The baseline requirements.
Most Zabtec-administered programs share a common foundation. Meeting these does not guarantee an award, but they are the starting line for consideration.
- Pakistani citizenshipA valid CNIC (or B-Form for applicants under 18) is required.
- Admission or enrolmentAdmitted to, or studying at, an HEC-recognised institution.
- Academic standingMinimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or equivalent is preferred; merit tracks are more competitive.
- Demonstrated needFor need-based tracks, verifiable household income and financial circumstances.
- No duplicate fundingNot already holding a fully-funded scholarship for the same degree.
A note on need-based programs
For need-based awards, ensure your family is registered where required (for example NSER/BISP data may be referenced) and keep income documentation ready. Verification protects fairness for genuinely deserving applicants.
Age guidance
Age limits vary by program — typically under 35 for postgraduate and doctoral tracks. Undergraduate programs are generally aligned to standard entry ages. Exact limits are published per cycle.
Criteria that vary by track
| Program | Education required | Primary basis | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need-Based Undergraduate | Intermediate / equivalent | Financial need | Income verification |
| Merit Excellence Award | Intermediate / equivalent | Academic merit | Top-percentile results |
| MS & MPhil Fellowship | 16 years (Bachelor's) | Merit + need | GAT / admission secured |
| Indigenous PhD | 18 years (MS/MPhil) | Academic merit | Research proposal |
| Overseas Scholarship | 16–18 years | Academic merit | Foreign admission offer |
| Priority Discipline Grant | Varies by level | Field of study | Enrolled in priority field |
Documents you'll need
Have clear scans ready before you start — it makes the application far faster.
Identity
CNIC or B-Form, and a recent passport-size photograph.
Academic records
Matric, intermediate and degree transcripts or result cards, plus admission letter.
Financial proof
Income certificate, utility bills or affidavit for need-based assessment.
Test scores
GAT, NTS or equivalent where the program requires it.
Admission offer
For overseas awards, your offer from an HEC-listed foreign university.
Research proposal
For doctoral applicants, a concise proposal aligned to priority areas.
Keeping your award: renewal conditions
Scholarships are typically renewed each year subject to satisfactory academic progress (maintaining the required CGPA), continued enrolment, and timely submission of results. Falling below the threshold may pause an award, with a documented route to review and reinstatement.
Meet the criteria? Take the next step.
If the requirements above describe you, you're ready to begin. The full process is laid out step by step.