DOST introduces 2023 call to R&D programs, scholarship opportunities co-funded with international partners
THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – International Cooperation launched through a webinar today the timeline of the call for proposals for the year 2023 – 2024 for research projects and scholarship opportunities co-funded by China, Taiwan, Japan, India and France. The event entitled “R&D Initiatives and International Call for Opportunities Webinar,” is held virtually on the third day of the DOST National Science and Technology Week.
Led by DOST Undersecretary for R&D Leah J. Buendia, the webinar focused on the joint research initiatives of the DOST with its bilateral partners and scholarship opportunities.
“Through strategic collaborations, we were able to tread new heights of scientific breakthroughs and innovations,” says Undersecretary Buendia. “We need to strengthen our international collaboration for science, technology, and innovation across fields and disciplines. The Philippines has a pool of talented and globally-competitive students, scientists, and technical experts that with ample support they can unravel their utmost potential. To continue maximizing our opportunities, we must be efficient in navigating our bilateral and multilateral partnerships, to further develop a strong S&T Human Resource and R&D landscape in the country.”
One of the funding opportunities is the DOST-Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Joint Research Program. Identified priority areas are Health, Agriculture, and Renewable Energy. To date, DOST has supported 8 projects since its inaugural offering in 2020.
Another funding program is the DOST-Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Joint Research Program. This is a bilateral exchange program jointly conducted by Filipino and Japanese researchers in accordance with their mutual agreement on international scientific collaboration. It aims to 1) contribute to scientific advancement by conducting bilateral research (including seminars) in a specific research field and 2) provide opportunities for young researchers of Japan and the Philippines to meet, interact, and exchange ideas to build a robust S&T community in the region. Since 2018, 6 projects have been completed and 4 ongoing.
The Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) and Taiwan Economic Cultural Office (TECO) Joint Research Project is an avenue for collaboration between Filipino and Taiwanese scientist and researchers on Virology, Nutritional Genomics, Artificial Intelligence, Green Technology, Nanotechnology, Materials Informatics, and among others. A maximum funding allocation of Php 10 million is set for the whole duration of the project (2-3 years). Since the Program began in 2011, the DOST and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Taiwan have supported the implementation of 46 joint projects.
One of the active programs of DOST with France is the French-Philippine Hubert Curien Partnership “Science for the People” (PHC-SFTP) Researchers’ Mobility Program. The PHC-SFTP is a Hubert Curien French-Filipino Partnership which aims to support the scientific mobility of Filipino and French researchers, and facilitate the establishment of joint research projects between the two countries. Three (3) projects are being currently implemented by both countries set to be completed in December of this year.
For foreign co-funded scholarships, DOST offers the University of Alberta in Canada and the DOST- Science Education Institute (SEI) agreed to implement a graduate scholarship program in priority S&T fields. This scholarship program aims to create a mechanism for master’s and doctoral students from the Philippines to study and conduct research at Alberta with support provided jointly by the DOST-SEI scholarships and UAlberta. SEI provides for the tuition fee, monthly living allowance, round-trip airfare, relocation allowance, and pre-travel expenses. On the other hand, the university grants the international student differential tuition fee. Ongoing foreign scholarships co-sponsored by DOST include the (i) MECO-TECO Sandwich Scholarship Program, (ii) DOST-Newton PhD Scholarships, (iii) PhilFrance-DOST Fellowship, as well as (iv) PhD Program in Molecular Biomedicine in Italy.
For further inquiries of the funding programs and scholarships, interested applicants may reach out to the DOST-Office of the Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation at the 2nd Floor ADMATEL Bldg. DOST Compound, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig. Applicants may also send an email at [email protected];[email protected] or call at (02) 8837 2943/8837 2930.
