HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION

H-9, ISLAMABAD (PAKISTAN)

For HEC use only

Proposal Identification
Number

National Research Program for Universities

Research grants form/Application Form 2016
Title of Proposed
Project:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subject (e.g. Chemistry):
Major field (e.g. Organic Chemistry):
Minor Field (e.g. drug etc.):
Total Funds Requested (in million):
Proposed Duration of Project (in months) :
Proposed Starting Date of Project:
Turnitin similarity index (%):
Details of Principal Investigator (PI):
Province of the University:
University Name:
Designation (BPS or TTS):
Department:
University Campus/sub Campus:
CNIC Number:
Email address:
Cell and Phone # :
Impact factor:
Already NRPU submitted projects with ID No.
a. Completed
b. Ongoing
c. Under review
process

2
Mentioned beneficiary industry:
(Letter of support for industry problem to be attached)
COVER SHEET FOR PROPOSAL
A. Title of Proposed Project
B. Nature of Proposed Research
B1. Basic

B2. Applied

B3. Community

B4. Commercialized

B5. Thematic

C. Domain of Proposed Research

C1. Sciences

C2. Engineering & Technology

C3. Social Sciences C3. Humanities

D. Field of Proposed Research and Specialization [For example;

(Subject: Chemistry; Major Field: Medicinal Chemistry; Minor Field/Specialization: Herb);
(Subject: Economic; Major Field: Micro-economics;
Minor Field/Specialization: Development Economics)
(Subject: Physics; Major Field: Energy;
Minor Field/Specialization: Solar)]
D1. Subject
:
D2. Major Field

D3. Minor Field (Specialization) :

E.

Project Digest (Describe the proposed research geared to the non-specialist reader)

E1. Quantifiable measure of impact on society after project completion.

E2. Proposed Duration of Project: (in months)

E3. Proposed Starting Date E4. Total Funds Requested

(in million)

F. Details of Principal Investigator (PI)

F 3. Position/Title
(BPS/TTS)

F1. Full Name of PI (First-Middle-Last)

F 2. Highest Degree

F [Link]/Section

F [Link]/Institution

F 6. CNIC / Passport:

F [Link] Information
a. Mailing Address:

b. Email:

c. Telephone: (Area code, number and extension)

Office :
Mobile:
Res:

G. Details of Co-PI
G1. Full Name of Co-PI (First-Middle-Last)
G4. Department/Section
G7. Mailing Information

G2. Highest Degree

G5. University/Institution

G3. Position/Title (BPS/TTS)

G6. CNIC / Passport:

3
a. Mailing Address:

b. Email:

c. Telephone: (Area code, number and extension)

Office :
Mobile:
Res:

H. Declaration/Certificate:
It is hereby certified that:
a) PI is a full time regular faculty member (BPS or TTS) or is hired on contact not less than project life.
b) Equipment(s) demanded for the subject project is / are not available in the University / Institute.
c) No portion of this project has been submitted and /or funded by HEC or any other funding agency.
d) Subject project is genuinely novel and that there is no plagiarized material including selfplagiarism.
e) PI has never been blacklisted by HEC.
f)

Host University/DAI will provide complete support for the establishment & operation of this
project, if funded by HEC, and also provide other facilities including land, building, space,
laboratories, machinery, equipment, transport, amenities including utilities and other services
throughout the life cycle of this project.

Signature of Principal Investigator

Signature with Stamp of Director

(ORIC)/Research Office/Registrar Office

Signature with Stamp of the Head of Institution

(Vice-chancellor/Rector of University/
Director of Degree Awarding Institution)

PROJECT DETAILS
1. Project Summary (Describe the proposed research)

2. Proposed Goals/Objectives (Please identify quantifiable goals)

If the proposed research is basic, please identify or postulate scientific hypothesis on which your
proposed goal is based.
If the proposed research is applied, please identify the output in the form of a product or process, need
or relationship to industry and also identify the end-user of your output/ product.
Principal investigator is encouraged to make preliminary inquiries with the proposed end user and
attach any certificate/ document in support of the proposed research.
2A. Hypothesis/Basis of Research (If research is basic)

2B. Goals/Objectives (Please quantify your objectives. Moreover, describe how proposed research is
relevant to national needs)
i.
ii.
iii.
2C. Identify end user/ beneficiary industry. (Support letter to be attached)

3. Introduction (The introduction should consist of three paragraphs; the first paragraph indicating the
scientific hypothesis/commercial basis on which the project is based, the second introducing the precise
nature of the project, while the final paragraph highlighting the proposed objectives in the light of the first
two paragraphs).

