TWAS-CUI Fellowship Programme

TWAS and COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) are offering PhD and postdoctoral fellowships for researchers from developing countries other than Pakistan. These opportunities support research at COMSATS University Islamabad, a major public university in Pakistan with strong labs and specialized centres in areas such as computer science, computer engineering, biotechnology, chemistry, pharmacy, mathematics, environmental sciences, biomedical materials, and development studies.

The TWAS-CUI Postgraduate Fellowship Programme is for young scientists who wish to obtain a PhD at CUI. It is a full-time fellowship for candidates not already registered for a PhD in their home country, and it can run for up to 3 years. Eligible applicants must hold an MSc degree with research (or an MSc in social sciences for eligible social science fields), be 35 years old or younger by 31 December of the application year, and have a strong academic record. Full-time PhD applicants must also meet CUI’s academic thresholds, including a thesis-based master’s degree, minimum CGPA/marks, and GRE Subject or GAT Subject requirements.

The TWAS-CUI Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is for early-career researchers who earned their PhD within the last 5 years. It lasts up to 6 months, with a possible extension of another 6 months subject to approval, though no stipend is provided during the extension. Applicants must be regularly employed in a developing country and hold a research assignment there.

Funding: CUI provides a monthly stipend to cover living costs such as food, accommodation, and health insurance. The stipend is not convertible into foreign currency. The postdoctoral extension period is unpaid.

Eligibility highlights: Applicants must be nationals of a developing country other than Pakistan, must not be in Pakistan, must not hold residency visas for Pakistan or any developed country, and must provide evidence of English proficiency if their previous education was not in English. Applicants must also commit to returning to their home country after the fellowship and not take up other assignments during the award period.

Application window: The call opens on 8 May 2026 and closes on 15 June 2026. A preliminary acceptance letter from CUI is required before selection, and applicants are encouraged to request it as early as possible. Applications are submitted online only, and signed reference letters must be uploaded through the portal.

How to apply: Contact a suitable host supervisor or the CUI Deputy Registrar (International) to obtain a preliminary acceptance letter. Then submit the online application through the relevant portal and upload all required documents, including transcripts, degrees, and signed reference letters. Without preliminary acceptance, the application will not be considered.