HEC Announces Overseas Research Fellowship Offering Up to $1,500 Monthly Support

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for Batch 60 of its International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP), giving PhD scholars in Pakistan an opportunity to spend six months conducting research abroad.

The fellowship is available to eligible Pakistani and AJK nationals studying in full-time PhD programs at recognized Pakistani universities. Applications for the latest batch opened on October 1 and will remain open until October 30, 2026.

Through IRSIP, selected PhD scholars can work at reputable foreign universities, institutes and research laboratories. The program is designed to improve the quality of doctoral research in Pakistan while helping researchers gain international exposure and build academic links with institutions abroad.

Who Is Eligible for HEC IRSIP Batch 60?

Applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals and enrolled as full-time PhD students at a recognized university in Pakistan.

A candidate must have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework. HEC also requires applicants to have completed at least 18 months of their PhD enrolment while not exceeding 3.5 years in the program at the time they apply.

For Batch 60, the PhD enrolment date must fall between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025, inclusive.

Applicants must have passed either the local GAT Subject Test or their university's admission test taken at the time of admission or enrolment in the PhD program.

Another important condition relates to the applicant's research. The PhD research topic and synopsis must have been approved by the university's Board of Advanced Studies and Research, Directorate of Advanced Studies and Research, or another equivalent notified body.

Before submitting an application, a scholar also needs an official research acceptance or invitation letter from an eligible foreign university, research institute or laboratory.

The host university should meet HEC's ranking requirements under the Times Higher Education or QS World University Rankings. The proposed foreign supervisor must be a full-time faculty member holding the rank of Assistant Professor or above.

How Much Financial Support Will Selected Scholars Receive?

The IRSIP fellowship provides financial assistance for a six-month research stay abroad. The amount of the living allowance varies depending on the destination.

For scholars travelling to the United States, the living allowance can be up to $1,500 per month. Those conducting research in the United Kingdom can receive £750 per month.

Scholars travelling to Austria, Germany or the Netherlands are eligible for a monthly living allowance of €975. For other European countries, the allowance is €900 per month.

Those travelling to Korea, China or Malaysia can receive $800 per month, while the published allowance for the rest of the world is $1,200 per month.

HEC also provides an economy-class return airfare of up to $1,300. According to the program information, the ticket is arranged through IRSIP-HEC.

Bench fee support may also be available where applicable. However, the bench fee must be mentioned in the original acceptance or invitation letter. The amount is subject to the limits specified by HEC for different currencies.

This makes the program particularly useful for PhD students who need access to research facilities, laboratories, equipment or academic expertise that may not be readily available at their home university.

Documents Required and Important Conditions

Applicants should arrange their documents before starting the final application process, as incomplete applications are not considered.

One of the most important documents is the official acceptance or invitation letter from the foreign university, institute or laboratory. Applicants also need a completed HEC proforma signed by the proposed foreign supervisor and an updated CV of that supervisor.

Proof of approval of the PhD research topic and synopsis is required, along with a complete copy of the approved research synopsis.

Applicants must also provide a recommendation letter from their local PhD supervisor and an updated CV of the local supervisor.

Other documents may include the applicant's updated CV, passport copy, academic documents from the bachelor's degree onward, PhD coursework transcript and a copy of the relevant GAT Subject Test or university admission test.

Candidates already receiving another HEC scholarship may still be eligible for IRSIP, but they are required to submit an NOC from the concerned HEC officer.

Employed applicants or those on study leave may also need an NOC from their department or organization.

Selected candidates are required to sign a bond with HEC under which they agree to return and complete their PhD studies at their parent university.

How to Apply for HEC Overseas Research Fellowship

Applications for IRSIP Batch 60 must be submitted online through the HEC scholarship portal.

Candidates should complete every relevant section of the application form and upload all required supporting documents before the deadline.

One small but important step can determine whether an application is actually considered: applicants should check the final status of their online application after completing the form.

The application must show the status “Submitted.” An application that remains in “Saved” status is treated as incomplete and will not be processed.

For Batch 60, HEC says the online application portal will remain open from October 1 to October 30, 2026. Candidates planning to apply should avoid leaving the process until the final day, particularly if they still need documents from their local or foreign supervisors.

Hard copies aren't required with the initial online submission, but HEC may ask selected candidates to provide hard copies during further processing.

The IRSIP fellowship gives Pakistani PhD researchers a chance to spend six months working in an international research environment while continuing research connected with their degree in Pakistan. For eligible scholars who already have an approved research topic, finding an appropriate foreign supervisor and securing the required invitation letter are among the key steps toward completing the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the deadline for HEC IRSIP Batch 60?

The application deadline for Batch 60 is October 30, 2026. HEC states that the application portal is open from October 1 to October 30, 2026.

2. How long is the HEC overseas research fellowship?

IRSIP provides eligible PhD scholars with a six-month research fellowship abroad.

3. How much monthly allowance can a scholar receive?

The allowance depends on the destination. For example, scholars travelling to the United States can receive $1,500 per month, while the UK allowance is £750 per month. Different rates apply to Europe, China, Korea, Malaysia and other destinations.

4. Can a student already receiving an HEC scholarship apply?

Yes. HEC says scholars already receiving another HEC scholarship can apply for IRSIP, provided they obtain an NOC from the relevant HEC dealing officer and meet the other eligibility conditions.

5. What happens if an application remains in “Saved” status?

It won't be considered a completed application. Candidates must make sure their online application shows “Submitted” status before the deadline.