The Higher Education Commission has opened applications for Batch 60 of the International Research Support Initiative Programme, the flagship HEC overseas research fellowship for PhD scholars, offering a six-month overseas research placement for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals enrolled in full-time PhD programmes at recognised universities in Pakistan. The deadline for applications is October 30, 2026.
The HEC overseas research fellowship places scholars at foreign universities, research institutes or laboratories for a semester of their doctoral work, with a monthly living allowance and a return air ticket covered by the commission.
Who can apply
Applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals enrolled as full-time PhD students at an HEC-recognised university. They should have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework and no less than 18 months of their doctoral studies, without crossing the three-and-a-half-year mark at the time of application.
For Batch 60, the commission has set the enrolment window between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025. Candidates must also have passed the GAT Subject Test or their university’s own admission test, and their PhD research topic and synopsis must already stand approved by the competent university authority.
Foreign university requirement
Each applicant must secure an official acceptance or invitation letter from the foreign host institution. The host must be located in a developed country and meet HEC’s ranking requirements, while the proposed foreign supervisor has to be a full-time faculty member at the rank of assistant professor or above. Candidates are expected to identify a suitable research group or supervisor in their PhD area before applying.
HEC overseas research fellowship: financial support
HEC will pay an economy-class return air ticket of up to $1,300 for each selected scholar, alongside a monthly living allowance that varies by destination. Scholars heading to the United States can receive up to $1,500 a month, while those bound for the United Kingdom can get up to £750.
The allowance stands at €975 a month for Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, up to €900 for other European countries, and up to $800 for China, Korea and Malaysia. HEC may also cover approved bench fees, subject to the host institution and the programme’s limits.
How to apply
Candidates must apply online through the HEC scholarship portal, completing every section of the form and uploading the required documents. These include the foreign acceptance letter, the foreign supervisor’s completed HEC proforma and updated CV, proof of approval of the PhD topic and synopsis, a complete copy of the approved synopsis, and a recommendation letter from the local PhD supervisor.
After submission, applicants should confirm the status reads “Submitted”, as applications left in “Saved” status will not be considered. Selected candidates may be asked for hard copies of their documents at a later stage.
The fellowship is one of several international research opportunities open to Pakistani scholars this year, alongside two fully funded PhD studentships at UCL for Pakistani applicants.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for HEC IRSIP Batch 60?
Applications for Batch 60 of the International Research Support Initiative Programme close on October 30, 2026. Candidates must submit their online applications before that date.
How much allowance does the HEC overseas research fellowship pay?
The monthly living allowance depends on the destination. Scholars going to the United States can receive up to $1,500 a month, the United Kingdom up to £750, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands €975, other European countries up to €900, and China, Korea and Malaysia up to $800. An economy-class return air ticket of up to $1,300 is also covered.
Who is eligible for the HEC overseas research fellowship?
Pakistani and AJK nationals enrolled full-time in a PhD at an HEC-recognised university, with at least 18 credit hours of coursework and between 18 months and 3.5 years of study completed. For Batch 60, candidates must have enrolled between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025, passed the GAT Subject Test or their university’s admission test, and hold an approved research synopsis plus an acceptance letter from a foreign host institution.
*Source: TechJuice*
