Higher Education Commissions in Pakistan announce research awards and grants

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has announced the HEC Research Awards for 2026-27, inviting applications from researchers and scholars until October 31, 2026. The awards aim to recognize excellence in research and intellectual development through three categories: Best Researcher, Best Young Researcher, and Best Publication.

Eligibility for the Best Researcher category requires at least three years of residency in Pakistan as of January 1, 2026. The Best Young Researcher category is for applicants under 40 years of age with at least one year of residency. The Best Publication category covers scholarly books or journal articles no more than three years old, with a limit of three authors per submission.

Separately, the Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) has opened applications for the Sindh Research Support Program (SRSP) 2026-27. This program offers research grants of up to Rs. 5 million per project for two years. Eligible faculty members from public sector universities in Sindh with PhD or equivalent qualifications may apply until October 23, 2026.

The Sindh HEC is prioritizing research in fields such as climate change, food security, water management, and artificial intelligence, with preference given to projects that align with Sustainable Development Goals or show commercialization potential.