HEC Approves 149 High-Impact Research Projects Worth PKR 1.2 Billion

In a major boost to Pakistan’s higher education and research sector, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has approved 149 high-impact research projects under its flagship National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU), with a total funding of PKR 1.2 billion.

According to official details, the selected projects were chosen from a highly competitive pool of 6,926 applications submitted by universities across Pakistan. The proposals underwent a rigorous evaluation process to identify the most innovative and impactful research initiatives.

The approved projects are expected to play a key role in advancing innovation, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and addressing critical national challenges in areas such as science, technology, and social development.

HEC has issued award letters to Principal Investigators and their respective institutions. An initial amount of PKR 850 million will be released as the first installment upon completion of required formalities.

Officials say the initiative reflects HEC’s continued commitment to promoting a research-driven culture in universities and positioning higher education institutions as engines of economic growth and national development.

The approval of these projects marks a significant step forward in enhancing Pakistan’s research capacity, paving the way for innovation-led progress in the country.