The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has officially opened applications for PhD Scholarships in the United States under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project.
This flagship initiative offers fully funded and partially funded doctoral opportunities for Pakistani and AJK scholars at the Top 100 QS World-Ranked Universities across the United States.
Funding Categories & Benefits
The funding structure is categorized based on the host university’s QS World Ranking:
1. Top 50 QS Universities Category
- Tuition: Full Tuition Fee coverage.
- Living Stipend: USD 19,000 annual living allowance.
- Health Insurance: USD 2,000 annual health insurance coverage.
2. Rank 51–100 QS Universities Category
- Tuition: Up to USD 12,000 per year towards tuition.
- Additional Benefits: Monthly living stipend and annual health insurance support.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Open exclusively to Pakistani and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) nationals.
- Academic Background: Minimum of 16 years of education (4-year BS/BE) for direct PhD entry or 18 years (MS/MPhil) from HEC-recognized institutions.
- Test Requirements: Valid GRE General score (minimum 300 total) or HEC Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) score (minimum 60%).
- Age Limit: Up to 35 years for regular candidates; up to 40 years for regular faculty members of public sector universities and R&D organizations.
Important Application Deadlines
Applicants can apply for two upcoming academic intakes:
- Spring / Summer 2027 Intake Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Fall 2027 Intake Deadline: March 30, 2027
How to Apply Online
- Interested candidates must register and submit their online applications on the official HEC Scholarship Portal.
- For complete guidelines, project background, and eligible university lists, visit the official US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Page.
