ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited applications from Pakistani students for PhD scholarships at the top 100 universities in the United States under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Programme for the 2027 academic intake.
The scholarship programme aims to provide talented Pakistani students with opportunities to pursue advanced research and higher education at globally ranked American universities.
According to the HEC, only Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) nationals are eligible to apply. Applicants must have completed at least 16 years of education, including a four-year bachelor’s degree, and must not have any second or third division in their academic record.
The maximum age limit is 36 years. However, the age limit has been relaxed to 40 years for government employees, faculty members of public-sector universities, and researchers. Applicants must also not have previously received an HEC scholarship.
The programme has been divided into two scholarship categories.
The first category covers admission to the top 50 US universities in the QS World University Rankings. Successful candidates will receive full tuition fee coverage, an annual stipend of $19,200, and up to $2,000 in health insurance.
Applicants must secure admission to a qualifying university and obtain either a minimum GRE score of 300 or 60 per cent in the HEC Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT).
The second category covers universities ranked 51st to 100th. Under this category, the scholarship provides up to $12,000 annually for tuition fees, a $19,200 annual stipend, and up to $2,000 in health insurance. Admission to an eligible university and the required GRE or HAT score are mandatory.
According to the HEC, applications for Spring and Summer 2027 admissions can be submitted until October 30, 2026, while the deadline for Fall 2027 admissions is March 30, 2027.
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