The DOST-PCHRD calls for the application of 2023 DOST-PCHRD for Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products.

The activity supports undergraduate students of Colleges of Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nursing, and Health and Allied Sciences who have thesis proposals on natural products utilizing indigenous plants in the region. The program aims to sustain the growing number of researchers in the country that propel advances to this field. It also encourages enhancement of Tuklas Lunas program (Drug Discovery and Development Program) of the DOST-PCHRD that gears towards safe, effective and affordable alternative drugs from the country’s natural resources.

Two (2) qualified proposals will be given thesis grant amounting to fifty thousand pesos (PHP 50,000.00) per region (subject to availability of funds).

Who can apply?

The search is open to all undergraduate students of Colleges of Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nursing and Health and Allied Sciences. Thesis projects must be completed no later than May 31, 2024.

How to apply?

Interested applicants should submit the following documents to Health Research and Development Consortium XII:

1. Duly accomplished prescribed research proposal form with college seal;
2. Endorsement letter from the institution signed by the head of the University and College Dean;
3. Soft copy of the proposal (word and PDF format);
4. Certificate of plant authentication;
5. Appropriate clearances;

• Bureau of Animal Industry clearance for studies involving animal subjects
• Biosafety Clearance for studies involving genetic engineering and pathogenic organisms
• National Commission on Indigenous People Clearance for studies involving Indigenous Peoples
• Gratuitous Permit from Biodiversity Management Bureau for studies involving the collection of flora and fauna from DENR Protected Areas
• Ethical clearance for studies involving human subjects

6. Curriculum Vitae of the students and adviser.

Selection Criteria

The research proposals will be rated based on the following criteria:

1. Technical merit
2. Objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound;
3. The study design supports the objectives; and
4. The study sample and methodology are appropriate.
5. Data management
6. The plan for data collection is clearly described;
7. Quality control procedures for data collection are in place; and
8. Statistical analysis is well described.
9. Relevance/Significance
10. The study addresses an important health problem; and
11. The study contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge
12. Proponent/Institution’s capacity
13. The investigators are qualified and appropriately trained to carry out the study;
14. The proposed study is appropriate to the experience level of the investigators; and
15. The implementing/cooperating institution is capable of carrying out the proposed study.

Thesis Grant

1. Two (2) thesis proposals will be selected in each region. Researchers will receive a grant amounting to a maximum of fifty thousand pesos (PHP 50,000.00).
2. The thesis grant will be deposited in the bank account of the thesis adviser and will be liquidated after the completion of the study.
3. A Memorandum of Agreement will be signed between the students, adviser, head of the institution, and DOST-PCHRD.
4. The grant must be expended as allocated in the approved line-item budget.

Completion and Cash Awards

Six (6) grantees will be selected as finalists to present their studies during the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) week celebration in August 2024. The top three (3) presenters will receive a certificate of recognition, and the following cash prizes:

Finalists will also receive certificates of participation.

Schedule of Activities

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology, is designated by law (Executive Order 818 s. 1982) to serve as an adviser to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cabinet on policies concerning science and technology. 

As cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country, NAST PHL will be hosting a Science Policy and Information Forum on Understanding Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease on 02 December 2021, 9:00 AM via Zoom. 

The virtual forum aims to (1) present updated information on cardiovascular disease (CVD) epidemiology, modifiable risk factors, simple prevention strategies, and current population-level interventions; (2) review the role of salt on hypertension, fats on heart disease, and excessive caloric intake on diabetes; and (3) provide recommendations to address policy gaps on CVD prevention and improve the implementation of current interventions.

With this, we are pleased to invite you and your staff to the abovementioned NAST PHL webinar. May we also request your assistance in disseminating this information to the network under your supervision. Interested participants may register at bit.ly/UnderstandingCVDWebinar.

These activities will also be broadcast on the NAST PHL Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/nastphl).

