The HEC IRSIP Fellowship gives full-time PhD scholars in Pakistan a six-month research placement abroad. IRSIP stands for the International Research Support Initiative Program. In addition, its aim is to raise the quality of doctoral research and to build linkages between Pakistani institutions and foreign institutions. This guide explains who can apply, what selected scholars receive, which documents are required, and how to apply through the official HEC portal.
What the HEC IRSIP Fellowship Is
IRSIP is a six-month research fellowship abroad for full-time PhD students. It supports research work at a foreign university or research institute. The programme aims to raise doctoral research quality and build linkages between Pakistani and foreign institutions.
The fellowship is for research only. However, it does not fund a full degree abroad. Scholars carry out part of their doctoral research at the host institution and return to complete their PhD in Pakistan.
Who Can Apply
Nationality and enrolment
Applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals. In addition, they must be full-time PhD students at a recognised Pakistani university. Furthermore, they must have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework.
Coursework and duration
At application, applicants must have at least 18 months and at most 3.5 years of PhD enrolment. Specifically, for this window, PhD enrolment must fall in Spring 2023 to Spring 2025 inclusive. Therefore, this enrolment window is the reported Batch 60 window, anchored to the official 1 to 30 October 2026 application window.
Test and synopsis
Applicants must have passed the local GAT Subject Test or the University Admission Test. In addition, they must have an approved PhD topic and synopsis, approved by BASR, DASR or an equivalent body.
Foreign host and supervisor
Applicants need an official acceptance or invitation letter from a foreign university or research institute. In addition, the host must be in a developed country and be top-ranked overall or subject-wise under THE or QS. Furthermore, the foreign supervisor must be full-time, at Assistant Professor level or above, and must not be a former supervisor of the local supervisor.
NOC and same-supervisor rule
Scholars on another HEC scholarship must follow the NOC rule for that scholarship. In addition, where two or more applicants share the same local supervisor, they need different foreign supervisors and different foreign universities.
What Selected Scholars Receive
Airfare
Selected scholars receive economy return airfare of up to USD 1,300 once. Furthermore, the tickets are arranged by IRSIP-HEC.
Living allowance
The monthly living allowance depends on the host country or region. Specifically, the rates below are the confirmed official monthly rates.
| Host country or region | Monthly living allowance |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £750 |
| Austria, Germany, Netherlands | €975 |
| Rest of Europe | €900 |
| United States (USA) | $1,500 |
| Korea, China, Malaysia | $800 |
| Rest of the world | $1,200 |
Bench fee
A bench fee is paid only if it is demanded in the acceptance letter at selection. However, the scholar pays first, and HEC reimburses on a paid invoice showing the name, purpose, duration and host university. Finally, the maxima below apply.
| Currency | Maximum bench fee |
|---|---|
| US dollars (USD) | $3,500 |
| British pounds (GBP) | £1,750 |
| Euros (EUR) | €2,550 |
| Australian dollars (AUD) | AUD 4,100 |
| Canadian dollars (CAD) | CAD 3,700 |
Documents Required
Applicants must upload 13 items. Therefore, only an application with status Submitted counts as complete. In fact, a Saved application is incomplete.
- Acceptance and proforma: foreign acceptance or invitation letter on letterhead, in preference order; HEC proforma signed by the foreign supervisor.
- Supervisor records: foreign supervisor CV (Assistant Professor or above); local supervisor recommendation signed and stamped; local supervisor CV.
- Approvals and synopsis: BASR or DASR approval; complete approved synopsis.
- Applicant records: applicant CV; passport copy (or token slip); academic documents from Bachelor’s onward, including the PhD coursework transcript.
- Tests and NOCs: GAT Subject Test or University Admission Test copy; NOCs if applicable.
The acceptance letter must come from the head of department, a senior professor or an associate. However, it must not come from a Lecturer, Lab Instructor or expert. In addition, it must state the work overview, facilities, research plan, duration, bench fee if required, terms and supervisor contact details.
How to Apply
First, the portal is open from 1 October 2026 to 30 October 2026. Apply to the HEC IRSIP fellowship through the official HEC scholarship portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk. In addition, the label Batch 60 is a reported press label; the official pages confirm the window but do not use the Batch 60 label.
Next, on the portal, complete your profile, upload the documents in preference order, and review everything before submitting. Then, after submission, check that your status shows Submitted. A Saved status means the application is incomplete.
Keep hard copies of all documents ready for any later verification. Do not wait until the last day to apply, so that you have time to fix any missing document.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving the application as Saved instead of Submitted, so it does not count as complete.
- Using an acceptance letter signed by a Lecturer, Lab Instructor or expert instead of the head of department, senior professor or associate.
- Uploading an acceptance letter that omits the work overview, facilities, research plan, duration, bench fee if required, terms or supervisor contact details.
- Missing the NOC where another HEC scholarship requires one.
- Applying without checking the enrolment window, test result or approved synopsis.
FAQs
How long is the IRSIP fellowship? It is a six-month research placement abroad for full-time PhD scholars.
Who can apply for the HEC IRSIP fellowship? Full-time PhD scholars at recognised Pakistani universities who meet the enrolment, coursework, test and host requirements in this guide.
Does IRSIP pay a bench fee? In fact, only if the acceptance letter demands it at selection. However, the scholar pays first, and HEC reimburses on a paid invoice.
Where do I apply? First, apply through scholarship.hec.gov.pk between 1 and 30 October 2026. Finally, only a Submitted status counts as complete.
Official Source
HEC portal: https://scholarship.hec.gov.pk
Related reading on this site:
HEC scholarships for Pakistani students abroad: https://8171passgov.com.pk/hec-sends-257-pakistani-students-abroad/
Balochistan foreign PhD scholarship: https://8171passgov.com.pk/beef-foreign-phd-scholarship-2026/
Scholarship application and eligibility checks: https://8171passgov.com.pk/cm-scholarship-program-online-application/
More scholarships and fellowships on 8171passgov: https://8171passgov.com.pk/
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