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Overseas Research Fellowship for Pakistani PhD Students

The Higher Education Commission HEC has invited applications for Batch 60 of the International Research Support Initiative Program IRSIP, providing Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir AJK PhD scholars with an opportunity to conduct research abroad for six months.

The fellowship is designed for full-time PhD students enrolled at HEC-recognized universities in Pakistan. Selected scholars will receive financial support toward travel and living expenses during their approved research stay at a foreign university, research institute, or laboratory.

Applications for IRSIP Batch 60 can be submitted until October 30, 2026.

HEC IRSIP Batch 60 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should meet the following requirements to be considered for the overseas research fellowship:

The applicant must be a Pakistani or AJK national.
The candidate must be enrolled as a full-time PhD student at an HEC-recognized university in Pakistan.
Applicants must have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework.
Candidates must have completed at least 18 months of their PhD program at the time of application.
The applicant should not have completed more than 3.5 years of PhD study at the time of applying.
For Batch 60, eligible candidates should have enrolled in their PhD program between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025.
Applicants must have passed the GAT Subject Test or the admission test conducted by their respective university.
The candidates PhD research topic and synopsis must have been approved by the relevant university authority.

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not by itself guarantee selection. Applicants are also required to fulfill the programs requirements regarding the foreign host institution and research supervisor.

Foreign University and Research Supervisor Requirements

Before applying, candidates need to secure an official acceptance or invitation letter from an eligible foreign university, research institute, or laboratory.

The proposed host institution must be located in a developed country and should meet the ranking requirements specified by HEC.

Applicants are also required to identify a suitable foreign research supervisor whose expertise is relevant to their PhD research. The proposed supervisor must be a full-time faculty member holding the position of Assistant Professor or above.

Students are advised to select a research group, laboratory, or supervisor whose research interests closely match their approved PhD topic. This can help ensure that the proposed six-month research stay is directly connected with their ongoing doctoral work.

HEC IRSIP Financial Support

Selected scholars will receive financial assistance from HEC for the approved six-month research period abroad.

The program provides an economy-class return air ticket of up to $1,300, subject to the applicable program rules and limits.

In addition to travel support, scholars receive a monthly living allowance based on the country where they will conduct their research.

Destination	Maximum Monthly Allowance
United States	Up to $1,500
United Kingdom	Up to £750
Austria, Germany and Netherlands	Up to €975
Other European countries	Up to €900
China, Korea and Malaysia	Up to $800

HEC may also provide financial support for approved bench fees, depending on the host institution and the applicable limits under the IRSIP program.

Applicants should carefully review the applicable HEC terms and funding limits before finalizing their research arrangements.

Documents Required for IRSIP Application

Candidates should arrange the required documents before submitting the online application. The key documents include:

Official acceptance or invitation letter from the foreign host institution.
Completed HEC proforma from the proposed foreign supervisor.
Updated CV of the foreign supervisor.
Proof that the applicants PhD research topic and synopsis have been approved.
Complete copy of the approved PhD research synopsis.
Recommendation letter from the applicants local PhD supervisor.

Applicants should ensure that the information provided in the online application matches the supporting documents. Missing or incomplete documentation can affect the processing of an application.

How to Apply for HEC IRSIP Batch 60

Eligible PhD students need to apply online through the HEC scholarship portal.

Applicants should complete all required sections of the online form and upload the relevant supporting documents before the deadline.

After completing the application, candidates should check the application status carefully. The application must show “Submitted” rather than “Saved.”

Applications that remain in “Saved” status will not be considered.

Selected applicants may also be asked to provide hard copies or additional documentation at a later stage of the selection process.

HEC IRSIP Batch 60 Application Deadline

The application deadline for HEC IRSIP Batch 60 is October 30, 2026.

PhD scholars planning to apply should arrange their foreign acceptance letter, supervisor documentation, approved research synopsis, and other supporting papers well before the deadline. This is particularly important because obtaining an invitation or acceptance from a foreign research institution can take time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HEC IRSIP?

The International Research Support Initiative Program IRSIP is an HEC initiative that provides eligible Pakistani and AJK PhD scholars with an opportunity to conduct research at an eligible foreign university, research institute, or laboratory for a specified period.

How long is the IRSIP research stay?

The overseas research opportunity under the latest batch is for six months.

Who can apply for IRSIP Batch 60?

Pakistani and AJK nationals enrolled as full-time PhD students at HEC-recognized universities in Pakistan can apply if they meet the programs academic, PhD duration, testing, research approval, and foreign host institution requirements.

How much monthly allowance does IRSIP provide?

The monthly allowance varies according to the destination country. For example, the maximum listed allowance is $1,500 per month for the United States, while the allowance for the United Kingdom is up to £750 per month.

Does HEC provide an air ticket under IRSIP?

Yes. Selected scholars can receive an economy-class return air ticket of up to $1,300, subject to the applicable program conditions.

Is a foreign acceptance letter required?

Yes. Applicants are required to arrange an official acceptance or invitation letter from an eligible foreign university, research institute, or laboratory.

Overseas Research Fellowship for Pakistani PhD Students

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