The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has officially invited research proposals under its flagship National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU) 2025–26, offering a major opportunity for academic researchers to secure funding for innovative and impactful projects.
The NRPU aims to strengthen Pakistan’s research ecosystem by supporting both basic and applied research that addresses the country’s pressing socio-economic, environmental, and technological challenges. Through this initiative, HEC seeks to promote a culture of inquiry, innovation, and evidence-based policy development in higher education institutions.
According to the announcement, faculty members from all HEC-recognized universities and degree-awarding institutions are eligible to apply. The program will fund two primary categories of research projects — Basic Research Grants (30%) and Applied Research Grants (70%). This allocation highlights HEC’s focus on practical, solution-driven research with the potential to contribute to national development goals.
The commission has urged researchers to design proposals that align with Pakistan’s Vision 2025, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and emerging global scientific trends. Areas of interest include health, energy, climate change, food security, artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced materials, among others.
Applicants can access detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and priority research areas through the official HEC website at www.hec.gov.pk/site/nrpu.
The deadline for submitting project outlines is Monday, October 20, 2025. After the initial screening, shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit full proposals for further evaluation.
HEC emphasized that the NRPU is not only a funding platform but also a catalyst for fostering collaborative and interdisciplinary research, bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers.
By funding cutting-edge research projects, the commission aims to build a stronger knowledge-based economy and empower Pakistani scholars to make meaningful contributions to science, technology, and innovation — both nationally and globally.