4. Justification for the research problem (Not more than two pages)
In case of basic research, a comprehensive and up-to-date literature survey clearly highlighting the
existing gaps and what new information will be added to the existing pool of knowledge.
In case of applied research, identify the industry in Pakistan which will get benefit from the
process/product.
Justify how the proposed research will contribute to the national economy/social sector.
The principal Investigator is encouraged to discuss the proposed research with the proposed
beneficiary and attach supporting documentation.

4A. Research plan/ Methodology (Schedule/Phasing)

4B. REFERENCES

5. Impact in Quantifiable Terms (Impact of proposed research on teaching/training of manpower, institutional

capacity building and on local industry; on economic development of national, regional and community
development).

6. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (How and which of the SDGs will be addressed in this study?
Justify how the proposed research will contribute to achieve SDGs of Pakistan. For details on SDGs /s please
visit:)
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

7.
Collaborating organizations (PIs are encouraged to collaborate with partner(s) within Pakistan,
preferably from under developed areas. While collaborating with research group (national / international or local
industry):
Identify complementarity and/or justify the need for collaboration.

Clearly identify the part/s of research that will be carried out in the participating laboratory.

Include a letter from collaborating partner/agency expressing willingness to collaborate.

Mention cost sharing by collaborating institution/s.

8. Facilities and funding

8A. Facilities (Equipment available for the research project in the host university/institution)
i) .
ii) .
iii) .

8B. Facilities (Equipment not available for the research project in the host university/institution)
i) .
ii) .
iii) .

8C. Scientific Personnel

i) Available?
ii) Required? ( Engaging research students is encouraged)

8D. Other funding available for the proposed studies (if any)

9. Principal Investigator (In addition to the following information, also provide one-page summary of each
research project completed, on-going or submitted (to HEC or any other funding agency) as PI or Co-PI.)
Sr. # Title of Project

Initiation
date

Completion
date

Amount(s)
awarded

Funding
source(s)

(attach one page summary of each project)

9A. A Brief Resume of PI (PERSONAL INFORMATION, Education and experience, Title of Thesis (MS/PhD),
Teaching expertise, PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, List of Publications, Books Published, Research skills, other
relevant facts, references, etc.)

(Please attach CV of PI and Co-PI)

10. Estimated budget for the proposed research period

% of time
devoted to
project

Description

year 1

year 2

year 3

Amount
(in million Rs.)

A. Salaries and Honorarium

PI: (Either on BPS or TTS)
One month initial basic pay of scale per
year on following rates:
Assistant Professor: Rs=40155/Associate Professor: Rs=46705/Professor:
Rs=51885/Co-PI: (Either on BPS or TTS)
One month initial basic pay of scale
once in entire project life on following
rates:
Assistant Professor: Rs=40155/Associate Professor: Rs=46705/Professor:
Rs=51885/Studentships @
Rs=25000/- per month for Ph.D.
Rs=20000/- per month for M.S./[Link].

Subtotal:
B. Permanent Equipment (Please attach invoice/quotation and expected delivery date for items costing
Rs. 0.1 million or above)

Subtotal:
C. Expendable Supplies (It is mandatory to give year wise quantity and cost with full justification)

Subtotal:
D. Local Travel (Purpose of local travel, with justification and detailed calculations of each visit/ tentative
schedule of visits for each year on a separate sheet)
Local Travel
(Maximum 0.2 million per year or as per
actual)

Subtotal:
E. Others (Literature, documentation, information, online literature search, contingencies, postage, etc.)
Journal publication fee / Online material
(Max Rs=50,000/- or as per actual)
Stationary/Contingency
(Max Rs=10,000/year or as per actual)

Subtotal:
F. Miscellaneous
Audit / Accountant Fee (Max. Rs 10,000)

Subtotal:
Subtotal (D + E + F):
G. Indirect cost (University overheads)
15% of total direct cost to meet office
support and utilities etc. of ORIC (If
ORIC office is fully functional).
OR
02% of total direct cost to meet research
office support and utilities, etc. (if ORIC

10
is not established).
Subtotal:
Grand Total (A + B + C + D + E + F+ G):

11. Justification
A. Salaries & Allowances (Please provide justification for studentship)

B. Permanent Equipment (Please identify and justify major items costing over 0.1 million)

C. Expendable supplies (Justification and details of cost and quantity required)

D. Other Costs. (Justification for travel cost not exceeding 2 lac per year )

11

12

12.

