The Higher Education Commission (HEC) commenced accepting applications for Batch 60 of the International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP). This initiative provides a six-month research placement abroad for Pakistani and AJK nationals currently enrolled in full-time PhD programmes.
To qualify, applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals who are studying full-time PhD programmes at a university recognised by the HEC. Furthermore, candidates are required to have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours of PhD coursework.
Applicants must also show evidence of completing at least 18 months of PhD study and must not have exceeded three and a half years at the time of application. For Batch 60 specifically, the HEC requires that eligible candidates began their PhD enrolment between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025.
Passing the GAT Subject Test or the admission test set by their own university remains a mandatory requirement for applicants. Candidates must also secure an official acceptance or invitation letter from a research institute, laboratory, or university located in a developed country.
The proposed foreign supervisor must hold a full-time faculty position at the level of Assistant Professor or higher. Selected scholars can receive an economy-class return air ticket valued up to $1,300.
Financial support varies by destination; scholars going to the United States can receive up to $1,500 per month allowance. For those travelling to the United Kingdom, the monthly allowance provided reaches up to £750.
The monthly allowance stands at €975 for scholars heading to Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. Support for scholars travelling to other European nations is set at a maximum of €900 monthly.
China, Korea, and Malaysia offer a potential monthly allowance of up to $800 for scholars. HEC may also offer assistance covering approved bench fees for the scholars.
Required documentation includes the foreign host institution's official acceptance letter, the supervisor’s updated CV, and the supervisor’s completed HEC proforma. Candidates must submit proof of approval for their PhD research topic and synopsis, alongside a recommendation letter from their local PhD supervisor.
All eligible candidates must submit their applications via the designated HEC scholarship portal.
