Institutional Strengthening

Regional Health Research System (RHRS)

The regions are at the helm of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS). The PNHRS framework is mirrored in all the regions of the country, forming a network of regional research consortia. The consortium set-up varies depending on the culture and resources of the region. Each regional health research system addresses concerns relating to its health research agenda, development of human resource, conduct of research, dissemination and utilization of research results, resource mobilization, leadership and management.

Regional Health Research and Development Consortia

Local Graduate Scholarships

A. MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine

The MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine Scholarship Program is the first and only dual MD-PhD course offered in the Philippines that aims to train aspiring physician-scientists for careers dedicated to the advancement of health through biomedical research. 

The program seeks to develop MDs with a strong background in basic and applied research. The PhD aspect of the combined program aims to provide students with an advanced graduate education while completing a medical degree. 

For more information, you may access the MD-PhD Brochure, list of requirements, and application form here.

B. MS in Molecular Medicine

Molecular Medicine stems from knowledge gained from basic science and applied biomedical research. The curriculum includes latest biotechnologies, such as cell-based therapies, gene therapies, targeted therapies, biomarker technology, molecular diagnostics, pharmacogenomics, and personalized medicine, which is supplemented by background courses on the fundamental sciences behind it.

The program aims to upgrade skills for the application of molecular medicine in the clinical setting, through a unique opportunity for training in the fully-equipped research laboratories of the St. Luke’s Research and Biotechnology Division. It will also strengthen the capabilities of the current crop of medical practitioners and allied health professionals towards a new way of doing medicine.

For more information, you may access the MS in Molecular Medicine Brochure, list of requirements, and application form here.

C. PhD in Health Research

The DOST- PCHRD will be supporting the PhD in Health Research Program of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) beginning the second semester of AY 2021-2022. The 3-year scholarship program aims to provide foundational course work focused on research methods to assist in developing a methodologically sound research project and devoting more time to research proposal writing, project implementation, publication, and presentation. This program will also add human resources and shore up the knowledge pool in our country’s currently depleted pool of health research experts.

For more information, you may access the list of requirements, eligibility, and application form here.

Foreign Graduate Scholarship

A. PhD in Molecular Biomedicine

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), the University of Trieste (UNITS) and Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) entered into an Agreement to develop and implement a program focused on molecular hepatology within the PhD Program in Molecular Biomedicine of UNITS. This Fellowship program integrates basic research and clinics focusing on the study of molecular approaches to cancer biology, genetics, jaundice, and metabolic diseases. The duration of the program is for 3 years.

Applicant’s research interests must be aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda.

Objectives

The PhD program aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Develop a pool of high-quality human resources in 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 on biomedical research; and
4. Create the basis for a Filipino Liver Network integrating basic and clinical research in liaison with FIF.

For more information, you may access the list of requirements, eligibility, and application form here.

B. MSc and PhD in Tropical Medicine

DOST-PCHRD partnered with the Faculty of Tropical Medicine (FTM), Mahidol University–SEAMEO TROPMED Thailand to develop and implement foreign graduate scholarship programs in tropical medicine with the mission of addressing health systems needs in the country. 

The program aims to develop a pool of high-quality human resources with expertise in tropical medicine who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development. It provides scholarship grants for master’s and doctorate studies to boost the exchange of knowledge and promote collaborations. Likewise, the program will enable the shared use of facilities for research and training in the areas of epidemiologic studies on tropical diseases, endemic and emerging diseases associated with changing environment, diagnosis of tropical infections by immunological and molecular biological methods, tropical medicine, and public health. 

Applicants’ research interests must be aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA).

Graduate Programs

• The Master of Science in Tropical Medicine is a two-year program that focuses on equipping students with scientific knowledge on tropical diseases, public health, and related subjects. The goal of the program is to provide a balanced education that combines knowledge, skills, and moral values. The program has been developed to stimulate students to embrace life-long learning in scientific research, develop their soft and communication skills, and build their leadership ability.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Medicine program is a three-year program designed to provide graduate students with an active learning experience, both in a well-equipped laboratory and at field site, to gain multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in various areas of tropical medicine such as:
• Protozoology
• Helminthology
• Medical Entomology
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Social and Environmental Medicine
• Tropical Hygiene
• Tropical Nutrition and Food Science
• Tropical Pathology
• Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics
  

For more information, you may access the list of requirements, eligibility, and application form here.

