s updated CV.
They must also submit proof of approval for their PhD research topic and synopsis, a complete copy of the approved synopsis, and a recommendation letter from their local PhD supervisor.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates must submit their applications through the HEC scholarship portal. Applicants should complete all sections of the online form and upload the required documents.
After completing the application, candidates must ensure that its status is shown as "Submitted.”
Applications that remain in "Saved” status will not be considered. Selected candidates may be required to provide hard copies of their documents at a later stage.
