Fellowship Opens for PhD Scholars
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) PhD scholars. The programme offers a six-month research opportunity at leading foreign universities, research institutions and laboratories.
The fellowship has been launched to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It will support doctoral research focused on his vision, leadership, contributions, legacy and political, social and constitutional thought.
Applications opened on October 6, 2026. The deadline to apply is October 30, 2026.
Research Areas
The fellowship is designed for PhD researchers whose approved research proposals are related to Quaid-e-Azam and his contribution to Pakistan.
Eligible research areas include his vision and thought, leadership and statesmanship, role and contributions, legacy and ideals, political thought, social thought and constitutional thought.
Selected scholars will be able to conduct research at an eligible foreign university, institute or laboratory for six months.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals enrolled as full-time PhD students at a recognised Pakistani university. Candidates must have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework.
They must also have completed at least 18 months of PhD enrolment but should not have exceeded three and a half years of enrolment at the time of application.
Applicants must have passed either the GAT Subject Test or the university admission test used for their PhD admission. Documentary proof of the test result is required.
Approved PhD Topic Required
Candidates must already have an approved PhD research topic and synopsis. The research must be approved by the relevant academic authorities at the applicant’s university.
The proposed research must also match the objectives and themes of the Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship. Applicants are required to obtain the necessary recommendation from their local PhD supervisor and university.
Foreign University Acceptance
Applicants must secure an official acceptance or invitation from a foreign university, institute or laboratory before submitting their application.
The host institution must meet HEC’s requirements for recognised leading institutions. The university or institution should have an appropriate overall or subject-wise ranking under the QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Financial Support
The fellowship provides return economy-class airfare of up to $1,300. Selected scholars will also receive a monthly living allowance based on their research destination.
The monthly allowance includes $1,500 for the United States, £750 for the United Kingdom, €975 for Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, and $800 for China, South Korea and Malaysia.
Eligible bench-fee reimbursement is also available under the fellowship.
Documents Required
Applicants need to prepare several documents before submitting their applications. These include the official acceptance or invitation letter from the foreign host institution, the foreign supervisor’s proforma and CV, and the approved PhD research synopsis.
Candidates must also provide a recommendation from their local PhD supervisor, an updated CV, passport copy, academic documents and proof of their GAT Subject Test or university admission test.
How to Apply
Eligible scholars must submit their applications online through the designated HEC application form. Candidates should complete all required sections and upload the necessary academic, research and identification documents.
Applicants must also provide details of their local and foreign supervisors and evidence of acceptance from an eligible foreign institution.
HEC may reject incomplete applications or submissions that do not meet the fellowship’s eligibility requirements. Candidates are advised to complete the application carefully and submit it before the October 30 deadline.
Also read: HEC Reschedules HAT for Overseas Scholarship Applicants
