HEC National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) 2026-27 — Call for Research Proposals

Issuer: Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, Pakistan. HEC invites project outlines under the National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) 2026-27 to support high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary and solution-oriented research with strategic relevance to Pakistan’s socio-economic development, industry and society.

Eligible research domains:

Key submission and eligibility points:

• Submission is a two-stage process (Project Outline and, for shortlisted proposals, Full Proposal). Only shortlisted PIs at stage one will be invited to submit detailed proposals (stage two).
• Project outlines must be submitted through the HEC online portal (details and guidelines available on the HEC website).
• Application fee: Rs. 5,000 must be deposited online via available electronic banking channels (mobile banking / internet banking / 1LINK SBP service).
• Important: Universities having more than five (05) delayed/unsettled cases are not eligible to apply.
• Maximum project duration: 24 months.
• General information, eligibility criteria, detailed application guidelines and templates are available on HEC’s NRPU web pages.
• International collaboration is encouraged; applicants from Pakistani universities are encouraged to submit joint research proposals with researchers and institutions in eligible international partner countries.

Deadline for project outline submission: 2026-10-30 (Friday).

Contact for queries:

For full guidelines, submission portal and updates visit the HEC website (Higher Education Commission, Islamabad).