The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched PhD scholarships for Pakistani students to attend the world’s top 100 QS-ranked universities in the United States. These funding opportunities operate under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project and are open to nationals from Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Students who secure admission to universities ranked in the top 50 are eligible for full tuition fee coverage, an annual stipend of $19,000, and health insurance support reaching $2,000. Candidates admitted to institutions ranked between 51 and 100 can receive annual tuition support of up to $12,000.
The scholarship duration lasts for up to 5 years and covers priority research areas including Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences and Management, and Arts and Humanities. Applicants must have finished at least 16 years of formal education and meet specific testing requirements, such as a minimum score of 300 on the GRE General Test and at least 60% in HAT.
While the general age limit for applicants is 35 years, regular government employees, public sector university faculty, and researchers in approved R&D organisations may apply until they reach 40. The HEC does not require IELTS or TOEFL as a separate condition for the application process.
Deadlines for the Spring/Summer 2027 intake fall on 30 October 2026, while the Fall 2027 intake deadline is 30 March 2027. Selected scholars are required to commit to serving in Pakistan once they complete their doctoral studies.
