HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION PAKISTAN
Invitation of Proposals for
Thematic Research Grant Program 2015-16

The Higher Education Commission — Pakistan invites proposals for Thematic Research Grant Program 2015-16, especially designed to address the contemporary issues of the country. The Social Sciences scholars/researchers having theoretical, conceptual and methodological or policy orientation background may apply for grants under the subject program. The research projects may belong to any one of the Social Sciences & Humanities disciplines or may be interdisciplinary in nature. Full time faculty members from Public and selected Private sector Universities/Degree Awarding Institutions [DAIs] can submit their proposals against one of the following Thematic Research Themes:
Theme-1:               Politics, Constitution and Governance
Theme-2:               National Security and Foreign Policy
Theme-3:               Society and Culture
Theme-4:               Economy: Issues and Prospects
Theme-5:               Education Policy, Leadership and Management
Theme-6:               History, Archaeology and Anthropology studies
Theme-7:               Print, Electronic and Social Media
Theme-8:               Literature and Languages

Guidelines for Funding and Application:

• Grants will be awarded for a period of one year to the selected applicants/proposals, fulfilling the HEC Thematic Research Grants Criteria provided with Application Form.
• Researcher (PI, CO-PI) must be a full time teacher/researcher of public/private sector universities/ DAIs [list of eligible private institutions is available at www.hec.gov.pk/thematic
• Proposal must include a cover sheet, abstract, brief survey of literature, bibliography and other details as per prescribed Application Form and CVs of the research team
• Proposals must be submitted with the approval of the Vice Chancellor/Rector/Director of university/DAI with which the applicant is affiliated. The institution will be responsible for the administration of the grant. No funds will be paid directly to the individual researcher.
• Maximum funding would be up to Rs.10.0 million for each research project. The proposed budget will be submitted on a separate sheet in the approved format provided along with the Application Form.
• Four complete sets of application form /Research Proposals should reach office of the undersigned on or before February 20, 2016. A soft copy should also be sent through email in MS Word format at tshah@hec.gov.pk. Late and incomplete submissions will not be entertained.
• Detailed guidelines and other important information/documents (i.e. Application Form, list of eligible private Universities, List of Themes & Sub-Themes) related to the program are available at HEC website: www.hec.gov.pk/thematic.