Web Desk: Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced PhD scholarship opportunities for 2027 admissions under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor initiative, offering aspiring researchers a chance to pursue doctoral studies at leading American universities.
The program aims to strengthen academic collaboration between Pakistan and the United States by supporting talented Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) students seeking admission to top-ranked institutions worldwide.
The scholarships are available exclusively for PhD programs and do not cover master’s or MS degrees leading to PhD studies.
Scholarships target top-ranked US universities
Under the initiative, HEC will provide funding for candidates admitted to universities ranked among the top 100 institutions in the QS World University Rankings.
Applicants securing admission to the top 50 QS-ranked US universities will fall under Category I, while those admitted to universities ranked between 51 and 100 will be considered under Category II.
For Category I scholars, HEC will cover tuition fees according to the university’s official invoice, along with an annual stipend of $19,200 and health insurance support of up to $2,000 per year.
Meanwhile, Category II scholars will receive tuition assistance of up to $12,000 annually, in addition to the same yearly stipend and health insurance allowance.
Eligibility criteria announced
HEC said applicants must meet both general and university-specific requirements to qualify for the scholarships.
Eligible candidates must hold Pakistani or AJK nationality and possess at least a four-year bachelor’s degree, including BS, BSc, BE or an equivalent 16-year education qualification.
Applicants must not have earned a second or third division during their academic career for Category I and Category II scholarships.
The age limit has been set at 40 years for regular government employees, public-sector university faculty members, government college faculty and researchers working in approved research and development organizations.
For all other applicants, the maximum age limit is 35 years on the application closing date.
Candidates receiving any other scholarship funding will not be eligible to apply.
Admission requirements for applicants
For Category I scholarships, candidates must secure admission to a university ranked among the top 50 QS-ranked US institutions.
Applicants must also provide a valid GRE-General Test score with a minimum overall score of 300 or an HEC Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) score of at least 60 percent.
Similarly, Category II applicants must obtain admission to a QS-ranked US university placed between 51 and 100 and meet the same GRE or HAT score requirements.
HEC has encouraged applicants to explore additional university funding opportunities to cover any possible difference between scholarship support and institutional costs.
Merit-based selection process
The commission said meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee scholarship approval, as selections will be made purely on merit.
HEC will shortlist only the highest-performing candidates from the applicant pool, emphasizing academic excellence and research potential.
The commission will use the latest QS World University Rankings for the 2027 admissions cycle as the reference for university rankings.
Application deadlines announced
Interested candidates must submit applications through the official HEC scholarship portal.
For the Spring/Summer 2027 intake, applications will remain open until October 30, 2026.
For the Fall 2027 intake, the deadline has been set for March 30, 2027.
HEC said the initiative is part of its broader effort to develop advanced research capacity, promote international academic partnerships and prepare Pakistani scholars for contributions in science, technology and innovation.
The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor program is designed to create opportunities for Pakistani students to study at globally recognised universities while strengthening the country’s higher education and research ecosystem.
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