Miscellaneous Information or Questions

Miscellaneous Information or Questions

A. Whether HEC approved supervisors as per HEC rules are

Yes or no

available in the institute of PI or not?

B. How many research students are already registered with PI?
C. How many research associates/students funded by HEC or
any other organization, the PI has?
D. How many non-funded research scholars are registered with
PI?
E. The published research articles:
i)

Number of research articles published as a first author.

ii) Number of research articles published as a co-author with

your own M-Phil/PhD student.

iii) Number of research articles published as a co-author with
other researchers.
F. Research Projects
i) Number of research projects as PI funded by HEC.
ii) Number of research projects as PI funded by other

agencies.
iii) Number of research projects as Co-PI funded by HEC
iv) Number of research projects as Co-PI funded by other

agencies.

13. Check list/ Have you filled/attached copies of all required documents?
Sr. # Check list/ required documents

Tick () Yes

Reference

13
or No
1.

Is PI a full time regular faculty member (BPS or TTS) or on contact not

less than project life?

2.

Has PI never been black listed by HEC?

3.

Is PI not executing any NRPU project whose completion is delayed by

three (03) years? (If No, please specify their ID number.)
Is PI not currently executing or has submitted two or more NRPU
projects.
Is Turnitin report of the proposal attached?

4.
5.
6.
7.

8.

Has a clearance certificate from Institutional Bioethics Committee (IBC)

of the university/DAI concerned attached (if required)?
Have relevant university authorities affixed signatures with date &
stamps on the Declaration Certificates? (Section H of cover sheet for
proposal at page # 3)
Has a brief of the impact of research project been attached? (Section5)

9.

Is industry support letter attached? (Section-2C)

10.

Has a letter of consent from collaborating partner/agency expressing

willingness to collaborate been attached? (Section-7)
Is one page summary of each project of PI already completed/ running/
submitted to any funding agency been attached? (Section-9)
Is equipment demanded for the execution of the subject project not
available with the University / DAI? (Section-10B)
Have original Invoices / Quotations for permanent equipment costing
over Rs.0.1 million or more been attached? (Section-10B)
Have year-wise cost and quantities of each expendable item been
given (Section-10C)?

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Has tentative and detailed schedule of local visits (annual plan) with
justification and rates been provided (if study involves field survey/field
work)? (Section-10D)

16.

Has head of institution duly endorsed the application (Section-14) of the

application form?

17.

Is total cost of the research project in line with the financial provisions
of the NRPU program (with reference to PIs Impact Factor)?

18.

Have you provided project activities on GANTT Chart?

19.

Have all fields of research proposal been carefully filled and counter
checked by the PI?

20.

Have you prepared 04 sets of research proposal (Hard copies) along

with soft/scanned copies on updated Research Grant Form/
Application Form 2016? ([Link]/nrpu)

page No.

14
14.

Endorsement

SIGNATURE OF PI
Date

SIGNATURE OF CO-PI
Date

Signature of the Director ORIC/Research Office

/Registrar Office (with Stamp)
Date

Endorsement of the Head of Institution

(Vice-chancellor/Rector of University, Director of Degreeawarding Institutions)
Signature & Stamp
Name & Title:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Date:

E-mail

HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION

H-9, Islamabad (Pakistan)
Phone: (051) 90401924 Fax: (051) 90401902

NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR UNIVERSITIES

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS
Lack of basic equipment, laboratory supplies, scientific literature and financial resources is often a great
impediment to the productivity of many creative and talented professors and researchers in institutions of higher
learning. In most cases these researchers need modest financial support for research projects to enable them
to pursue their research. In the absence of such support, the researchers, particularly faculty members are
discouraged and do not indulge in research. Hence, to avoid such situations, HEC has initiated National
Research Program for Universities (NRPU) under which creative faculty members of Universities / DAIs are
awarded grants to enable them to conduct their research. Research Grants proposals submitted to HEC
undergo a procedure of rigorous peer review by top experts in the field as per established international norms.

scientific research projects to be carried out in Pakistan by university teachers. The

Purpose and
Nature

Research
Domain
Duration
Eligibility and
Qualification

Research grants are awarded on competitive merit for high-level and promising
purpose of these grants is to promote scientific research in areas relevant to national

needs.
The Research Grants Program provides support for research projects in all disciplines

of Science, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

A research grant will normally be provided for a period of one to three years. However,

there is no restriction on the lower limit.

