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HEC Pakistan’s current US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor announcement is for PhD admissions in 2027, not a 2026 study intake. It lists deadlines of 30 October 2026 for Spring/Summer 2027 and 30 March 2027 for Fall 2027. The first date is approaching, so confirm the active notice and portal status before applying. The award is not fully funded in every category: Category I tuition is listed as fully funded, while Category II tuition support is capped at USD 12,000 a year.
What the scholarship covers—and who it is for
The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor is a Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) scholarship for Pakistani citizens and AJK nationals pursuing a PhD at a US university. HEC’s FAQ lists funding for tuition, a stipend, health insurance support and return airfare. The precise tuition coverage depends on the scholarship category.
HEC’s 2027-admissions announcement promotes scholarships for top 100 QS-ranked US universities. Its FAQ describes category eligibility using different ranking bands, including universities ranked up to 300 overall or subject ranks 51–100. Because the announcement and FAQ do not describe the same scope, use the current-cycle advertisement and HEC portal to establish which category and universities are available to you.
Read HEC’s program FAQ and check its 2027 admissions announcement.
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Eligibility requirements
HEC’s FAQ gives these general conditions:
- You must be a Pakistani citizen or AJK national.
- You must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree representing 16 years of formal education.
- You must not have a second or third division in your academic career.
- You must not already hold another scholarship.
- You must not already have a PhD.
- Your age on the application closing date must be no more than 35, or no more than 40 if you are a regular government employee, a regular faculty member at a public-sector university or college, or a researcher at an approved R&D organization.
For the score-based categories, HEC lists either a GRE General total score of at least 300 or a HAT score of at least 60%. The FAQ ties these score requirements to admission at universities in its stated ranking bands. The newer 2027 announcement’s top-100 wording differs from the FAQ’s broader bands, so verify the applicable ranking and category rules for this cycle before relying on either description.
GRE, HAT and English-language tests
GRE General and HAT are alternative score routes in HEC’s listed requirements; the FAQ does not make paid test-preparation material a condition of applying. TOEFL and IELTS are not requirements of HEC’s scholarship project. A US university may nevertheless require an English test for admission or a tuition waiver, and its accepted tests and thresholds are institution-specific. Ask each graduate school directly.
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Funding by category
The amounts below are the terms listed in HEC’s FAQ, accessed in 2026. They are not a guarantee that every applicant’s total cost will be met; in particular, Category II has a tuition ceiling.
| Benefit | Category I | Category II |
|---|---|---|
| University ranking band in HEC FAQ | QS top 50 | QS ranks 51–300 overall, or subject ranks 51–100 |
| Tuition support | Fully funded tuition | Up to USD 12,000 annually |
| Annual stipend | USD 19,200 | USD 19,200 |
| Annual health insurance support | USD 2,000 or actual cost, whichever is lower | USD 2,000 or actual cost, whichever is lower |
| Return airfare | PKR 250,000 | PKR 250,000 |
These are HEC’s published figures, not independent estimates of the cost of studying in the United States. For Category II, compare the university’s tuition bill with the USD 12,000 annual maximum; any amount above the support limit may leave a funding gap. Do not assume other expenses are covered unless the current award terms say so.
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How to apply
- Review the current HEC notice and confirm that your intended US university, program and ranking category qualify for the 2027 cycle.
- Secure admission and meet the applicable GRE General or HAT score requirement. Check separately whether your university requires TOEFL, IELTS or other admission materials.
- Register on HEC’s scholarship portal and complete your account and profile.
- In the portal, open the Scholarships and Grants section and select the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor application. Complete and submit it online by the applicable deadline.
- Prepare scanned supporting documents for upload. HEC’s instructions say hard copies may also be requested later.
See HEC’s application instructions for the portal process and document requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Deadlines and obligations
HEC’s official announcement gives these deadlines for 2027 admissions:
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| Intake | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring/Summer 2027 | 30 October 2026 |
| Fall 2027 | 30 March 2027 |
The dates are from HEC’s announcement accessed on 8 October 2026; deadlines and portal status can change. Confirm the live notice before submitting. HEC also requires scholarship recipients to commit to serving in Pakistan after completing their studies, and states a maximum grant duration of five years. Review the applicable undertaking and award terms so you understand the service obligation before accepting funding.
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