International Research Support Initiative Program

	International Research Support Initiative Program
Introduction Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is offering this six month research fellowship abroad to full time PhD students enrolled in Pakistan to enhance their research capabilities. It is of utmost importance that the doctoral studies carried out in Pakistan are of a standard that is at par with any international reputed institution. This is only possible if candidates are provided with adequate support in research projects. This may be a problem because of the paucity of resources in Pakistan therefore the scheme is helping to provide doctoral students exposure internationally so they could carry out research projects of high standard. The scheme is also assisting ongoing Indigenous PhD programs by providing a mechanism for PhD scholars to travel abroad and conduct research in advanced industrialized countries for a period upto 6 months. This is providing exposure to the PhD scholars which will enhance the quality of research that they will be conducting in Pakistan. It is also serving to develop linkages between Pakistani and foreign institutions. Objectives Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is offering a six month research fellowship abroad to full time PhD students enrolled in Pakistan to enhance their research capabilities. The objectives of the program are: To enhance the quality of doctoral research in Pakistan. To create a critical mass of highly qualified manpower that could contribute towards the development of Pakistan. To facilitate assimilation, absorption and transfer of important and promising scientific and technological knowledge information to achieve repaid economic progress. To provide opportunities to doctoral students for training/ research work at advanced research labs of reputed universities abroad and to interact with foreign scientist working at frontiers of knowledge. To explore avenues for further collaboration internationally. To introduce Pakistani talent globally. To disseminate information about research in Pakistan. To bring standard of doctoral research at par with international standards.   Eligibility Criteria Any full time AJK/Pakistani national PhD student: Who has completed at least one year of PhD studies at Public Sector University/ Institution which has adopted HEC guideline for M.Phil and PhD studies while being engaged in thesis related research. Who has an approved PhD research topic and synopsis by the Board of Advanced Studies and Research (BASR) or Directorate of Advanced Studies and Research (DASR) or equivalent body of the university "Who has an official acceptance/invitation letter for research from a foreign university/institute/lab of international repute (Preference will be given to top 500 universities as per Times Ranking of World Universities)". Those Scholars who are already availing any other HEC scholarship are also eligible to apply provided they submit NOC from their concerned HEC officer.  How to Apply Download Application Form Submit application form to the Project Director after filling as per instructions given, alongwith the documents listed below. There is no last date for submission of applications. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as they are eligible and fulfill the basic criteria. Incomplete applications will not be entertained and will be discarded. Required Documents Annexure-1 Application form. Annexure-2 Foreign university acceptance letter(s), in order of preference ( Preference will be given to top 500 universities ) Annexure-3 CV of proposed foreign supervisor (if available). Annexure-4 BASR/DASR approval showing approved PhD research topic. Annexure-5 Local supervisor recommendation letter. Annexure-6 NOC from concerned HEC officer (if already availing any other HEC scholarship). Annexure-7 NOC from department/organisation (if employed/ on study leave). Annexure-8 CV of applicant. Annexure-9 Copy of passport. Annexure-10 Attested Copies of academic documents. Annexure-11 PhD thesis synopsis. Annexure-12 List of Publication and conferences. Note:The acceptance letter (annexure 2 above) must be from one of the approved foreign universities. Acceptance/ invitation letter(s) must show at least following: Brief overview of work to be carried out during the foreign visit. Duration of research in months. Bench fee amount if required. No claim of bench fee will be entertained if not mentioned in the original offer letter. Terms and conditions of the invitation, if any. Complete address, contact details (phone, fax, email) of the proposed foreign professor.  Download Application Form Other Related Information How to report on your return? Following documents are to be submitted on your return to Pakistan after completion of visit: 1- Filled copy of IRSIP Feedback Performa (download form). 2- Report by your foreign supervisor on your six months work. 3- Joining report at your local university through your local PhD supervisor. 4- Comments of your local PhD supervisor on your visit. 5- Copies of passport information page and pages stamped with exit from and entry to Pakistan.  Fellowship Package Economy class returns airfare up to Rs 115,000.00. Living allowance: Living allowance for different countries:  Country Living allowance per month UK £ 750.00 Austria, Germany, Netherlands € 975.00 Rest of Europe € 900.00 USA $ 1500.00 Korea, China, Malaysia $ 800.00 Rest of world $ 1200.00 Bench Fee:   Maximum amount of bench fee allowed per scheme in different currencies are given in the following table. Currencies Amount US Dollar $ 3500 Pound Sterling £ 1750 Euro € 2550 Australian Dollar $ 4100 Canadian Dollar $ 3700  The bench fee will be paid to the University directly via wire transfer against the invoice of the amount as mentioned in the offer/invitation letter.     Terms & Conditions Selected candidates will be required to enter into a bond with HEC to return and complete their PhD studies at their parent universities. (Click here to download specimen) Selected candidates will have to avail the scholarship within six month from the date of issue of award letter or before any such date as specified by HEC.   FAQs Is there any last date or deadline for submission of applications? There is no deadline or last date for submission of applications. Applicants can apply whole long the year as soon as they fulfill basic requirements of the scholarship.   How much time HEC requires for application processing and selection process? It takes round about a month and a half to process the applications and declare results. Usually time span of 15-20 days is given to selected applicants to submit the required documents such as surety bond, bench fee invoice, university account information etc. Following this, final award letters are issued.   How selection will be made? HEC has established a Selection Committee for the selection of scholars under the scheme. The Committee consists of HEC officials, former VCs of known universities and prominent Researchers/ Professors of international repute from Pakistan. The Committee meeting is scheduled monthly to consider the pending cases.   Will HEC coordinate visa endorsement process for the selected scholars? HEC will only provide award letter stating the financial support and other terms & conditions of the award. Scholars can use this as supporting document to apply for visa.   Will HEC pay visa fee? HEC do not provide any amounts such as visa application fee, health insurance fee etc.   How funds will be released? No funds can be released in favor of the scholar before visa endorsement. Two month advance stipend is provided to the scholar in the form of Cross Cheque before leaving. Remaining four month stipend will be paid to the scholar through respective Pakistan High Commission/ Embassy. However, scholars proceeding to USA will be provided six month stipend in advance before they leave. These will submit us their joining report through their foreign supervisor. Bench/ tuition fees will be directly paid to the foreign university against an invoice raised by the university. Any amount over and above the fellowship package will be covered by the scholar himself.   Air travel cost will be paid to the Travel Agency directly.   How much time HEC requires to release funds?  Advance stipend & ticket                  2-3 weeks Four month stipend                         4-5 Weeks Bench fee                                      4-5 Weeks   What are the progress report requirements of HEC? Scholars will be required to submit progress report on their research work on Performa as prescribed by HEC. This report could be asked every two months, three months or at end of the research project as specified by HEC. However, at the end of the project every scholar is required to submit detailed report on the six month work through foreign supervisor along with copies of research papers produced.   Can a PhD student avail the scholarship twice? No PhD student can avail the scholarship for the second time.