HEC Announces PhD Scholarships Under US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Program

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has announced PhD Scholarships for 2027 admissions under the U.S.-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor (US-Pak KC) Program. The scholarship aims to support Pakistani students who wish to pursue PhD studies in top-ranked universities in the United States.

According to the announcement, the scholarship is only available for PhD programs and does not cover Master’s degree programs that lead to a PhD.

The initiative is part of Pakistan’s efforts to increase the number of highly qualified researchers, university faculty members, and professionals by sending students to internationally recognized universities.

Scholarship Categories

The scholarship is divided into two categories based on the QS World University Rankings.

Category I: Top 50 QS Ranked U.S. Universities

Students securing admission in universities ranked among the top 50 globally in QS rankings will receive:

• Full tuition fee according to the university invoice
• Annual stipend of US$19,200
• Health insurance support of US$2,000 per year

Applicants must obtain admission in a top 50 U.S. university and achieve the required GRE or HEC aptitude test score.

Category II: Universities Ranked 51–100 in QS Rankings

For students admitted to universities ranked between 51 and 100 in the QS World University Rankings, HEC will provide:

• Tuition support up to US$12,000 per year
• Annual stipend of US$19,200
• Health insurance support of US$2,000 per year

Students are encouraged to obtain additional university funding if required.

Eligibility Criteria for HEC PhD Scholarships

Applicants must fulfill the following conditions:

• Must be Pakistani or AJK nationals.
• Must possess a minimum 16 years of education (BS, BSc, BE or equivalent).
• Should not have more than one second division throughout their academic career.
• Maximum age:
  • 40 years for government employees, university faculty members, and researchers.
  • 35 years for other applicants.
• Applicants should not be receiving any other scholarship.

Preference will be given to students who have already secured admission or are in the admission process at approved universities.

GRE and HEC Test Requirements

Candidates must obtain:

• A valid GRE General score with a minimum required percentile, or
• A valid HEC aptitude test score with at least 60 percent marks.

The score requirement applies to both scholarship categories.

Application Deadlines

HEC has announced separate deadlines for different admission intakes.

Spring/Summer 2027 Intake

Application Deadline: October 30, 2026

Fall 2027 Intake

Application Deadline: March 30, 2027

Students are advised to begin the university admission process early because obtaining admission from top U.S. universities can take several months.

Merit-Based Selection

HEC has clarified that:

• There will be no reserved quota for these scholarships.
• Selection will be made strictly on merit.
• Only the most suitable candidates will be awarded scholarships.
• The latest QS World University Rankings will be used for evaluation.

The U.S.-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor program aims to strengthen higher education and research in Pakistan by sending talented students to leading American universities. The program focuses on producing highly qualified faculty members, researchers, and professionals who can contribute to Pakistan’s educational and economic development.

How to Apply

Students can submit their applications through the HEC scholarship portal after fulfilling the eligibility requirements and obtaining admission to an eligible U.S. university.

Applicants are encouraged to review the complete guidelines, prepare the required documents, and apply before the deadline.