Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship Program 2026: Eligibility, Stipend and How to Apply

Quick answer: The Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship Program 2026 is a Higher Education Commission (HEC) fellowship for full-time PhD scholars from Pakistan and AJK whose research is on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It funds a research stay of about six months at a top-ranked foreign university. You apply through HEC's Google Form by 30 October 2026.

HEC launched the fellowship for Jinnah's 150th birth anniversary on 25 December 2026. If you're doing a PhD in history, politics, law or Pakistan Studies and your synopsis centres on the Quaid, this call was written with you in mind. If your PhD is in another field, skip to the IRSIP comparison below. That programme will suit you better.

Deadline: 30 October 2026. The window opened on 6 October. You need a signed acceptance letter from a foreign host before you can submit, so start there.

Last verified on 22 October 2026 against HEC's official QAMF pages. CareersOz is not affiliated with HEC.

Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship 2026 at a Glance

The fellowship is a funded research visit abroad, not a degree. Here are the essentials in one place.

Source: HEC Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship pages.

What Is the Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship?

The Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship (QAMF) is an HEC programme that sends Pakistani PhD scholars abroad for a short research stay focused on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. You stay enrolled at your Pakistani university. You spend about six months working with a foreign supervisor, then come home to finish your thesis.

Why HEC launched it

Jinnah was born on 25 December 1876, so 2026 marks 150 years. HEC announced the fellowship to mark the date and to fund serious, internationally reviewed research on his politics, ideas and legacy. There's a neat precedent: the Quaid-i-Azam Academy in Karachi was set up for his centenary in 1976.

What it is, and what it isn't

HEC's introduction page mentions "PhD studies" at leading international universities, which has confused many readers. The eligibility rules make the real picture clear:

• It is a funded research visit for scholars already doing a PhD in Pakistan.
• It isn't a scholarship for a full PhD abroad, and it doesn't pay tuition.
• It isn't run by Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, despite the similar name.
• It isn't filed on HEC's usual e-portal. This call uses a Google Form.

Research themes HEC wants to fund

The call invites synopses on five themes. The angles below are our own examples to show the scope, not HEC's list.

If your topic touches Jinnah only in passing, email HEC before you apply.

Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship vs IRSIP: Which Should You Apply For?

Apply to QAMF if your PhD is about Jinnah, and to IRSIP if it isn't. HEC's International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) Batch 60 shares almost every rule and closes the same day.

One real difference: IRSIP requires a host in a developed country, while the QAMF criteria don't, and its allowance table includes China, Korea and Malaysia. HEC hasn't said whether one person can apply to both. If your topic fits QAMF, apply there, and check with qamf@hec.gov.pk before filing for IRSIP too. For the full IRSIP rules, read our IRSIP 2026 guide.

Sources: HEC IRSIP eligibility criteria, HEC IRSIP how to apply.

Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

Most rejections come down to paperwork, not the quality of your research. Avoid these:

• A topic that isn't about Jinnah, sent in because "fellowship" sounded general
• An acceptance letter from the wrong person, such as a lecturer or lab instructor
• No bench fee in the original letter, then a request for one later
• A missing foreign supervisor proforma, which HEC calls mandatory
• A host that isn't top-ranked, either overall or in your subject
• Your supervisor's own former supervisor chosen as your foreign host
• A missing NOC from your employer, or from HEC if you hold another scholarship
• An incomplete form, which HEC says it won't consider
• Booking your own flight before HEC arranges the ticket

Pro Tips for a Stronger Application

The strongest applications explain why the research can only be done at that host. A lot of primary material, including the Quaid-i-Azam Papers at the National Archives of Pakistan in Islamabad, is already in Pakistan. So say clearly what the foreign host adds: a collection such as the British Library's India Office Records in London, a specific expert, or a comparative angle you can't get at home.

• Make the plan fit six months. One focused archival or comparative chapter beats a vague promise to "broaden perspectives".
• Ask for a bench fee waiver. HEC says it appreciates waivers, and it removes your cash-flow risk.
• Line up two hosts. HEC accepts letters in order of preference, so a backup costs you little.
• Keep your story consistent. Your synopsis, research plan and acceptance letter should describe the same project.

How the rules play out: three examples

These are illustrative cases, not real applicants.

Who Is Eligible for the Fellowship?

You're eligible if you're a full-time PhD scholar from Pakistan or AJK, enrolled between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025, with an approved synopsis and an acceptance letter from a top-ranked foreign host. The full list comes from HEC's eligibility page.

The nine eligibility conditions

Tick each one before you spend time on documents:

• Pakistani or AJK national
• Full-time PhD student at a recognised university in Pakistan
• At least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework completed
• Enrolled for at least 18 months and no more than 3.5 years
• Passed the GAT Subject Test or your university's PhD admission test
• Topic and synopsis approved by your university's BASR, DASR or equivalent body
• Official acceptance or invitation letter from a foreign university, institute or lab
• Host ranked among the top universities, overall or in your subject, by QS or THE
• Foreign supervisor is full-time, Assistant Professor or above, and never supervised your local supervisor

BASR (Board of Advanced Studies and Research) and DASR (Directorate of Advanced Studies and Research) are the university bodies that approve PhD topics. Your department's PhD coordinator can get you the approval letter.

Check your enrolment window

For this batch, HEC only accepts scholars who enrolled between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025.