Should you have questions or clarifications, please contact us at the email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at (02) 8837-20-71 loc. 2170. 

Thank you and stay safe.

A program designed to focus on molecular hepatology study that integrates molecular approaches to cancer-related and metabolic diseases through basic research and clinics is a three-year PhD program harmoniously developed and implemented by Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), University of Trieste (UNITS) and Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) mainly to equip health and health-related researchers to develop interventions that will address health issues and sustain health welfare of the people.

Program Objectives

The PhD program aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Develop a pool of high-quality human resources in molecular medicine (molecular hepatology in particular) who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development;
2. Provide opportunities to deserving students to study and obtain PhD degrees in molecular biomedicine in reputable institutions abroad;
3. Contribute to the country’s health research and technological innovation capabilities through training in biomedical research; and
4. Create the basis for Liver Network integrating basic and clinical research in liaison with FIF.

Capacity

Two (2) positions for the PhD program will be available each year at UNITS-FIF (subject to the availability of funds).

Eligibility

The applicant must:

1. Be a Filipino citizen;
2. Be in a good condition;
3. not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
4. have a Master’s degree in a field related to health and biomedicine;
5. have an outstanding academic record;
6. pass the admission requirements for the PhD study;
7. pass the interview and other screening procedures;
8. not avail or enjoy any other scholarships; and
9. be willing to render service obligation for a period equivalent to twice the length of time or a fraction thereof that they enjoyed the PhD scholarship.

Scholarship privileges

1. school fees (i.e bench fees, permits, etc.);
2. living allowance;
3. book allowance;
4. outright dissertation grant;
5. health and accident insurance;
6. one round-trip economy fare from residence to Italy (start and end of scholarship period only); and
7. Pre-departure expenses (one-time only)

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Note: An Applicant who has already started their studies abroad prior to application to the scholarship program can no longer apply.

HOW TO APPLY?

Program Admission/Scholarship Application

Requirements

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Accomplished Application Form with recent ID picture
3. Endorsement letter from two (2) former professors in the MS Program
4. If employed:

• Certificate of Employment
• Recommendation letter from the Head of the Agency
• Permission to take a leave of absence (LOA) while on scholarship

5. Testamurs for all qualifications undertaken (i.e. Certificate of Master’s Degree)
6. Transcript of records (Certified true copy)
7. Accomplished Re-entry Action Plan (narrative)
8. Program of Study/Course Curriculum from UNITS (if available or to follow)

Applicant/s who were able to pass the interview will be asked to submit the following:

1. PSA Birth Certificate (Photocopy)
2. Valid NBI Clearance (Original)
3. Medical Certificate as to health status from a licensed physician with their PRC license number indicated.

Applicant/s who will be accepted in the program will be asked to submit the following before departure to Italy:

Budgetary Requirements – attach at least three (3) airfare and three (3) health and accident insurance canvasses (include respective website references)

Submission of documents:

• For advance (scanned) copy of documents, send via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Subject: 2023 PhD Mol BioMed Application_(Surname, First Name)

• For hard copy of documents, sent to:

Dr. Jaime C. Montoya (c/o Jessica Marie Suerte)

Executive Director II, DOST-PCHRD

DOST-PCHRD Office, Saliksik Building., Sikap St., DOST Compound,

Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City 1631 Philippines

For any inquiries, please email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please be informed that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) will be holding an inauguration of the Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2) Laboratory of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Program.

The activity will be held on October 21, 2021 at 10:0 AM – 12:00 NN at the Environment and Biotechnology Division Building. In line with this, we are cordially inviting you to participate in the said event.

To attend the inauguration virtually, please log in to the indicated Zoom link below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86436602559?pwd=UU1zUFlCOGZsM2FmWERhVVBKZkp4UT09

Meeting ID: 864 3660 2559

Passcode: 322790

They will also be broadcasting this event on Facebook (DOST ITDI Updates) and Youtube (ITDI DOST) Livestream channels.