The Higher Education Commission has invited eligible MS, MPhil and PhD scholars to apply for six month research placements in China under the Academic Collaboration initiative of the CPEC Consortium of Universities. The program is designed to strengthen academic linkages between Pakistan and China while giving researchers the opportunity to advance work in fields considered national priorities and emerging areas of global research interest.
To qualify, applicants must be Pakistani or Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals currently enrolled as full time MS, MPhil or PhD scholars at a recognized Pakistani higher education institution, and must remain enrolled throughout the selection process and the proposed visit. The proposed research work in China must connect directly to the applicant’s existing degree research and must be feasible within a maximum period of six months. Applicants are also required to secure an official acceptance or invitation from a Chinese university, institute or laboratory, specifying the research area, host supervisor and proposed duration, with the host institution required to be a member of the CPEC Consortium of Universities. PhD applicants must have completed their coursework and be within 18 months to a maximum of 3.5 years of enrolment as measured on the closing date, with their research topic and synopsis approved by the relevant university body. MS and MPhil applicants must have completed at least 18 credit hours and entered the thesis or research stage, with their topic approved by the host university or department.
The initiative outlines eight priority research areas for placements, spanning emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, robotics and automation, along with water, environment and climate related research, energy and green technologies, advanced industry and earth resources, agriculture, food and biotechnology, infrastructure, transport and logistics, health and life sciences, and studies focused on society, economy and CPEC related research. The broad scope of these priority areas reflects an effort to align the program with both technical and social science research relevant to Pakistan’s development priorities and its expanding relationship with China.
Interested applicants can find complete application details on the Higher Education Commission’s website, with the program instructing candidates not to send printed copies of their application, since only shortlisted candidates will later be asked to submit a signed printed copy along with supporting documents. The application deadline for the program has been set for August 14, 2026, giving interested scholars several weeks to prepare and submit their applications through the commission’s official online portal.
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