Pakistan Science Foundation Announces Research Grants of Up to Rs. 20 million to Advance Innovation and Industry - Academia Collaboration

The Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), an autonomous organization within the Ministry of Science and Technology, has announced a call for research proposals through its Competitive Research Program (CRP), offering an important opportunity for Pakistani researchers to develop innovative, practical, and nationally relevant solutions to pressing scientific, technological, and socioeconomic challenges.

Funding Opportunities for Researchers and Industry–Academia Partnerships

Under the announced program, the Pakistan Science Foundation is inviting proposals in two principal categories:

• Individual Research Grants: Funding up to Rs. 10 million per project for eligible researchers working in universities and research and development organizations.
• Triple Helix Projects: Funding up to Rs. 20 million per project for collaborative research initiatives connecting academia and industry.

The program encourages research that addresses national priorities, strengthens the country's scientific and technological capabilities, and supports the practical application of research outcomes.

For collaborative projects, the program emphasizes meaningful industry participation, including a financial contribution of 5 - 15% of the total project cost. Applicants must also demonstrate a credible path to commercialization, supported by a comprehensive business plan that addresses market potential, sustainability, implementation responsibilities, and the contributions of participating partners.

According to the announcement, individual projects that identify potential end users and demonstrate clear prospects for research utilization and technology development will receive preference.

Research Addressing Pakistan's National Priorities

The Competitive Research Program encourages proposals aligned with national needs and priority areas identified in Pakistan's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2022, the URAAN Pakistan initiative, and themes approved by the program's PC-I.

Projects must be designed to be completed within one year, making effective planning, measurable outcomes, and timely implementation essential components of successful proposals.

The initiative allows researchers to address challenges across scientific and technological disciplines while strengthening connections among academic research, industrial requirements, and community needs.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar Calls for Greater Research Engagement

Prof. Emeritus Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Rector of the University of Southern Punjab, Multan, Pakistan, while appreciating the Pakistan Science Foundation's efforts, underscored the need for universities to move beyond conventional academic research and focus more on innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and solutions that deliver tangible public value.

He observed that universities possess considerable intellectual capital, scientific expertise, and research infrastructure. However, stronger engagement with industry and other end users is necessary to ensure this knowledge translates into useful technologies, competitive products, improved services, and new economic opportunities.

He further emphasized that collaborative research could bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical application by bringing together researchers' expertise, businesses' technological capabilities, and society's needs.

The Rector encouraged faculty members, research scientists, and relevant institutional departments at universities to examine the program guidelines carefully, identify research problems of national significance, and develop competitive proposals with clearly defined objectives, realistic budgets, and measurable outcomes.

He also stressed the importance of developing partnerships with industry at the proposal-development stage rather than treating industrial collaboration as an afterthought.

Application Deadline and Further Information

The deadline to submit proposals under the announced Competitive Research Program is November 15, 2026. Researchers are advised to consult the official program guidelines and submission requirements before applying.

Further information is available through the Pakistan Science Foundation's official website:

Website: https://www.psf.gov.pk/

Program guidelines: https://www.psf.gov.pk/crp.aspx

Contact: Dr. Mirza Habib Ali, Project Manager, Competitive Research Program (CRP), Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad. Telephone: 051-9209664.