AIOU PhD Scholarship — Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the Rs. 80,000/month fully-funded PhD scholarship, you must meet academic, age, and residency requirements set by AIOU alongside HEC's standard PhD admission criteria.
Full Eligibility Criteria
An MS/MPhil (18-year education) degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 out of 4.0, or equivalent grades, in a discipline relevant to the PhD program applied for.
Meet the standard PhD admission criteria set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, in addition to AIOU's own scholarship-specific requirements.
Submit a strong, well-defined research proposal aligned with the active research areas of the department you are applying to.
Prior research experience or peer-reviewed publications strengthen an application and are preferred by the selection committee, but are not a mandatory requirement.
Maximum age of 35 years on the closing date of admission for the Autumn 2026 intake.
Qualify the AIOU PhD entry test for your subject group and clear the subsequent departmental interview / selection process.
Because this is a residential scholarship, selected scholars must remain physically present at the AIOU Main Campus in Islamabad throughout the stipend period.
Eligibility FAQs
What is the minimum CGPA for the AIOU PhD scholarship?
A minimum CGPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 (or equivalent grades) in your MS/MPhil degree is required to be considered for the fully funded PhD scholarship.
What is the age limit for the AIOU PhD scholarship?
Applicants must be no older than 35 years on the closing date of admission for the Autumn 2026 intake.
Is a research proposal mandatory?
Yes. Every scholarship applicant must submit a strong research proposal aligned with the target department's active research areas — this is a core part of the merit evaluation.
Do I need prior publications to qualify?
No. Research experience or publications are preferred and strengthen your application, but AIOU has explicitly said they are not mandatory.
Can working professionals apply for this scholarship?
Yes, if they meet the academic and age criteria. However, because the scholarship is residential, selected scholars must relocate to and remain at the AIOU Main Campus in Islamabad for the stipend period, which working applicants should plan around.
Do I need to meet HEC criteria separately from AIOU's own criteria?
Yes. Admission is granted under the standard PhD criteria set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and scholarship applicants must additionally satisfy AIOU's own scholarship-specific eligibility requirements.