The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship for Pakistani and AJK PhD scholars.
The fellowship will give selected scholars a chance to conduct research for six months at leading universities and research institutions abroad.
What is the last date?
The programme was launched to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Applications opened on October 6, 2026. The last date to apply is October 30, 2026.
What are the fellowship details?
| Detail | Information |
| Programme | Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship |
| Offered by | Higher Education Commission |
| Study level | PhD |
| Research duration | 6 months |
| Eligible applicants | Pakistani and AJK nationals |
| Research location | Foreign university, institute or laboratory |
| Airfare support | Up to $1,300 for a return economy ticket |
| Monthly allowance | Based on the destination country |
| Bench fee | Reimbursement available for eligible cases |
What research areas are included?
HEC is inviting research proposals related to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The research can focus on his vision and thought, leadership and statesmanship, his role and contributions, his legacy and ideals, political thought, social thought or his constitutional thought.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals. They must be enrolled as full-time PhD students at a recognised university in Pakistan.
Additionally, they must have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework.
They must also have completed at least 18 months of their PhD. They should not have completed more than 3.5 years of PhD enrolment when they apply.
For the current batch, applicants must meet the required PhD enrolment period under the fellowship rules.
What test is required?
Applicants must have passed either the GAT Subject Test or the university admission test used for their PhD admission.
Candidates must keep proof of their test result. They may need to submit it with their application.
Is an approved research topic required?
Applicants must already have an approved PhD research topic and synopsis.
The topic must be approved by the relevant academic authorities at their university. It must also match the aims and research areas of the Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship.
Applicants must get the required recommendation and approval documents from their university and PhD supervisor.
Is acceptance from a foreign university required?
Applicants must get an official acceptance or invitation from a foreign university, institute or laboratory before applying.
The host institution must be a leading international institution. It must meet HEC’s ranking requirements under the QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
What financial support is available?
The fellowship will provide return economy airfare of up to $1,300.
Selected scholars will also receive a monthly living allowance. The amount will depend on the country where they conduct their research.
| Country | Monthly allowance |
| United States | $1,500 |
| United Kingdom | £750 |
| Germany | €975 |
| Austria | €975 |
| Netherlands | €975 |
| China | $800 |
| South Korea | $800 |
| Malaysia | $800 |
Eligible scholars can also receive reimbursement for the bench fee.
What documents are required?
Applicants must prepare the documents required by HEC.
These include:
- Acceptance or invitation letter from the foreign host institution
- Foreign supervisor’s proforma and CV
- Approved PhD research synopsis
- Recommendation from the local PhD supervisor
- Updated CV
- Passport copy
- Academic documents
- Proof of GAT Subject Test or university admission test
How to apply?
Eligible PhD scholars must submit their applications through the online Google Form provided by HEC for the Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship.
Applicants must complete all required sections and upload the requested academic, research and identification documents.
They must also provide proof of acceptance from an eligible foreign institution. Details of both their local and foreign research supervisors must also be submitted.
HEC may reject incomplete applications or applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements.
