HEC research awards 2026-27 offer Rs1 million prize for top publication
Research awards with major cash prizes
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for its Research Awards 2026-27 to recognise outstanding Pakistani researchers and scholars. The awards will honour research work that contributes to intellectual development, social welfare and academic progress.
Three categories announced
The awards will be given in three categories: Best Researcher, Best Young Researcher and Best Publication. Each winner will receive a certificate along with a cash prize.
The Best Publication Award carries Rs1 million, while winners of the Best Researcher and Best Young Researcher categories will each receive Rs500,000. The Young Researcher category is for researchers who are under 40 years of age.
Awards cover major research fields
HEC will present the awards separately across three broad disciplinary groups. These include social sciences, arts and humanities, law, education, management and public policy.
The second group covers physical sciences, engineering, technology, computer science, statistics and mathematics. The third includes life sciences, biological sciences, health sciences, pharmacy, agriculture and veterinary sciences.
What HEC will recognise
The Best Researcher Award will recognise researchers with strong and sustained achievements in research and publications. Their work should have a significant intellectual or social impact.
The Best Young Researcher Award will focus on promising researchers at an early stage of their careers. HEC said the category aims to recognise their potential to contribute to future research and help address social challenges.
The Best Publication Award will be given for a book or journal article selected by expert panels. The publication should have strong potential to advance research, support human welfare or address important challenges facing Pakistan and the wider world.
Application process and deadline
HEC said all applications will first go through administrative screening. Eligible applications will then be assessed by subject specialists and relevant review panels.
Pakistani researchers and scholars can submit their applications through the HEC online portal. The deadline is October 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm Pakistan time, and the official announcement says the 2026-27 call is currently open.
The Rs1 million Best Publication prize makes the awards particularly significant for researchers. The three categories also give recognition to both experienced academics and younger researchers.
The wide range of disciplines means researchers from many academic fields can apply. The evaluation process is designed to assess eligible work through subject specialists and review panels.
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