ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission has opened HEC PhD scholarships for Pakistanis and Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals entering top-100 US universities in 2027.
The scholarships are part of the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor and cover PhD programmes. Master’s, MS and MS-leading-to-PhD programmes do not qualify, according to HEC’s programme information.
Candidates admitted to US universities ranked among the QS top 50 will receive tuition support based on the university’s invoice. HEC will also provide a $19,200 annual stipend and up to $2,000 in health insurance coverage.
Students entering universities ranked 51-100 can receive up to $12,000 in tuition assistance annually. They will qualify for the same stipend and health-insurance allowance.
Applicants must hold Pakistani or AJK nationality and possess at least 16 years of education, as evidenced by a four-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
HEC requires candidates in both categories to have no second- or third-class results throughout their academic careers. Applicants must also secure admission to an eligible university and obtain at least 300 on the GRE General test or 60% on the HEC Aptitude Test.
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The maximum age is 40 for regular government employees, public-sector university or government-college faculty, and researchers at approved public research organisations. All other candidates must be 35 or younger on the closing date.
Applicants cannot receive another scholarship at the same time. HEC also advised candidates to obtain additional university funding where its support does not cover the full cost.
Applications must be filed through the HEC scholarship portal. The deadline is October 30, 2026, for spring or summer admission and March 30, 2027, for the fall intake.
