Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has invited research proposals from Pakistan faculty members of both public and private universities for the Grand Challenge Fund (GCF) 2021.

The application process for GCF 2021 started on 25 April and will continue till 23 May. The Grand Challenge Fund (GCF) is a key element of the Higher Education Development in Pakistan Project supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The GCF is anticipated to promote research excellence in strategic sectors of the economy, and will provide funds to selected institutions based upon a competitive, peer-reviewed evaluation of proposals.

GCF will support large, multi-sectoral/multidimensional research projects including in the areas of nutrition and human capital, crop production, water management and sustainability, sustainable energy, sociology and philosophy, development economics, urban planning, climate change and environment, information technology and telecom, innovative governance, and reforms, and health and wellbeing. Successful GCF projects are anticipated to be collaborative in scope, with research teams working cooperatively to accelerate research progress for societal impact. Projects are expected to use a systems-type approach in developing the research agenda, where separate projects come together to achieve a broad-based thematic research advance. Projects should include: relevant and cutting-edge research activities and postgraduate student training.

Research conducted in GCF projects must address specific challenges associated with the targeted priority thematic areas. A successful GCF funded project must clearly demonstrate a solution or significant progress in addressing a grand challenge of national importance and may result in development of a consensus and coalition for large-scale adoption, deployment, or scaling of the proposed solution in 3-5 years time from the point of award. Results should be disseminated in international peer reviewed journals, as well as to policymakers and stakeholders in relevant disciplines.

HEC will provide funds ranging between Rs. 15 and 225 million with a maximum project duration of 3 years to selected institutions based upon a competitive, peer-reviewed evaluation of proposals. Applicants are required to submit online applications at the HEC’s Research Management System.

For more information, please visit: https://hec.gov.pk/english/services/faculty/GCF/Pages/default.aspx