The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for Batch 60 of its International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP). The program offers Pakistani PhD students an opportunity to conduct research abroad.
Under the initiative, selected scholars can spend six months at a foreign university or research institution. The program is available to Pakistani and AJK nationals enrolled in full-time PhD programs.
Applicants must be studying at an HEC-recognized university in Pakistan. They must also meet specific academic and enrollment requirements for Batch 60.
Candidates must have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework. They should also have completed at least 18 months of their doctoral studies.
At the time of application, candidates must not have completed more than 3.5 years of their PhD. For Batch 60, eligible students must have started their PhD between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025.
Applicants must also have passed the GAT Subject Test. An admission test conducted by their university may also meet this requirement.
Their PhD research topic and synopsis must have received approval from the relevant university authority. This approval is required before submitting an application.
Candidates must arrange an official acceptance or invitation letter from a foreign host institution. The host can be a university, research institute, or laboratory.
The institution must be located in a developed country. It must also meet the ranking requirements set by HEC.
Applicants are required to identify a suitable foreign research supervisor. The proposed supervisor must be a full-time faculty member at Assistant Professor level or above.
The research group or supervisor should also be relevant to the candidate’s PhD research area. This requirement helps ensure that the foreign research stay supports the student’s doctoral work.
HEC will provide financial assistance to selected scholars during their six-month research stay. The support includes an economy-class return air ticket worth up to $1,300.
Selected scholars will also receive a monthly living allowance. The amount depends on the country where they conduct their research.
Scholars travelling to the United States can receive up to $1,500 per month. Those going to the United Kingdom can receive up to £750 monthly.
The allowance is €975 per month for Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. Scholars visiting other European countries can receive up to €900 monthly.
For China, Korea, and Malaysia, the monthly allowance can reach $800. HEC may also provide approved bench fee support within program limits.
Applicants must prepare several documents before submitting their forms. These include an official acceptance letter from the foreign host institution.
They must also submit the foreign supervisor’s completed HEC proforma and updated CV. Proof of PhD research topic and synopsis approval is also required.
A complete approved synopsis and recommendation letter from the local PhD supervisor must also be provided.
Applications for HEC IRSIP Batch 60 must be submitted online. Candidates can use the HEC scholarship portal to complete the application.
Applicants should fill in all sections carefully and upload the required documents. After submission, the application status must show “Submitted.”
Applications remaining in “Saved” status will not be considered. Selected candidates may also be asked to provide hard copies later.
In other relateed news also read HEC Reschedules HAT for Overseas Scholarship Applicants
The deadline for applications is October 30, 2026. Eligible PhD students should complete their applications before the stated deadline.