The applicant (Principal Investigator, PI) should be a full time faculty member of a
university. He/she should have an advanced academic degree and relevant research

experience.
HEC has designated focal points in all disciplines / sub disciplines. They are the top
experts in their fields. All research grants proposals are forwarded to these focal points
for evaluation by at least three experts. Focal points will do initial screening of the
projects sent to them by HEC. In case they do not consider a project suitable for

Approval
Procedure

funding, they can reject the project at their level or send it back to HEC for revision by
PI, if they so desire.

The comments of focal points and reviewers are considered as the final decision in the
case.

ii

After the Research Grant is approved for funding, a written agreement is signed
between the HEC, the grantee (PI) and his/her institute. The host institute must
administer the grant according to the agreement and provide laboratory space, and
other facilities necessary for the project. The equipment, material and literature
provided for the project through the Research Grants Program remains the in the

Agreement

custody of the institute after the project is completed.

The grantee must keep the HEC properly informed about any applications of the
results obtained and acknowledge support from HEC in all publications or
presentations. Any research result obtained under the NRPU must be made freely
available without restrictions

The Project(s) will be cancelled, if PI is not following the terms & conditions laid down

by HEC.
PI is required to submit a short annual report along with audited funds utilization report
of the project within fifteen days of the completion of each year. Progress report should
highlight major achievements during the reporting period and completion of

Annual Report

targets/goals as envisaged in the Proposal for the subject year.

The release of the subsequent year award is tied up with the approval of the Annual
Progress Report by the experts as satisfactory.

iii

HEC provides funds as per following details:

SR. #
1.
2.

Items
Equipment
Chemical/Glassware
(with full justification and details of
quantity required for the project)

3.

Accessories

4.

Journal Publication fee/on line material

5.

6.

7.
Entitlement

Honorarium for PI
One month initial basic pay of scale per
year on mentioned rates either PI is
working on BPS or TTS
Honorarium for Co-PI (if justified)
One month initial basic pay of scale
once in entire project life on mentioned
rates either Co-PI is working on BPS or
TTS
Studentships
MS/[Link]. students
Ph.D. students
Local Travel
( if required and full justified)

8.

(Tentative schedule of visits for all the

years of project life along with full
justification and rates/calculations as
per actual expenditure)

9.
10.
11.
12.

Secretariat Staff (if required)

Stationary/Contingencies
Any type of entertainment
Audit/Accounts

13.

Other specific requirements

14.

University overhead
If ORIC is fully functional as per HEC
criteria
If ORIC is not established

Total Allocation
As per requirements of the project
As per requirements of the project
As per requirements of the project
(with full justification)
As per requirement of the project up
to Rs. 50,000/Assistant Professor @ Rs=40155/Associate Professor @ Rs=46705/Professor
@ Rs=51885/Assistant Professor @ Rs=40155/Associate Professor @ Rs=46705/Professor
@ Rs=51885/-

@ Rs. 20,000/- per month

@ Rs. 25,000/- per month
Maximum 0.2 million (02 lac) per
year or as per actual expenditure if
field work/survey is involved;
Moreover, students would be
allowed only to reimburse actual
expenditures incurred during their
field visit if any.
Rs. 18,000 per year
Rs. 10,000 per year
Not Allowed
Rs. 20,000 (maximum)
Depending upon the nature of the
project if fully justified

15% of total direct cost to meet

office support and utilities etc. of
ORIC

02% of total direct cost to meet

research office support and utilities,
etc.
Note: - If a university teacher working as PI or Co-PI in more than one project, he/she may
get only one months Initial Basic Pay under any one of his / her project.

iv

Permissible limits of HEC are with reference to the cumulative Impact Factor of the
Principal Investigator, given as under:

For Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Impact Factor

Financial
Provision

Eligible Amount (Rs. Million)

100 or above

20

50 99

17

20 49

15

10 19

12

09

10
For Remaining Disciplines

Impact Factor

Eligible Amount (Rs. Million)

50 or above

20

25-49

17

10-24

15

5-9

12

0-4

10

Applications should be submitted on Research Grants Form/Application Form 2016

which may be downloaded from HEC website ([Link]/nrpu).

