HEC Announces Research Awards 2026–27 With Prizes Up to Rs. 10 Lac

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has announced the 2026-27 cycle of the HEC Research Awards. Pakistani researchers and scholars can apply for funding prizes up to Rs. 10 lakh in three categories: Best Researcher, Best Young Researcher, and Best Publication. The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2026 by 11:59 pm Pakistan time.

Eligible applicants must be residents of Pakistan for a specific period as of 1 January 2026, depending on the category. The Best Researcher award is Rs. 500,000 and is for those with significant research contributions. The Best Young Researcher award is also Rs. 500,000 for researchers under 40, with a focus on early-career potential.

The Best Publication award is Rs. 1 million for scholarly books or journal articles, with high citation counts and from reputable publishers. Applicants must provide a CV, letters of support, publication copies, and a video demonstrating research impact. The selection process involves administrative screening by HEC and then panel evaluations in specialized groups covering social sciences, physical sciences, and life sciences.