The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fellowship, a new doctoral research program launched to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Applications opened on October 6, 2026, and will close on October 30, 2026. The fellowship offers a six-month international research placement for Pakistani and Azad Jammu & Kashmir nationals who are currently enrolled as full-time PhD students at HEC-recognized universities in Pakistan. To qualify, applicants must have completed at least 18 credit hours of PhD coursework and must be between 18 and 36 months into their PhD enrollment at the time of application. They must also have passed the GAT Subject Test or an equivalent university admission exam, and hold a research synopsis already approved by their university's advanced studies board. Research under the fellowship must focus on Jinnah's founding vision for Pakistan, his leadership and political acumen, his constitutional and democratic thought, or his views on social justice and minority rights. Importantly, host universities abroad must rank among the top institutions worldwide on either the QS World University Rankings or the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. On the financial side, HEC will cover a return economy airfare of up to $1,300, along with a monthly living stipend that varies by destination: $1,500 in the United States, £750 in the United Kingdom, €975 in Germany, Austria or the Netherlands, and $800 in China, South Korea or Malaysia. Laboratory bench fees may also be reimbursed according to HEC's standard guidelines. Applicants need to submit several supporting documents through an HEC Google Form, including an official acceptance letter from the host university, confirmation from a foreign supervisor, their approved research synopsis, a recommendation from their local supervisor, academic transcripts, a CV, a copy of their passport, and relevant test scores. Students interested in applying should visit HEC's official website for the full eligibility criteria and application form before the October 30 deadline.