C. Cohort Doctoral Studies Program

Implemented together with James Cook University (JCU), the Cohort Doctoral Studies Program offers professionals in the Philippines the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in JCU while continuing to address critical health system needs within their communities. This flexible part-time program allow students to remain in their current healthcare employment while studying.

Throughout their doctoral studies program, students are expected to conduct research in an approved institution in the Philippines and can visit Australia once a year.

Students will also have access to high-quality online resources and training provided by JCU and will enjoy scholarship privileges provided by DOST.

The following are the PhD Programs for this scholarship program:

1. Disease Modelling/Infectious diseases
2. Molecular Biology
3. Public Health and Health Systems/Health Workforce

A. Research Fellowship

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) partners with host institutions abroad and local delivering institutions for the Research Fellowship Program. The program is designed to develop competency and expertise in health research on PCHRD’s priority areas. 

At present, the Council has collaborated with Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) and Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP) for the Research Fellowship in Hepatology; University of Hawaii for the Benefit of its John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) for Research Fellowship in Molecular Immunology; and Mayo Clinic through its Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education and University of the Philippines Philippine General Hospital (UP PGH) Section of Infectious Diseases for the Research Fellowship in Infectious Diseases.

Objectives of the program

1. Develop a pool of high-quality human resources who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development;
2. Provide opportunities to deserving students to study in reputable institution abroad; and
3. Contribute to the country’s health research and technological innovation capabilities through training. 

For more information, you may access the list of requirements, eligibility, and application form here.

A. Research Enrichment Program (REP) Grant

The REP Grant is open to DOST-PCHRD scholars taking MS, PhD, MD-PhD who have an approved research proposal and/or have completed their academic courses in any of the DOST identified local universities and intend to conduct their research work in a foreign university identified by/or acceptable to DOST.

The research work must be in any of the DOST priority areas of study, to be conducted for a minimum of three (3) months to a maximum of one (1) year. The financial assistance shall be a maximum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP1,500,000.00) depending on the place and duration of the study.

B. Support for Early Career Researchers

To inspire the next generation of researchers and research leaders, DOST-PCHRD provides a variety of support for early career researchers ranging from participation in training and workshops abroad, paper/poster presentation to conferences abroad, and publication.

These opportunities will help the young researchers enhance their knowledge and skills to ensure that our health research system stays abreast with the advances in health research. The program also aims to attract new researchers and retain the excellent researchers by offering these opportunities as we expand the country’s pool of researchers.

The Council recognizes the challenges of beginning researchers in pursuing a career in research. The program aims to support outstanding researchers who have been accepted by institutions abroad to participate in training/workshops, present research papers/posters in conferences and scientific meetings, and publish a paper in peer-reviewed journals.

Consequently, providing an enabling environment for early career researchers as they start their career in health research. Early career researchers with previous research backgrounds completed during MD-PhD, MD, MS, or PhD education under the DOST-PCHRD scholarship program (monitored and funded) are eligible to apply. Early career researchers are professionals who are graduate level or postgraduate level up to 5 years post-PhD/MD.

C. DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products

The DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products provides fund support to all undergraduate students who will conduct their thesis on natural products. The program aims to sustain a research culture in natural products to increase the number of research and later on build a pool of researchers/experts specializing in the field. The program supports the Drug Discovery and Development program of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) which aims to develop safe, effective and affordable alternative drugs from the country’s natural resources.

Thesis grants will be given to 2 undergraduate entries per region. After completion of the project, a competition will be held to select qualified students to recognize innovative work on natural products.

Download guidelines and application form.

