The HEC US PhD scholarship 2027 pays for Pakistani students to do a PhD at a QS top 100 university in the United States. The Higher Education Commission offers it under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor, and the last date for the Spring/Summer 2027 intake is 30 October 2026. Fall 2027 applicants have until 30 March 2027.
You must already have admission to an eligible US university before you apply, so students who hold an offer for Spring 2027 should apply now.
Key details
| Organisation | Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Programme | PhD scholarships under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor |
| Study level | PhD only (not Master’s, MS or MS leading to PhD) |
| Universities | US universities in the QS World Rankings top 100 |
| Qualification | Four-year bachelor’s degree (16 years of education) |
| Test | GRE General 300 or more, or HEC HAT 60% or more |
| Age limit | 35 years (40 for eligible government and public sector staff) |
| Last date (Spring/Summer 2027) | 30 October 2026 |
| Last date (Fall 2027) | 30 March 2027 |
| Apply at | scholarship.hec.gov.pk |
Who can apply for the HEC US PhD scholarship
- Pakistani or Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals.
- Holders of a four-year bachelor’s degree such as BS, BSc or BE, or an equivalent 16 years of education.
- No second or third division anywhere in your academic record.
- A GRE General total score of at least 300, or at least 60% in the HEC Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT).
- Age on the closing date: up to 35 years for most applicants, and up to 40 years for regular government employees, regular faculty of public sector universities or government colleges, and regular researchers of approved R&D organisations.
- You must not be receiving any other scholarship.
- You must hold admission to a PhD programme at a US university ranked in the QS top 100.
Scholarship benefits: QS top 50 and top 100
The scholarship has two categories based on your university’s QS ranking.
| Benefit | Category I (QS top 50) | Category II (QS 51 to 100) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Full tuition as per university invoice | Up to US$12,000 a year |
| Stipend | US$19,200 a year | US$19,200 a year |
| Health insurance | US$2,000 a year | US$2,000 a year |
HEC advises applicants to seek funding from their university too. Any gap between what HEC pays and what the university charges may have to be covered by you, especially at Category II universities where HEC tuition support is capped at US$12,000 a year.
How to apply online
- Secure admission to a PhD programme at a US university in the QS top 100. HEC suggests choosing one of its preferred subject areas, so check the official advertisement first.
- Take the GRE General test (300 or more) or the HEC HAT (60% or more) if you do not already have a valid score.
- Go to the HEC scholarship portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk and create an account or log in.
- Select the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD scholarship and fill in the online form.
- Upload the documents the portal asks for, such as your degrees, test score and admission letter.
- Submit before 30 October 2026 for Spring/Summer 2027 or 30 March 2027 for Fall 2027.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a Master’s or MS leading to PhD. Only direct PhD admissions are covered.
- Applying to a university outside the QS top 100. Check the current QS World University Rankings before you accept an offer.
- Checking your age on the wrong date. The limit applies on the closing date of the call.
- Waiting until the last day. Apply early so you have time to fix any errors in your form.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date for the HEC US PhD scholarship 2027?
30 October 2026 for the Spring/Summer 2027 intake and 30 March 2027 for the Fall 2027 intake.
Is GRE required for the HEC US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor scholarship?
You need either a GRE General score of at least 300 or at least 60% in the HEC HAT. One of the two is enough.
Can I apply without admission to a US university?
No. You need admission to a PhD programme at a QS top 100 US university before you apply.
For more funded study options, see our Scholarships section, including the Fulbright Scholar Program 2027.
Note: Always confirm details on the official website before you apply or pay any fee. Great Pak Times is not affiliated with any government body.
Source: Higher Education Commission scholarship portal, with details as reported by ARY News and ProPakistani. Checked 13 October 2026.