HEC Admissions 2025 PhD Scholarships in USA

The Higher Education Commission HEC of Pakistan is offering fully funded PhD scholarships to Pakistani students under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Project. These scholarships provide a unique chance to pursue doctoral studies at some of the world’s top universities in the United States.
HEC Admissions are open for Fall 2025, Spring/Summer 2026, and Fall 2026 admission cycles. This initiative focuses on supporting research and academic excellence by sending talented scholars abroad to study at highly ranked institutions.

Scholarship Highlights

Scholarships cover tuition fees, monthly stipends, and health insurance.

Exclusively for PhD programs MS leading to PhD programs are not eligible.

Preference is given to candidates applying in priority subject areas listed on the HEC website: HEC US-PAK KCSA.

Who Can Apply
To be eligible, applicants must:

Be Pakistani nationals or from Azad Jammu & Kashmir AJK.

Have a minimum of 16 years of formal education, typically a 4-year bachelor’s degree BS/BSc/BE.

Have no 2nd or 3rd division grades throughout their academic record this applies to certain scholarship categories.

Scholarship Categories & Eligibility
Category I:

For candidates admitted to the Top 50 QS World Ranked US Universities overall or subject ranking.

Covers full tuition fees, stipend, and health insurance.

Requirements:

Admission confirmation from a top 50 QS ranked US university.

Valid GRE General Test score of at least 300 or HEC Aptitude Test HEC-AT score of 60% or higher.

Age limits:

Up to 40 years for government employees, public sector faculty, or researchers.

Up to 35 years for other applicants.

Applicants should not be receiving any other scholarship concurrently.

Category II:

For candidates admitted to US universities ranked 51-300 in QS Rankings.

Tuition fee support capped at USD 12,000 per year, plus stipend and health insurance.

Requirements:

Admission in a US university ranked 51-300 overall, with subject ranking up to 100.

GRE score minimum 300 or HEC-AT score minimum 60%.

Same age and scholarship restrictions apply as Category I.

Additional Information

Only applicants meeting all general and category-specific eligibility will be considered.

HEC will select only the most meritorious candidates; not all applicants will receive scholarships.

Preference is given to students admitted to universities within the Top 100 QS US rankings with subject rankings up to 100.

The QS World University Rankings 2025, available on topuniversities.com, will be the official reference for ranking validation.

Important Deadlines
Applications must be submitted via the HEC online portal:
 

Fall 2025 admissions: 20th July 2025

Spring/Summer 2026 admissions: 15th November 2025

Fall 2026 admissions: 30th April 2026

The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD scholarships offer a remarkable pathway for Pakistani scholars to study at prestigious US universities and develop advanced research capabilities. These scholars will play a vital role in Pakistan’s future academic and scientific growth. Prospective applicants should ensure they meet all criteria and submit their applications before the deadlines.