The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced PhD scholarships for Pakistani students at the world’s top 100 QS-ranked universities in the United States, offering an annual stipend of $19,000, tuition fee support, and health insurance.
The scholarships are available under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) nationals seeking admission to eligible US universities for the 2027 academic session.
According to HEC’s official announcement, students who secure admission to universities ranked among the top 50 can receive full tuition fee coverage, an annual stipend of $19,000, and health insurance support of up to $2,000.
Meanwhile, candidates admitted to universities ranked between 51 and 100 can receive tuition fee support of up to $12,000 annually, along with a stipend and health insurance.
The application deadline for the Spring/Summer 2027 intake is October 30, 2026, while candidates seeking admission for Fall 2027 can apply until March 30, 2027.
HEC PhD Scholarships 2027: Financial Benefits
The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project offers two scholarship categories based on the overall QS World University Rankings of eligible US institutions.
The first category covers universities ranked among the top 50, while the second applies to universities ranked from 51 to 100.
| Scholarship Benefits | Top 50 Universities | Universities Ranked 51–100 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | Full coverage | Up to $12,000 annually |
| Annual Stipend | $19,000 | Stipend provided |
| Health Insurance | Up to $2,000 | Health insurance provided |
| Degree Level | PhD | PhD |
| Scholarship Duration | Up to 5 years | Up to 5 years |
Eligibility Criteria for HEC PhD Scholarships
Pakistani and AJK nationals can apply for the scholarships if they meet the academic and eligibility requirements set by HEC.
Applicants must have completed at least 16 years of formal education, including a four-year bachelor’s degree such as BS, BSc, BE or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
According to HEC’s published eligibility guidelines, candidates must not have a second or third division anywhere in their academic careers. Applicants should also check the conditions in the relevant 2027 scholarship call before submission.
The maximum age limit is 35 years for general applicants. However, regular government employees, faculty members of public sector universities and government colleges, and researchers working in approved research and development organisations can apply up to the age of 40.
Candidates must not be receiving another scholarship at the time of application. Applicants who already hold a PhD degree are also ineligible for the scheme.
The scholarship covers doctoral studies only. It does not cover standalone master’s degrees, MS programs, or MS-leading-to-PhD programs.
Applicants must also secure admission to a qualifying US university under the relevant scholarship category.
GRE and HAT Requirements for HEC Scholarships
HEC requires applicants to provide a valid Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test score or Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) result.
Candidates must achieve at least 300 marks in the GRE General Test or obtain a minimum score of 60% in HAT to meet the published test requirement.
Students applying under the top-50 category must secure admission to a university ranked among the first 50 institutions in the overall QS World University Rankings.
Similarly, applicants for the second category must obtain admission to an eligible US university ranked between 51 and 100.
HEC does not require IELTS or TOEFL as a separate condition for applying to the scholarship. However, individual US universities can require these tests or other evidence of English-language proficiency during their admission process.
Priority Fields for HEC PhD Scholarships
The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project supports doctoral research in academic disciplines relevant to Pakistan’s higher education and research needs.
HEC’s published priority areas include Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences and Management, and Arts and Humanities.
The commission identifies biotechnology, bioinformatics, computational biology, cancer biology, pharmaceutical sciences and agricultural sciences among its preferred research areas.
Engineering and Technology fields include Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Software Engineering, Sustainable Energy, Water Management and Environmental Engineering.
The priority list also includes Education, Public Policy, Rural Development, Urban Planning and Creative Arts and Design.
HEC’s publicly available detailed subject list refers to earlier scholarship intakes. Candidates should confirm which research fields qualify for the 2027 scholarship cycle before applying.
How to Apply for HEC PhD Scholarships 2027
Interested candidates must submit their scholarship applications through HEC’s official online scholarship portal.
Applicants who do not already have an account must register using their CNIC number without dashes. They must also provide a valid mobile number and email address to complete the verification process.
After creating an account, candidates should sign in and complete their personal and academic profiles.
Applicants must then open the Scholarships and Grants section, select the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor application, and provide the required information.
The application form asks candidates to enter their academic qualifications, research interests, professional experience, and details of their proposed doctoral studies.
Applicants should review their information carefully before submitting the form. HEC can reject applications containing incorrect or misleading information.
The commission’s application instructions also require candidates to submit scanned copies of their application forms and relevant supporting documents through the designated scholarship email process.
HEC does not require hard copies at the initial application stage, although shortlisted candidates may need to provide additional verified documents later.
Documents Required for HEC PhD Scholarships
Applicants should prepare their academic and identification documents before completing the scholarship application.
HEC’s guidance identifies educational degrees and transcripts, CNIC, domicile, and passport information among the documents required during the scholarship process.
Candidates must also provide their valid GRE or HAT results and details of their admission to an eligible US university.
Applicants should prepare information about their proposed research, intended field of specialisation, and the university where they plan to pursue their PhD.
The commission can request contact details of the proposed academic supervisor and the relevant university graduate school.
Government employees and other candidates claiming professional experience may also need to submit employment or experience certificates.
Scholarship Duration and Service Requirements
HEC offers financial support under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project for a maximum period of five years, subject to the approved scholarship conditions.
The commission also requires successful candidates to commit to serving in Pakistan after completing their doctoral studies.
Selected scholars must fulfil the terms of the scholarship agreement, including the applicable return-to-Pakistan and service obligations.
Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of their scholarship agreements can face financial liabilities under the relevant rules.
Visit EduNation to find scholarships from around the world.
The post QS Top-100 US Universities to Give Fully-Funded Scholarships to Pakistani Students appeared first on ProPakistani.