Introduction
International Travel Grants for presenting research paper in conference/seminar/symposium/workshop are offered by Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) to the faculty and non-teaching staff of provincially chartered public/private sector universities and public colleges of Punjab. Researchers can apply for this grant for oral presentation of their peer-reviewed full-length paper/abstract, published in the conference proceedings or in the special edition of the journal for that conference.
- Who can apply?
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1. VC/Pro-VCs/Rectors/Pro-Rectors from provincially chartered public/private sector universities.
2. Faculty Members: Faculty members from provincially chartered public/private sector universities and public colleges of the Punjab. The faculty member includes:- Regular teaching faculty
- Distinguished and Meritorious Professors
- Hired on contract for at least one year.
3. Non-teaching Staff: The non-teaching staff of provincially chartered public/private sector universities and public colleges of Punjab. The non-teaching staff should
- Be a permanent employee of the university/college or hired on contract who has served at least two years in the same institution and his/her contract is being extendable on at least 06 months basis
- Hold at least M.Phil./MS equivalent degree (18 years of education)
4. Ph.D. Scholars: MS/M.Phil. leading to Ph.D. or Ph.D. scholars registered with accredited local universities of Punjab (i.e. provincially chartered universities)
- Terms & Conditions
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- Applicants already having foreign visa must apply at least 30 days before the event. Applicants not having foreign visa must apply at least 49 days before the event. It will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure timely delivery of application at PHEC.
- The eligible applicant can avail a maximum of one (01) travel grant within a fiscal year.
- A maximum of two (02) travel grants will be awarded per university/college for the same conference. However, one travel grant is permissible per department for the same conference.
- In case there is more than one applicant from same department, preference will be given to faculty member/scholar who hasn’t availed travel grant during the last two years. In case of tie, the decision will be made by the head of institution.
- PHEC has the right to verify the Similarity Index (TURNITIN) of the publication at random.
- In case the Similarity Index is higher than permissible limit, a clarification from the author will be sought before deciding the travel grant.
- For approved cases, the sanctioned amount will be reimbursed to the university/college upon return/attending the event and upon filing the audited expenditure statement duly signed by the applicant, university/college auditor and head of institution (Vice- Chancellor, Rector, Principal etc.).
- The reimbursement claims should be filed within two months after the visit. No claim will be entertained after 6 months from the award of travel grant.
- No re-appropriation in the approved budget heads is allowed.
- If the visit is not undertaken for any reason(s), the same should be notified to PHEC positively within 15 days after the conference dates.
- PHEC will reimburse the registration fee to the applicant in case the applicant could not travel due to circumstances which were beyond control and subject to the condition that registration fee is paid after the issuance of award letter. The circumstances may include:
- Refusal of visa by the concerned embassy
- Issuance of visa after the event dates
- Indefinite delay in issuance of visa and
- Sickness or accident etc.
- The applicant will have to submit justification if there is any change in title or contents of the paper submitted with application and published in the conference.
- The research paper of the International Travel Grant awardee will be published on the PHEC Research Repository (after the event).
- An applicant must have at least one publication in last 5 years in HEC recognized local or international journal in order to be eligible for the PHEC International Travel Grant.
- There can only be three authors in conference paper and priority will be given to Principal Author.
- Financial Provision
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- Criteria for Award Travel Grant
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- All applications received in PHEC will be evaluated and approved by a committee comprising of experts in different disciplines.
- The Chairman PHEC will appoint the members of the committee for a period of two years.
- The Director concerned will serve as the secretary of the committee.
- The committee will hold its meeting in PHEC once in a month to approve the travel grant cases.
- The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the committee will include:
- Approve/disapprove the travel grants based on the following criteria:
- Scope of the conference
- The repute of the organizers
- The professional standing of invited resource persons and keynote speakers
- The relevance of the conference with the applicant’s professional career
- The relevance of the paper with current job description of the applicant
- Previous presentations in foreign conferences/seminars
- Research/publication track of the applicant in peer reviewed journals
- Paper published in local and international conference proceedings
- Books authored by the applicant
- Approve the budget for individual ITG applications.
- Recommend the maximum budgetary limits of various heads such as registration fee, accommodation and travel cost etc.
- Reassess the review petitions submitted by the applicants on any matter.
- The minutes of the committee will be approved by the Chairman and issued by the Secretary of the committee.
- The award letter will be issued along with the amount in each head to the successful applicants.
- Approve/disapprove the travel grants based on the following criteria:
- The minutes of the committee will be signed by the Chairperson, the Secretary and the members of the committee.
- The Chairperson PHEC will sanction the amount of approved travel grants.
- The award letter will be issued along with the sanctioned amount in each head to the successful applicants.
- No approval/sanction by the Chairperson PHEC will be required at the time of reimbursement as long as the amount is within the approved/already sanctioned budget.
- Reimbursement Claim
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- After the approval of the international travel grant, PHEC will issue sanction letter indicating the approved amount against each component. The amount must be spent on specified heads.
- For approved cases, the sanctioned amount is reimbursed after attending the event and upon filing the reimbursement claim consisting of original receipts of payments.
- The reimbursement claim must accompany the:
- Air ticket/e-ticket bearing cost of the ticket (it is mandatory that e-ticket must indicate the airfare amount)
- Original boarding pass counterfoil
- Original receipt for payment of registration fee of the event bearing the grantee’s name and the actual amount
- Original receipt of payment for accommodation bearing the grantee’s name, duration of stay and the actual amount
- Copy of conference program indicating time slot for your presentation
- Justification for not flying with PIA (in case the applicant used other airline)
- A copy of passport
- Visa stamped page of passport
- Exit and entry stamped pages of passport
- No re-appropriation in subheads of the approved budget will be allowed.
- Grant will be released in favor of the head of institution (Vice Chancellor, Rector, President, and College Principal).
- Note
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PHEC International Travel Grants will be awarded for the conferences that are going to be organized by:
- Universities
- Professional bodies/Academic Institutions
- Apply online / Download Form
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Step – 1: Apply Online for International Travel Grant at ( Click here… )
Step – 2: Take print of on-line submitted application and send the duly filled application, along with a cover letter, to the following address:
Director/Program Manager (Human Resource Development)
Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC)
10th Floor, Room No. 5, Arfa Software Technology Park, 346-B, Ferozepur Road, LahoreFor any query related to International Travel Grant please contact at itg@punjabhec.gov.pk
Download “Reimbursement Claim” Form ( Click here…)
Download “Feedback Form” ( Click here… )