The Interdisciplinary Masters Studentship programme offers one-year contracts to 60 Masters applicants in top universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a clear objective of undertaking R&D in selected strategic areas.

Scholars are required to identify at least 1 novel scientific development, discovery, invention (prototype) or innovation (solution or products), they will be aiming to achieve/develop during their term.

The studentship allows successful candidates to join research groups of their choice, ideally in consortia funded in the 8+3 strategic thrust areas as identified by the Directorate General, and covers their stipends, research costs and a PI honorarium. The candidates will be enrolled in and will obtain their degrees from the host institution of their primary supervisor, which can be any university of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The component will help begin to establish a critical mass of infrastructure and researchers in the three priority areas in KP, to help develop a competitive economic advantage.

This component will offer Masters studentships in 2 cohorts (of 30 Masters scholars each) for 1 year each.