HEC Scholarships 2023-US Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program

Pakistani Students can join Fully-Funded PhD Scholarships in top USA Universities through “US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program”. HEC is providing a chance to Pakistani Students to study PhD programs in top US Universities. Interested candidates can apply online for PhD scholarship applications under 2 categories.

Background Information Of US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program

The Education, Science, and Technology Working Group (ESTWG) that Pakistan and the United States established in June 2015, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the President of the United States discussed the idea of establishing a US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor. The Corridor PhD Scholarship Program was approved by ECNEC in January 25, 2017, and revised later in August 2020.

Facts About US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program

US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program Main Goals

• To upgrade the exploration and scholastic limit of the higher education institutions of Pakistan by giving prepared and trained staff who will work on the nature of guidance and progressive examination.

• To significantly boost both the quantity and quality of faculty members employed by higher education institutions (HEIs).

• Under the "Talent Farming component" of the project, the goal is to train approximately 1,000 potential candidates annually for university entrance exams like the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS.

• New research methods that are tailored to Pakistani requirements will be transferred through the program through collaboration between US and Pakistani institutions.

US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Categories Of Scholarship

US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program is offering two categories of scholarships:

• Category 1 - Scholarship (top 50 US Universities in QS Ranking)

• Category 2 - Scholarship (top 300 US Universities in QS Ranking)

• Category 1 - Scholarship (top 50 US Universities in QS Ranking)

For this scholarship category, candidates must have:

• Gotten into one of the top 50 QS World Ranking US universities.

• Valid GRE general score of at least 300 or valid HAT score of at least 60%

• Category 2 - Scholarship (top 300 US Universities in QS Ranking)

For this scholarship category, candidates must have:

• Gotten into one of the top 300 QS World Ranking US universities.

• Valid GRE general score of at least 300 or valid HAT score of at least 60%

Preferred Subject Areas Of Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program

​​​​​​​Following is the list of Priority subject areas in which the scholarship under US-Pak Knowledge corridor is offered effective spring 2023.

Eligibility Criteria Of Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program

• Applicant must be a Pakistani/AJK national.

• Minimum a 4 years bachelor's degree or 16 years formal education.

• 2nd or 3rd divisions in candidate’s entire academic career is not acceptable for both scholarship categories.

• The candidates cannot be availing another scholarship.

• Candidates already with a PhD degree, cannot apply for the scholarship.

• Maximum age limit shall not exceed on the closing date of the scholarship program (maximum 40 for government employee and 35 in other cases)

• HEC ETC Pakistan will conduct a Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) from the short-listed candidates. For more information, please visit the official website of ETC  or ask your query at your query at HEC site

Admission Process For US-Pak Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program 

Candidates have to make sure that they are submitting the application before the deadline, also carefully select the scholarship category and session. Students are advised to carefully read all the requirements and instruction while applying for the scholarship program. Candidates are required to submit accurate information and details. Incomplete applications, fake or forged academic transcripts are not acceptable. To successfully submit the Scholarship Application, applicants should follow the given instructions.

• Interested Candidates can apply through online HEC scholarship portal

• If you are a new user, sign-up by clicking the above link and provide the requested information.

• Create User ID by entering your CNIC Number (without dashes) and set-up a password by receiving a confirmation code (through mobile number and E-mail both).

• After creating and signing in you HEC Portal, Click “Scholarships and Grants” on left “Navigation” and then “US-PAK Knowledge Corridor Application”. 

• Now fill out the scholarship form with the provided instructions on the form.

• Send the scanned copy of application form and other attested documents on the Email address; pmu@hec.gov.pk​. (All documents must be attested by gazette officer of Grade-17 or above.)

• Hard Copies of application and other document are not required at this stage but the short-listed candidates may be asked to submit HEC attested documents later.

After completing their program in the United States, all successful candidates will be required to sign a contract or bond with HEC committing them to serve Pakistan for the specified number of years. A grantee will not be required to pay anything as long as they fulfill their contractual/bond obligation. If a grantee fails to fulfill the service requirement, they will be legally responsible for the cost of their scholarship program in the United States.

Deadline For The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program

The last date to submit scholarship application is 31 December 2022 for the spring 2023 session and 31 March 2023 for the Summer Session 2023. Students are advised to submit their application, one week before the deadline, to avoid any technical issue.

FAQs Regarding Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program

Q. Can a PhD degree holder apply for the Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program?

A. No, a person already holding a PhD Degree cannot apply for the scholarship.

Q. What is the maximum age limit for the scholarship?

A. Maximum age limit shall not exceed on the closing date of the scholarship program (maximum 40 for government employee and 35 in other cases)

Q. What are the two categories of the PhD scholarship?

A. Category 1 - Scholarship (top 50 US Universities in QS Ranking), Category 2 - Scholarship (top 300 US Universities in QS Ranking)

Q. How to get information regarding GRE or HAT?

A. For HAT information, please visit the official website of ETC