HEC Pakistan offers prestigious annual research awards to recognize and encourage outstanding contributions by scholars across various disciplines.
These awards provide an excellent opportunity for researchers to gain national visibility, further their careers, and make a meaningful impact through their work.
In this guide, we will walk through everything you need to know about applying for HEC research awards, from an overview of the different award categories to step-by-step application instructions. Whether you are an experienced researcher or just starting, this guide will help you submit a compelling application.
There are several benefits of applying for HEC research awards:
- Winning an award can significantly boost your reputation and visibility in the academic community.
- The prize money allows you to further your research and professional goals.
- Being recognized by HEC validates the importance of your work.
- It demonstrates your commitment to high-quality research with real-world impact.
- The award application process itself helps you articulate and highlight your most significant contributions.
HEC research awards offer invaluable opportunities for professional growth, funding, acknowledgment, and career advancement.
Disciplinary Domains and Award Categories
Let’s take a closer look at the disciplinary domains and award categories under the HEC research awards program.
Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Law, Education, Management, or Public Policy
This domain covers diverse fields including sociology, economics, literature, linguistics, law, education, business administration, and public policy. Researchers making significant contributions in these areas through books, journal articles, or a lifetime of scholarly work are eligible to apply.
Physical Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Computer Science, Statistics, or Mathematics
The second domain encompasses the physical sciences, engineering disciplines, technology, computer science, statistics, and mathematics. Innovative publications and research achievements in these quantitative fields are recognized.
Life Sciences, Biological Sciences, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Agriculture, or Veterinary Sciences
The third domain includes the life sciences, health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, agricultural sciences, and veterinary sciences. Groundbreaking discoveries and research advancing these applied sciences are awarded.
Best Researcher Award (Rs. 500,000)
This lifetime achievement award goes to senior researchers who have made influential long-term contributions with substantial impact on their field and society. Applicants should demonstrate a distinguished career spanning many high-quality publications.
Best Young Researcher Award (Rs. 500,000)
This award recognizes outstanding researchers under the age of 40 who are making significant contributions through their early-career work. Applicants should highlight their research excellence and future potential.
Best Publication Award (Rs. 1,000,000)
This award goes to the most impactful journal article or scholarly book published in the past three years. Applicants should demonstrate how their publication makes an original contribution and has far-reaching implications.
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
To apply for HEC research awards, you must meet certain eligibility criteria:
- You must not have been blacklisted by HEC in the past.
- You should not have received the same HEC award previously.
- Your publication must adhere to HEC’s plagiarism policy.
- For Best Researcher, you must have been a Pakistani resident for at least 3 years.
- For Best Publication, all authors must meet the 3-year residency requirement.
- For the Best Publication Award, only W-category HEC-recognized journal articles with over 100 citations are eligible.
You must carefully review the detailed eligibility criteria and terms and conditions on the HEC website before applying.
How to Apply for HEC Research Awards
Here is a step-by-step guide to submitting your application for HEC research awards:
All applications must be submitted through the online portal at research.hec.gov.pk. Use your existing HEC account credentials or create a new account.
- Select the appropriate award category you wish to apply for.
- Fill out all required sections of the online application form.
- Upload your detailed research CV.
- Attach your major publications/books.
- Provide citation data to support your original contribution.
- Submit additional supporting documents as required.
- Carefully review your application before final submission.
Strictly follow the defined submission guidelines and make sure your application is complete. Note the award category deadlines and submit before the closing date.
With these key steps, you will be on your way to submitting a compelling, eligible application for HEC research awards.
Conclusion
HEC research awards offer tremendous opportunities for researchers across all career stages and disciplines to earn recognition, funding, and visibility for their outstanding contributions. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to submit a successful application, from the award categories and eligibility criteria to expert tips for showcasing your achievements.
The application process requires time and effort, but winning a prestigious HEC research award can transform your career and significantly amplify the impact of your work. Use this guide to craft a stellar application that highlights your most influential research accomplishments.
