The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for its Research Awards 2026-27, inviting Pakistani researchers and scholars nationwide to apply.
The awards aim to recognize research excellence while highlighting contributions that strengthen intellectual development and promote high-impact academic publications. Moreover, HEC will present awards across three major categories: Best Researcher, Best Young Researcher and Best Publication.
HEC Research Awards 2026-27 Categories
The Research Awards will recognize achievements across three categories. These include Best Researcher, Best Young Researcher and Best Publication.
Therefore, researchers and scholars should carefully review the eligibility requirements before submitting their applications. The commission has also outlined specific conditions for publications submitted under the Best Publication category.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet HEC’s general eligibility conditions to qualify for consideration. First, an applicant must never have been blacklisted by HEC.
Additionally, neither the applicant nor the submitted publication should have received the same award previously. HEC has also stressed its plagiarism requirements for all eligible research work.
None of the publications credited to the applicant or authors should contain plagiarism under the HEC plagiarism policy. As a result, applicants should ensure that their submitted work meets the commission’s academic integrity requirements.
Requirements for Best Publication Award
The Best Publication category covers scholarly books and journal articles. However, the publication must meet specific requirements regarding its publication date and authorship.
The work must not have been published more than three years before January 1, 2026. Furthermore, no more than three authors can have contributed to the publication.
All authors must also have been residents of Pakistan for at least three years as of January 1, 2026. Therefore, applicants should verify these conditions before submitting their publications.
Journal Article and Book Requirements
For a research article to qualify, it must appear in an HEC-recognized W-category journal. In addition, the article must have a minimum citation count of 100.
Meanwhile, a scholarly book submitted under the category must come from a recognized or renowned academic press. These requirements distinguish eligible publications from other academic work.
How to Apply for HEC Research Awards 2026-27
HEC has directed applicants to submit their forms through its online research portal. Applicants can access the application system at research.hec.gov.pk.
However, incomplete applications will not be entertained. Similarly, HEC will not consider applications submitted after the closing date.
HEC Research Awards 2026-27 Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is Saturday, October 31, 2026. Consequently, eligible Pakistani researchers and scholars should complete their applications before the deadline.
The Research Awards provide an opportunity to formally recognize academic research and publication achievements. Therefore, applicants should review every eligibility condition and ensure their submissions meet HEC’s requirements before applying.
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