To recognize outstanding individuals and institutions who became part of its journey in making Filipino lives better, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development launched the Health Research (HeaRT) Awards on 10 June 2022 as part of the activities for the Council’s 40th anniversary year-long celebration with the theme, “Pagpupugay at Pasasalamat: 40 taon ng Pananaliksik Pangkalusugan Para sa mga Pilipino.”

Four award categories will be given to technical evaluators, experts, advisers, and health R&D consortium who provided assistance and contributions to the Council in its health service delivery through R&D:

1. Outstanding Technical Evaluator Award – The award recognizes the outstanding and invaluable contributions of technical evaluators in providing technical and expert advice and recommendations needed by the PCHRD during the appraisal of proposals until the closing of projects.
2. Outstanding Technical Working Group – The award is given to an assembly of experts who strongly worked together in developing procedures and other significant activities necessary for the research program area to meet a specific objective.
3. Outstanding  Technical Advisory Group – The award is given to the technical advisory group who provided invaluable contributions in effectively guiding the Council in accomplishing the objectives and deliverables of its various programs towards the achievement of its vision.
4. Outstanding Health Research and Development Consortium Award  – The award is given to the outstanding regional health research and development consortium in recognition of its commitment, efforts, and accomplishments in ‘transforming’ the regional health research community through health R&D.

Meanwhile, in recognition of the media’s invaluable contributions to promoting and popularizing health research information, the Council will award exemplary media practitioners from broadcast (television and radio), print, and online news services from both government and private media organizations through three categories:

1. Consistent Coverage of Talakayang HeaRT Beat – The award will recognize media partners who constantly participate in the Council’s press conferences and are able to publish news releases and other publications about PCHRD.
2. Outstanding Communicator in Health Research – The award will recognize media partners who helped us bridge the gap, making PCHRD-related health research information and technical details relatable to the general public.
3. Media Institution of the Year  – The award will be given to the media institution who featured the most number of publications, news releases, interviews, and videos combined related to PCHRD and its supported projects and initiatives.

“The Council values the contributions of its partners in advancing health research and development in the country. Through the HeaRT Awards, we strive to sustain and nurture a fruitful relationship with our partner individuals and institutions who became part of our success in bringing health research solutions to the country’s pressing health needs in the past four decades,” says DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya.

Awardees will receive a trophy inspired by the famous sculptor, Mr. Juan Sajid Imao, which symbolizes the continuing commitment and the collective effort to address healthcare burdens and promote better health for the Filipino people. Further, the trophy shows how solidarity and cooperation in health research can help achieve the mission of making lives better — a symbol of Filipinos uplifting Filipinos.

The HeaRT Awards is open to all individuals and institutions who have been partners of the Council and who will qualify to the different sets of criteria as determined by the selection committee. Future announcements about the HeaRT Awards will be released through the DOST-PCHRD Website (pchrd.dost.gov.ph) and Facebook page (fb.com/dostpchrd).