Four (04) sets of hard copies along with soft copy of duly filled application forms must

Procedure
to
submit
the
proposal/ How to

apply:

be submitted to Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) /

Research Office/Office of the Registrar in the respective university of the PI.
The ORIC/Research Office/Registrar Office of the respective university will scrutinize
the application to ensure the provision of relevant documents in line with the checklist

before forwarding the proposals to HEC.

Ethical recommendations, if required, may be provided in the form of letter of
clearance obtained from relevant Institutional Ethical Review Committee.

The PI has to be a full-time regular faculty member (BPS or TTS) or on contact not less than
project life.

Guidelines

Period of execution of the Research project should not be exceeding three (03) years.
Any application will not be entertained if
o Incomplete
o Received on old Application Forms (New Application Form accessible at
[Link]/nrpu)
o Not received by R&D Division of HEC on or before the closing date.
o PI is executing any NRPU project whose completion is delayed by three (03) years.
o PI is currently executing or has submitted two or more NRPU projects
simultaneously for consideration.
o PI has been black listed by HEC.
o Applications are directly submitted to HEC, bypassing ORIC/Research Office/Office
of the Registrar of the respective university.
o Application forms are not signed/countersigned/endorsed by head of institution,
o
o
o
o

vice chancellor/Rector/Director of DAIs.

CV of PI or Co-PI are not attached.
Quotations of required equipment, worth over Rs. 0.1 Million are not attached.
Report generated by Turnitin is not attached.
A clearance certificate from Institutional Bioethics Committee (IBC) of the
university/DAI concerned (if required) is not attached.
Director (R&D)
Higher Education Commission
Sector H-9, Islamabad
Ph: 051-90401908;
Email: adhussain@[Link];

Please Feel Free To Contact For General Correspondence/ Queries With Following Officers
FEDERAL,
KHYBER
SINDH
PUNJAB
BALOCHISTAN, G-B,
PUKHTANKHWA
AND AJK
Deputy Director
R&D, HEC,
Sector H-9 Islamabad.
Phone No. : 051-90401916
E-mail:
fdanjum@[Link]

Assistant Director
R&D, HEC,
Sector H-9 Islamabad.
Phone No. 051-9040932
E-mail:
aashah@[Link]

Assistant In charge
R&D, HEC,
Sector H-9 Islamabad.
Phone No.051-90401935
E-mail:
iikhlaq@[Link]

Computer Operator
R&D, HEC,
Sector H-9 Islamabad
Phone No. 051-90401942
E-mail:
mimarwat@[Link];

ear Colleagues,
Money has never been the problem for the conduct of goal oriented research that has societal impact. The
project PI may also have joint research that address the problem of strategic organization.

vi
However the research proposal must meet the guidelines of the donor agency. Following are the guidelines for
the PIs/ CPI for writing the research proposals.
The PI has to be a full-time regular faculty member (BPS or TTS) or on contact not less than project life.
Period of execution of the Research project should not be exceeding three (03) years.
PI can run/submite/execute only two projects samulaneously under NRPU. If there are two submitted or
ongoing project of any PI, 3rd project of same PI would not be entertained under NRPU.
No forigen visits are allowed under NRPU.
No Co-PI may be from abroad or no foreigner can not act as Co-PI under NRPU project.
Any application will not be entertained if
o Incomplete
o Received on old Application Forms (New Application Form accessible at [Link]/nrpu)
o Not received by R&D Division of HEC on or before the closing date.
o PI is executing any NRPU project whose completion is delayed by three (03) years.
o PI is currently executing or has submitted two or more NRPU projects simultaneously for consideration.
o PI has been black listed by HEC.
o Applications are directly submitted to HEC, bypassing ORIC/Research Office/Office of the Registrar of the
respective university.
o Application forms are not signed/countersigned/endorsed by head of institution, vice
chancellor/Rector/Director of DAIs.
o CV of PI or Co-PI are not attached.
o Quotations of required equipment, worth over Rs. 0.1 Million are not attached.
o Report generated by Turnitin is not attached.
A clearance certificate from Institutional Bioethics Committee (IBC) of the university/DAI
concerned (if required) is not attached. If a IBC is not exist in any univ/DAI, university must constitue same to
furnish certificate or PI may approach to Provincial bioethics committee.
Dr Zaffar M. Khan
DG (ORIC)