HEC Announces Free GRE Training for US-Pak Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarships

The bottom line: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced free GRE General Training for Pakistani students targeting PhD scholarships in the United States under the US-Pak Knowledge Corridor programme. The training will be held in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Quetta — and candidates who score 300 or above may get their ETS test fee reimbursed.

For students dreaming of a funded PhD at a top American university, this is one of the most practical opportunities HEC offers: free, structured GRE preparation designed around the scholarship’s own eligibility requirements.

What is the US-Pak Knowledge Corridor?

The US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor is an HEC initiative built to strengthen academic and research collaboration between the two countries. It supports advanced academic training for Pakistani scholars, with the goal that they return and contribute to Pakistan’s higher education and research sector after completing their studies. GRE training is one of the preparatory steps under this broader scholarship scheme, which channels candidates toward leading, QS-ranked universities in the United States.

Who can apply for the GRE training?

According to the announcement, the training is open to outstanding Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals who intend to pursue PhD studies under the programme. The eligibility criteria include:

• At least 16 years of education with a strong academic record.
• Age limit: below 40 years for government and public-sector faculty members; under 35 years for candidates from other categories.
• A clear plan to pursue PhD studies in the United States under the Knowledge Corridor scheme.

Where the training will be held

HEC has confirmed that GRE training sessions will be conducted in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Quetta, so applicants from all four provinces can attend without travelling across the country. This regional spread is a meaningful improvement over earlier centralised trainings that were difficult for students outside the capital to access.

Why a 300+ GRE score matters

The announcement carries a clear incentive: candidates who achieve a GRE score of 300 or above may become eligible for ETS fee reimbursement as well as consideration for scholarships at top QS-ranked universities in the US. In other words, the training is not just preparation — a strong score directly unlocks financial benefits and strengthens the scholarship application itself, since the GRE is part of the programme’s eligibility criteria.

How to apply

1. Visit the official HEC website and open the online registration portal.
2. Fill in your academic details, ensuring your 16 years of education and records are accurately stated.
3. Select your preferred training city from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore or Quetta.
4. Submit before the announced deadline and save your application confirmation.

Important: the announcement lists 20 June 2026 as the last date to apply. HEC runs these trainings in cohorts, so confirm the current round’s deadline on the HEC portal before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Is the HEC GRE training really free?

Yes. The GRE General Training announced under the US-Pak Knowledge Corridor is offered by HEC, and candidates scoring 300 or above may additionally get their ETS test fee reimbursed.

Who is eligible for the training?

Pakistani and AJK nationals with at least 16 years of education and a strong academic record, who plan to pursue a PhD in the US. Faculty members must be under 40; other candidates under 35.

Which cities will host the training?

Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Quetta.

Where do I apply?

Through the official HEC registration portal. Always apply via hec.gov.pk and avoid third-party agents asking for fees.