PhD Scholarships

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has launched a major opportunity for Pakistani and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) students: fully-funded PhD scholarships in the United States under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project. Designed to elevate research, strengthen human capital, and build global academic ties, this scholarship program invites applications to top QS-ranked US universities for various intakes through 2026.

What the Scholarship Covers

The program offers strong financial and academic support, especially for high-achieving students. Key benefits include:

• Full tuition coverage for students admitted to US universities ranked among the Top 50 QS global rankings.
• For universities ranked 51-300, partial tuition support up to USD 12,000 per year, along with other benefits.
• Monthly living stipends and health insurance for all scholars, ensuring that financial concerns do not hamper research or study.
• Flexibility with multiple intakes: Fall 2025, Spring/Summer 2026, and Fall 2026 admissions are included in the program.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria

This scholarship is competitive and has strict eligibility standards. Some of the main requirements are:

• Must be Pakistani national or AJK resident.
• Hold at least 16 years of education (BS, BE, BSc, or equivalent). An MS/MPhil may strengthen application but isn’t always strictly required unless specified.
• Academic record without 2nd or 3rd division throughout studies. High academic standing matters a lot.
• Age limits: under ~ 35 years for most regular applicants; older age caps (up to ~ 40-45) for government employees, faculty, or researchers.
• Must not already be availing another scholarship that conflicts with this program. Applicants are expected to satisfy GRE-General or HEC HAT score requirements (for some categories), depending on host university ranking.

Fields & Universities

A wide range of fields are accepted — covering STEM, social sciences, humanities, agriculture, health sciences, emerging technologies, water & energy sectors etc.

To maximize opportunities, candidates who already have an admission offer from a top QS-ranked US university often get preference, especially for Top-50 category placements.

Key Deadlines & Intakes

Here are the important intakes and roughly when applications are due:

Intake Season	Application Deadline*
Fall 2025	~ 20 July 2025
Spring/Summer 2026	~ 15 November 2025
Fall 2026	~ 30 April 2026

How to Apply

Here’s a step-by-step summary of what applicants should do:

1. Secure or apply to US universities that are QS-ranked (if possible, get an admission offer first for stronger chance).
2. Collect necessary documents: transcripts, degrees, proof of academic performance (no low divisions), GRE/HAT if required, statement of purpose, recommendation letters.
3. Fill out the HEC online scholarship portal application in the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor scheme.
4. Specify whether you are applying under Top 50 (full tuition) or category 51-300 (partial tuition) category.
5. Follow up on stipend, health insurance, and travel/visa guidelines later.

Why This Opportunity is Important

• It strengthens Pakistan’s research ecosystem by enabling scholars to benefit from US labs, mentorship, and exposure.
• Scholars returning with PhDs from top US institutions can help in academia, R&D, teaching, policy, and innovation sectors.
• For many, this removes the financial barrier to study abroad, which had often been a major obstacle.

Quick Summary Table

Feature	Details
Scholarship Name	US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarships (HEC)
Eligibility	Pakistani/AJK nationals with 16 years education, strong academic record
University Ranking Categories	Top 50 QS and rank 51-300 QS universities
Tuition Coverage	Full at top 50; up to USD 12,000/year for 51-300 category
Other Benefits	Living stipend, health insurance
Fields Accepted	STEM, social sciences, humanities, agriculture, health sciences, etc.
Deadlines / Intakes	Fall 2025, Spring/Summer 2026, Fall 2026

Final Thoughts

If you’re aiming for a PhD abroad but were held back by finances, this fully-funded opportunity could be your game changer. Start preparing your documents now, aim for strong academic scores, and apply as early as possible. For many Pakistani students this could be the chance to bring world-class research experience back home, making a real difference.