COMSTECH Research Fellowship Programme

OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH)

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Details checked on 30 October 2026. Dates and amounts change every year. Always confirm on the official page.

Who can apply

Young researchers, scientists and engineers who are citizens of an OIC member country (Bangladesh is a member) or work at a research institution in one; MS level up to age 35 and PhD level up to age 45. Women, least-developed OIC countries and Muslim minorities get priority. You need a supporting statement from your institution head and two reference letters.

Watch: how to apply

About this opportunity

Headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan, COMSTECH (the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC) partners with Pakistan’s top research centers—including the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS Karachi), COMSATS University Islamabad, NUST, Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), and University of Lahore—to provide fully funded MS, PhD, and Postdoctoral fellowships to young scientists from across the 57 OIC countries.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check that you are eligible. Young researchers, scientists and engineers who are citizens of an OIC member country (Bangladesh is a member) or work at a research institution in one; MS level up to age 35 and PhD level up to age 45. Women, least-developed OIC countries and Muslim minorities get priority. You need a supporting statement from your institution head and two reference letters.
2. Note the deadline. Rolling – applications are accepted all year Confirm the exact date on the official page.
3. Prepare your documents. Academic Degrees & Transcripts: Certified copies of Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees in relevant STEM or life science fields.; Research Proposal & CV: Detailed research plan aligned with a COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence host laboratory in Pakistan, plus full CV and list of publications.; Letters of Recommendation & Endorsement: 2 academic reference letters and endorsement from the applicant's home university or research institute.; Passport Copy: Valid passport bio-data page from an OIC member state..
4. Apply on the official page. Open the official application page and submit your application before the deadline.

How applicants are selected

Technical Review by COMSTECH Expert Panel in Islamabad + Host University/Institute Supervisor Evaluation of Research Feasibility + Regional OIC Distribution.

Profile of past winners

Young chemists, biotechnologists, agricultural scientists, and computer scientists from OIC countries (especially Bangladesh, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central Asia) seeking intensive laboratory training in Pakistan.

Free materials

Templates, checklists and guides to help you apply.

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Tips from our advisors

1. Read the eligibility line by line before you write anything. Most rejections are eligibility mismatches, not weak essays.
2. Contact potential supervisors before you apply. Send a one-page research summary and a short, specific email.
3. Show a clear link between your past studies, this programme and your career goal. Committees look for a story, not a list.
4. Spend most of your time on the criteria with the highest weight in the selection breakdown above.
5. Ask your referees at least 4 weeks ahead and give them your CV, your draft SOP and the deadline.
6. "Rolling" or "varies" does not mean unlimited time. Funds are awarded as applications are reviewed, so apply early.

Quick answers

Who can apply for COMSTECH Research Fellowship Programme?

Young researchers, scientists and engineers who are citizens of an OIC member country (Bangladesh is a member) or work at a research institution in one; MS level up to age 35 and PhD level up to age 45. Women, least-developed OIC countries and Muslim minorities get priority. You need a supporting statement from your institution head and two reference letters.

What does COMSTECH Research Fellowship Programme cover?

COMSTECH pays low-cost international airfare, and the host institution provides subsistence, supervision and training, for a research stay of 6 to 12 months (extendable)

When is the deadline for COMSTECH Research Fellowship Programme?

Rolling – applications are accepted all year Dates change every year, so confirm on the official page.

Where can I study or work with COMSTECH Research Fellowship Programme?

Host countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan.

What documents do I need for COMSTECH Research Fellowship Programme?

Academic Degrees & Transcripts: Certified copies of Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees in relevant STEM or life science fields.; Research Proposal & CV: Detailed research plan aligned with a COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence host laboratory in Pakistan, plus full CV and list of publications.; Letters of Recommendation & Endorsement: 2 academic reference letters and endorsement from the applicant's home university or research institute.; Passport Copy: Valid passport bio-data page from an OIC member state..

How are applicants selected for COMSTECH Research Fellowship Programme?

Technical Review by COMSTECH Expert Panel in Islamabad + Host University/Institute Supervisor Evaluation of Research Feasibility + Regional OIC Distribution.

How much work is the COMSTECH Research Fellowship Programme application?

Medium: COMSTECH Application Form + Host Institute Acceptance/Endorsement + Research Plan + 2 Reference Letters