The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for Batch 60 of its International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP).
The fellowship offers Pakistani PhD scholars a six-month research opportunity at eligible institutions abroad. Applications for the latest batch will remain open until October 30, 2026.
The program is available to Pakistani and AJK nationals enrolled in full-time PhD programs at HEC-recognized universities in Pakistan.
Who Can Apply for HEC IRSIP Batch 60?
Applicants must hold Pakistani or AJK nationality and remain enrolled as full-time PhD students at an HEC-recognized university.
However, candidates must meet specific academic and enrollment requirements for Batch 60.
Applicants should have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework. They must also have completed at least 18 months of their PhD.
At the same time, applicants must not have completed more than 3.5 years of PhD study when applying.
For Batch 60, eligible candidates should have started their PhD between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025.
Applicants must also have passed either the GAT Subject Test or their university’s admission test.
In addition, their PhD research topic and synopsis must already have approval from the relevant university authority.
Foreign University Requirements
Candidates must arrange an official acceptance or invitation letter from an eligible foreign institution.
The host institution may be a university, research institute or laboratory in a developed country.
It must also meet the ranking requirements specified by HEC.
Furthermore, the proposed foreign supervisor must hold a full-time faculty position at Assistant Professor level or above.
Candidates are expected to identify a suitable research group or supervisor before submitting their applications. The proposed research should remain relevant to their ongoing PhD research area.
How Much Financial Support Does HEC Offer?
Selected IRSIP scholars will receive financial support for their six-month overseas research stay.
HEC can provide an economy-class return air ticket worth up to $1,300. In addition, scholars can receive a monthly living allowance based on their destination country.
For scholars travelling to the United States, the monthly allowance can reach $1,500. Those going to the United Kingdom can receive up to £750 per month.
Meanwhile, scholars travelling to Austria, Germany or the Netherlands can receive €975 monthly.
For other European countries, the monthly allowance can reach €900.
Scholars heading to China, Korea or Malaysia can receive up to $800 per month.
HEC may also provide support for approved bench fees. However, this support depends on the host institution and the program’s applicable limits.
Documents Required for IRSIP Application
Candidates should prepare all required documents before starting their online applications.
These include an official acceptance letter from the foreign host institution. Applicants must also provide the foreign supervisor’s completed HEC proforma and updated CV.
Additionally, candidates need proof that their PhD research topic and synopsis have received approval.
They must submit a complete copy of the approved synopsis as well. A recommendation letter from the local PhD supervisor is also required.
Having these documents ready can help applicants complete the online application correctly before the deadline.
How to Apply for HEC IRSIP Batch 60
Eligible candidates must submit their applications through the HEC scholarship portal.
Applicants should complete every required section of the online form carefully. They must also upload all required supporting documents.
After completing the form, candidates should check its application status carefully.
The status must show “Submitted” for the application to be considered. Applications that remain in “Saved” status will not be considered.
Selected candidates may later be required to provide hard copies of their documents.
With the October 30 deadline approaching, eligible Pakistani and AJK PhD scholars should ensure their acceptance letters, research approvals and supporting documents are ready before submitting their applications.
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