A scholar who started in February 2023 passed 3.5 years of enrolment around August 2026. HEC's batch window still includes Spring 2023, but if that's you, email qamf@hec.gov.pk and ask which rule applies.

Who shouldn't apply

• MPhil students, part-time PhD scholars, and anyone enrolled outside the window
• PhD scholars whose research isn't about Jinnah (look at IRSIP instead)
• Anyone who can't get a compliant acceptance letter before the deadline

What the Fellowship Pays

QAMF covers three costs: one return air ticket, a monthly living allowance, and a bench fee if your host charges one. A six-month US placement can be worth up to about US13,800:US9,000 in allowance, US1,300inairfareandUS3,500 in bench fee. All rates below come from HEC's fellowship package page.

Monthly living allowance by country

*Assumes a six-month stay. Your real total depends on the months in your acceptance letter.

Countries HEC doesn't name, such as Canada, Australia or Japan, appear to fall under "rest of world" at US1,200.That'swellabovetheUS800 rate for Korea, China and Malaysia.

Return airfare

HEC pays for one economy return ticket, up to US$1,300, and books it for you. Don't buy your own ticket expecting a refund.

Bench fee caps and the reimbursement catch

A bench fee is what some departments and labs charge visiting researchers for desk space, lab access or materials. HEC uses the same caps as its IRSIP programme:

Warning: HEC only covers a bench fee that's written in your acceptance letter when you're selected. Later demands are refused. You also pay the fee first, and HEC reimburses you against a paid invoice showing your name, the purpose and length of the visit, and the university's details. Plan for that cash gap, or ask your host for a waiver.

Costs you'll still cover yourself

HEC's package doesn't mention visa fees, health insurance or a rental deposit. Budget for these yourself, and check whether your host requires insurance.

Documents Required for the Fellowship

You need 13 documents, and most of them come from other people. Start with the ones that depend on your supervisors and your host, because those take longest. The list is from HEC's How to Apply page.

From you

• Your CV
• Passport copy, or the token slip if your passport is still being processed
• Academic documents, including your PhD coursework transcript with credit hours and grades
• GAT, GRE or university admission test result

From your local supervisor and university

• Recommendation letter from your local PhD supervisor, signed and stamped
• Your local supervisor's CV
• BASR or DASR approval of your topic and synopsis
• Your complete PhD synopsis
• NOC from your department or employer, if you're employed or on study leave
• NOC from the concerned HEC officer, if you already hold another HEC scholarship

From your foreign host

• Acceptance letter or letters, in order of preference
• HEC proforma filled in by your foreign supervisor (download the proforma)
• Your foreign supervisor's CV

What the acceptance letter must include

The letter must come from the head of department or a senior professor. HEC rejects letters signed by lecturers, lab instructors or other staff. Check that it covers all seven points:

1. A brief overview of the work you'll do
2. The research facilities available to you
3. A plan of research activities
4. The duration in months
5. The bench fee, if any, since it can't be added later
6. Any terms and conditions of the invitation
7. The professor's full address, phone, fax and email

How to Apply for the Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship 2026

You apply by completing HEC's Google Form and attaching your documents before 30 October 2026. Follow these eight steps:

1. Confirm you're eligible. Run through the nine conditions above, especially your intake semester and your topic.
2. Shortlist hosts. Look for history, politics, law or South Asian studies departments that rank well in the QS or THE subject tables. Find a professor who works on your period.
3. Email the professor. Send a short note with your synopsis, a one-page research plan and the dates you'd like to visit. Mention the HEC proforma up front so it doesn't surprise them later.
4. Get the letter and proforma. Check the letter against the seven points above before you thank them.
5. Collect your local documents. That means BASR or DASR approval, your supervisor's letter and CV, any NOCs, your transcript and your test result.
6. Scan and name your files. Save clear PDFs with names like Surname_Acceptance_Letter.pdf. If the form asks for uploads, you'll need to be signed in to a Google account.
7. Submit the form. Open HEC's application form, fill every field and attach everything.
8. Keep proof. Save the confirmation screen and keep copies of everything you sent.

If you're starting in the final week

Be honest about the acceptance letter first. If you don't have a host yet, a cold email rarely produces a compliant letter in a few days. In that case, prepare properly for the next batch instead.

If you already have a host, use the time like this:

• Days 1 to 2: Ask your supervisor for the recommendation letter and CV. Request BASR or DASR approval and any NOCs from your department.
• Days 3 to 4: Chase the foreign professor for the signed letter and proforma.
• Days 5 to 6: Scan, merge and name your files, and check every page is readable.
• Day 7: Submit, leaving a day spare in case something goes wrong.

After Selection: Bond, Travel and Reporting

Winning the fellowship comes with obligations, and HEC can cancel the award at any stage if a document turns out to be false. These rules come from HEC's terms and conditions and feedback requirements.

• Bond: You sign a bond with HEC, with witnesses' CNIC copies and official seals, promising to come back and finish your PhD at your parent university.

• Start within six months: You must take up the fellowship within six months of the award letter, or by a date HEC sets.

• Travel: HEC arranges your ticket.

• After you return, submit:

• HEC's feedback proforma

• Your foreign supervisor's comments or progress report

• A joining report endorsed by your head of department

• Passport pages showing your exit and entry stamps