D. Health Research Capacity Building (HRCB) Grant Program

The Health Research Capacity Building (HRCB) Grant Program of DOST-PCHRD aims to strengthen the capabilities of health researchers and institutions in the Philippines through capacity-building initiatives aligned with national and regional health research priorities. The program supports the development of technical expertise, research leadership, mentorship, networking, and institutional strengthening to help address emerging health challenges.

The program supports initiatives on niche discovery and specialized skills development, as well as research leadership, mentorship, and institutional strengthening to enhance the country’s health research ecosystem. Eligible proponents may include government agencies, higher education institutions, NGOs, private institutions, startups, and other organizations engaged in health research and development. Proposed projects must align with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA), Regional Health Research Priorities (RHRP), or the Health Section of the Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA).

Calls for proposals are usually announced alongside the regular DOST Call for Proposals (CFP).

Download guidelines and application form.

PCHRD gives recognition to individuals and groups for their exemplary research efforts and contributions in enhancing health research capabilities.

A. Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr. Outstanding Health Research Award

Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr. Outstanding Health Research Award (AROHRA) gives recognition to a research program or project that has demonstrated the link between research and practice through the utilization of research findings in the health delivery system. The award, given every three years, has two (2) categories, namely: Biomedical Research and Health Services Research. 

The next call for AROHRA will be in October 2024. The guidelines and forms can be downloaded here.

B. Best Mentor in Health Research Award

The Best Mentor Award is offered biennially to recognize and reward mentors in health research who have built the capacities of researchers in the health sector and, in the process, propelled significant advances in the Philippine National Health Research System’s (PNHRS) thrusts as identified in the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA).

Awardees are selected per cluster (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR) and categorized according to their mentees (Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students and Junior/Early Career Researchers).

The cluster winners will receive plaques of recognition and cash prizes, depending on their category. The national winners per category will then be selected among the cluster winners. They will receive trophies and additional cash prizes, depending on their category.

The next call for the Best Mentor in Health Research Award will be in October 2023. The guidelines and forms can be downloaded here.

C. Gelia Castillo Award for Research on Social Innovations for Health (GCARSIH)

The Gelia Castillo Award for Research on Social Innovations in Health (GCARSIH) aims to recognize the outstanding social innovations that address persistent, societal and health systems challenges. Through the innovators’ experience, we can better understand why and how social innovations create impact and discover how to scale up these effective interventions.

This Award is open to ongoing social innovations in health developed by Filipinos for the Filipinos. The entry must be implemented in the Philippines.

For the purposes of this Award, Social innovations in Health (SIH) are defined as new solutions (product, services, models, markets, processes) created by multi-sectoral health system actors. The solutions must (a) address health need more effectively than existing approaches, (b) have the ability to enhance people’s capacity to act and take ownership of their own health, and (c) results in more effective use of available resources.

The top three innovations in health will receive a cash prize, eligibility for a research and development grant from PCHRD, and a training package with subject matter experts to enable the project to further expand and scale.

The training package will include modules on the following:

• Design thinking for social innovation
• Embedding research in social innovation/Implementation research basics
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Measuring outcomes and impact
• Sustainability through policy and governance
• Writing a research and development proposal for your social innovation

For more information, you may contact awards@pchrd.dost.gov.ph.

The Balik Scientist Program (BSP) is the brain gain initiative of the government, which aims to tap into the ingenuity and expertise of Filipinos abroad to strengthen the health S&T capabilities of local researchers in the academe, public and private sectors, and industry. The program was initiated to reverse the effects of brain drain, to provide researchers and scientists whose expertise are not available locally, and to accelerate the flow of new strategic technologies that are vital to national development. The Balik Scientists can undertake health STI activities in his/her field of expertise through a Host Institution under three types of engagement:

1. Short-Term – Minimum duration of 15 days to a maximum duration of 6 months and can be served within one (1) year from the date of award;
2. Medium-Term – More than six (6) months to one (1) year and can be served within two (2) years from the date of award; and
3. Long -Term – More than 1 year to 3 years, subject to renewal to be determined by DOST, and can be served within five (5) years from the date of award.

For more information, you may access the list of requirements, eligibility, and application forms here.