The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has announced the HEC Research Awards 2026–27, inviting Pakistani researchers and scholars to submit applications for recognition of outstanding research and publications.
The awards aim to recognize research excellence, impactful scholarly work, and contributions to Pakistan’s research community. Eligible applicants can apply online through the HEC research portal before the application deadline.
HEC Research Awards 2026–27 Categories
The HEC Research Awards 2026–27 are being offered in three main categories:
- Best Researcher
- Best Young Researcher
- Best Publication, including scholarly books and journal articles
Each category has specific eligibility requirements that applicants should review before submitting their applications.
HEC Research Awards 2026–27 Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the requirements specified by HEC for their respective award category.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Not have been blacklisted by HEC.
- Not have previously received the same HEC Research Award.
- Ensure that their submitted research and publications comply with HEC plagiarism policies.
- Provide accurate information and supporting documents required by HEC.
Best Researcher
Applicants for the Best Researcher category must have been a resident of Pakistan for at least three years as of January 1, 2026.
Best Young Researcher
Applicants for the Best Young Researcher category must:
- Be under 40 years of age as of January 1, 2026.
- Have been a resident of Pakistan for at least one year.
Best Publication
The Best Publication category covers eligible scholarly books and journal articles.
For journal articles, the publication must appear in an HEC-recognized W-category journal and meet the specified publication and citation requirements. According to the announced criteria, eligible publications must have been published within the last three years and have a minimum of 100 citations.
How to Apply for HEC Research Awards 2026–27
Eligible researchers and scholars can submit their applications online through the HEC research portal.
Application Portal: research.hec.gov.pk
Applicants should carefully review the official guidelines and ensure that all required information and documents are submitted before the deadline.
HEC Research Awards 2026–27 Deadline
The deadline to submit applications for the HEC Research Awards 2026–27 is:
October 31, 2026
Applicants are advised to complete their applications before the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues with the online submission process.
Official HEC Guidelines and Contact Information
For complete eligibility requirements, application instructions, and other details, applicants should consult the official HEC Research Awards guidelines.
Official Guidelines: hec.gov.pk/site/HRA
For queries related to the awards, applicants can contact HEC at:
Email: hra@hec.gov.pk
FAQs About HEC Research Awards 2026–27
What are the HEC Research Awards 2026–27?
The HEC Research Awards 2026–27 are an HEC initiative to recognize researchers and scholarly publications that meet the commission’s specified eligibility and research criteria.
What are the categories of HEC Research Awards?
There are three main categories: Best Researcher, Best Young Researcher, and Best Publication.
What is the deadline for HEC Research Awards 2026–27?
The application deadline is October 31, 2026.
Where can I apply for the HEC Research Awards?
Eligible applicants can submit their applications through the HEC research portal at research.hec.gov.pk.
Who can apply for the Best Young Researcher Award?
Applicants must be under 40 years old as of January 1, 2026 and meet the applicable HEC residency and other eligibility requirements.
