US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program

The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program provides an exceptional opportunity for talented Pakistani individuals who wish to pursue doctoral studies at leading colleges in the United States. This project, led by Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) in conjunction with the US government, seeks to strengthen Pakistan's human capital and research capacities by training a new generation of highly competent professionals.

The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor program was launched as a long-term strategic plan with the goal of sending 10,000 Pakistani academics to US colleges for PhD studies over the next decade. Phase I of this ambitious endeavor seeks to provide 1,000 PhD scholarships. The program's goal is to develop a pool of trained personnel capable of improving educational standards and fostering innovative research in Pakistan's higher education institutions. Beyond individual academic progress, it promotes collaboration between Pakistani and US universities, resulting in the transfer of cutting-edge research approaches relevant to Pakistan's specific needs.

Scholarship Categories

The scholarship normally provides multiple categories based on the ranking of the host US University:

• Category I - Scholarship (Top 50 QS World Ranked US Universities): For applicants who have been accepted to a US university ranked in the top 50 globally by QS.
• Category II - Scholarship (Top 300 QS World Ranked US Universities): For applicants who have been accepted to a US institution ranked in the top 300 (51-300) globally by QS, or in the top 100 in a QS subject-wise ranking.

Programs Offered

While any academic topic is technically eligible for PhD degrees, the program prioritizes areas that coincide with Pakistan's development goals. Priority topic areas typically include:

• Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences: Crop Production, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology, Breeding, Nutrition, Reproduction, Health, Dairy Science, and Veterinary Biotechnology.
• Biological and biomedical sciences include computational biology and bioinformatics, medical biotechnology, cancer biology, pharmacology, and nanotechnology (Nanomedicines and their application in cancer research).
• Engineering and technology disciplines include water management and sustainability, sustainable energy system engineering, urban planning, climate change and environmental engineering, biotechnology/bioengineering, and land and water resource engineering.
• Social sciences include rural development studies, urban planning, water management and sustainability, and sustainable energy.

Benefits

The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship is a fully financed program that provides comprehensive financial support to qualified candidates. The benefits usually include:

• Full Tuition Fee Coverage: The program pays the full tuition at the host US University.
• Monthly Stipend: A large annual stipend (e.g., $19,200 USD) to pay living expenses.
• Health Insurance coverage (for example, $2,000 USD per year).
• Airfare: A round-trip ticket to the United States.
• Initial Settlement stipend: Certain categories are eligible for an initial settlement stipend (e.g., $5,000 USD) to assist with relocation costs.
• Access to World-Class Education: The opportunity to study at top-tier US universities, getting exposure to innovative research methodology and global academic networks.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program, applicants must meet certain requirements. While specifics may differ significantly with each application cycle, the general requirements are:

• Nationality: Must be Pakistani or AJK national.
• Education: You must hold an MS or M.Phil. Degree from a HEC-accredited university, which requires 18 years of education. If you have a 4-year Bachelor's degree, that's great, as long as it fits the standards for direct admission to a PhD program at a US university.
• Academic Record: A good academic foundation is essential. In general, applicants should have no more than two 2nd divisions in their academic record and no 3rd divisions or grade D. Minimum of 50% in their academic career.
• Age Limit: Regular faculty members of public sector universities/government institutions, as well as researchers from approved/registered R&D organizations, have a maximum age of 40 years. All other applicants are limited to a maximum age of 35.
• Test Scores: A valid GRE-General score (minimum 300 total) OR a HAT (Higher Education Aptitude Test) score of 60%. However, GRE-General or HAT scores may not be necessary if admission is achieved with a full tuition waiver from a US university (particularly for Category II).
  While proper TOEFL or IELTS scores are not a requirement for the HEC scholarship application, they are frequently required for admission to US universities.
• Admission Status (Preferred): Candidates who have already been admitted (with or without a tuition waiver, depending on the category) to a US university are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Commitment to Serve: All successful candidates must sign a bond with HEC committing to return to Pakistan immediately after completing their PhD and serve the country for a set number of years (usually five years).

How to Apply

Here's a quick guide on how to apply for the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program:

• Register: Visit the HEC scholarship portal (like https://scholarships.hec.gov.pk/), sign up as a new user using your CNIC, and complete the verification.
• Fill Out Your Profile: Log in, find Scholarships and Grants, choose US-PAK Knowledge Corridor Application, and fill out the application form with your details.
• Submit Your Application: After completing the form, send it in. You’ll need to email scanned, attested copies of your application and any supporting documents (like transcripts, test scores, and your admission letter if you have one) to the specified HEC email (such as pmu@hec.gov.pk). Make sure to keep a downloaded copy for your records.
• Shortlisting and Interviews: Only those selected for shortlisting will need to send hard copies of their documents and attend interviews.

FAQs

1. Is the scholarship available every year?

Yes, the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program is usually offered each year to help send a good number of Pakistani scholars to the US.

2. Do I need to get into a US university before I apply for the scholarship?

It's definitely helpful to have admission (with or without a tuition waiver), but you can still apply if you have valid GRE/HAT scores and a good academic record. HEC might help with the admission process for candidates who are shortlisted and have partnerships with US universities.

3. Do I need TOEFL or IELTS scores to apply for the HEC scholarship?

No, you don’t need TOEFL or IELTS scores to apply for the HEC scholarship itself. But keep in mind that most US universities require these scores for admission, and they can help with getting tuition waivers.

4. What if I don’t go back to Pakistan after my studies?

All winners of the scholarship must sign a bond with HEC, promising to return to Pakistan and serve for a certain period after finishing their studies. If you don’t do this, you might be held responsible for paying back the scholarship costs.

5. What is Talent Farming?

Talent Farming is a part of the program that trains future PhD scholars for entrance exams like the GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS, often at reduced rates. You can usually find info about these training sessions on the HEC website.

6. Can I apply with a 16-year bachelor's degree?

Yes, if you have a 4-year bachelor's degree (which counts as 16 years of education), it's acceptable for direct admission into a PhD program at a US university.