Deadline: 30-Sep-2026
The HEC Pak-France Research Mobility Program 2026 supports collaborative research between Pakistan and France by funding researcher mobility in priority scientific fields. The programme promotes long-term academic partnerships between higher education institutions, with mobility expenses shared by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan and the French counterpart, while participating universities cover the core research project costs.
What is the HEC Pak-France Research Mobility Program?
The HEC Pak-France Research Mobility Program is a bilateral research collaboration initiative that encourages scientific cooperation between Pakistani and French universities and research institutions.
The programme supports the exchange of researchers through funded mobility visits, enabling collaborative research, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the development of long-term international partnerships.
Rather than financing research activities directly, the programme focuses on covering researcher travel and living expenses, while participating institutions remain responsible for funding the core research work.
Why This Program Matters
International research collaboration strengthens scientific innovation by bringing together expertise, facilities, and resources from different countries.
This programme aims to:
- Strengthen Pak-France scientific cooperation
- Promote international research partnerships
- Support researcher mobility
- Encourage knowledge exchange
- Enhance research capacity
- Foster innovation in priority sectors
- Support early-career researchers and doctoral students
- Build long-term institutional collaborations
The initiative contributes to stronger academic networks and increased research excellence in both countries.
Priority Research Areas
Joint research proposals must focus on one of the following priority fields:
Health Sciences
Research may include:
- Medical sciences
- Clinical research
- Public health
- Biomedical innovation
- Healthcare technologies
Sustainable Energy
Projects may focus on:
- Renewable energy
- Clean energy technologies
- Energy efficiency
- Sustainable energy systems
- Green technologies
Agriculture and Food Security
Eligible topics include:
- Sustainable agriculture
- Crop improvement
- Food systems
- Agricultural innovation
- Climate-resilient farming
- Food security research
Economics of Climate Change
Research may address:
- Climate policy
- Economic resilience
- Sustainable development
- Environmental economics
- Climate adaptation
- Climate finance
Programme Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Develop new scientific partnerships between Pakistan and France
- Support mobility of researchers
- Strengthen institutional collaboration
- Promote high-quality international research
- Encourage interdisciplinary cooperation
- Build research capacity
- Support mobility of young researchers and doctoral students
Funding Support
The programme funds researcher mobility rather than research implementation.
Funding responsibilities are shared equally between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the French partner.
Support for Pakistani Researchers
HEC provides:
- Travel support of up to PKR 280,000
- Round-trip international airfare
- Inland travel expenses
Living Allowance in France
Pakistani researchers receive:
- €125 per day for research visits of up to 10 days
- €65 per day for visits longer than 10 days and up to one and a half months
Support for French Researchers
The French counterpart covers:
- International travel expenses
- Living allowance during research visits in Pakistan
Project Duration
Approved collaborative projects may continue for:
- Up to three years
This allows sufficient time for multiple research exchanges and collaborative activities.
Selection Process
Applications are evaluated through a:
- Competitive process
- Merit-based assessment
- Independent review
- Transparent evaluation system
Projects are assessed according to internationally recognized academic standards.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must satisfy all programme eligibility requirements.
Eligible Pakistani Applicants
Applicants must be:
- Regular faculty members at public or private higher education institutions
They must also hold one of the following qualifications:
- PhD
- FCPS
- MCPS
- FRCS
Alternatively, applicants may hold an employment contract covering the entire duration of the proposed project.
Institutional Requirements
The host institution must:
- Be a recognized public or private higher education institution
- Have adequate facilities to host visiting researchers
- Support international collaborative research activities
French Collaboration Requirement
A joint application with a French faculty member is mandatory.
The French collaborator must submit the corresponding application through Campus France before the Pakistani application is submitted.
Applications submitted without an approved French partnership are not eligible.
Support for Young Researchers
One of the programme’s major objectives is to encourage mobility for:
- Doctoral students
- Early-career researchers
Young researchers participating in the project should be supervised by the project’s Principal Investigator.
How to Apply
Step 1: Identify a French Research Partner
Establish collaboration with a faculty member at a French higher education institution or research laboratory.
Develop a joint research proposal aligned with one of the programme’s priority fields.
Step 2: Prepare a Joint Proposal
The proposal should clearly describe:
- Research objectives
- Scientific significance
- Collaboration plan
- Researcher mobility schedule
- Expected outcomes
- Institutional contributions
Both partners should agree on project responsibilities.
Step 3: Submit the French Application
The French collaborator must submit the required application through Campus France.
This is a mandatory requirement.
Step 4: Submit the HEC Application
Following the joint submission process, the Pakistani Principal Investigator should submit the application to HEC together with all required documentation.
Step 5: Prepare Institutional Support
Ensure the host institution:
- Provides research facilities
- Supports researcher exchanges
- Facilitates project implementation
Step 6: Participate in the Evaluation Process
Applications will undergo independent peer review before funding decisions are made.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances by:
- Building strong partnerships with experienced French researchers
- Developing innovative research proposals
- Demonstrating scientific excellence
- Including opportunities for doctoral student mobility
- Presenting realistic mobility plans
- Clearly defining expected research outcomes
- Showing long-term collaboration potential
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the following:
- Submitting an application without a French partner
- Failing to submit through Campus France
- Proposing research outside the priority fields
- Assuming the programme funds research implementation costs
- Providing weak mobility plans
- Submitting incomplete documentation
- Failing to demonstrate institutional support
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the HEC Pak-France Research Mobility Program?
It is a bilateral research collaboration programme supporting researcher mobility between higher education institutions in Pakistan and France.
Which research areas are eligible?
Eligible fields include:
- Health Sciences
- Sustainable Energy
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Economics of Climate Change
What expenses are funded?
The programme funds researcher mobility, including travel and living expenses. Core research project costs must be covered by the participating universities.
How much travel support does HEC provide?
HEC provides travel support of up to PKR 280,000 for Pakistani researchers, including international and inland travel expenses.
Is collaboration with a French researcher mandatory?
Yes. Every proposal must be jointly prepared with a French faculty member, who must submit the corresponding application through Campus France.
How long can projects last?
Projects may run for a maximum duration of three years.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are regular faculty members at public or private higher education institutions holding a PhD, FCPS, MCPS, or FRCS, or faculty members with contracts covering the full project period.
Conclusion
The HEC Pak-France Research Mobility Program 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for Pakistani and French researchers to establish long-term scientific partnerships through funded international mobility.
By supporting researcher exchanges in priority fields such as Health Sciences, Sustainable Energy, Agriculture and Food Security, and Economics of Climate Change, the programme strengthens academic collaboration, promotes research excellence, and helps develop innovative solutions to global challenges while fostering lasting institutional cooperation between Pakistan and France.
For more information, visit HEC.
