The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) invites interested Filipino researchers to submit proposals under the 11th Joint Call for Proposals of the e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) in the fields of health research.
The aim of the e-ASIA JRP 11th Call in the field of Health Research is to invite applications that will address health and medical issues in East Asia and neighboring regions and contribute to enhancing regional research capacity through multilateral collaboration. The topics identified for the e-ASIA JRP 11th Health Research Call pose a considerable health threat to East Asian countries and are more broadly considered global health issues.

The call topics are in areas of:

1. Infectious diseases. Possible research topics in infectious diseases include the following, but are not limited to:

1. Antimicrobial resistance (see below for more information)
2. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (e.g., SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, influenza, and other viral and zoonotic diseases of pandemic potential)
3. Infectious diseases that are predominant in or specific to the East Asian region
4. Pandemic preparedness and response (e.g., surveillance research, studies on medical countermeasures such as vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, studies of public awareness and behavioral factors that influence prevention and response)
5. Public health measures and effectiveness, including communication strategies
6. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on endemic health problems in the region
7. Interventions and countermeasures tailored toward regional context
8. Infectious disease interactions and co-morbidities
9. factors that may enhance acquisition or increase infectious disease severity (e.g., tobacco, obesity, autoimmune disease, immunocompromised, co-infection)
10. immune response, inflammation, metabolism, and microbiome
11. impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on screening and other interventions for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention/early detection
12. Advanced technology (e.g., e-health, telemedicine, novel surveillance strategies, mapping tools, etc.)

2. Cancer. Possible research topics in AMR include the following, but are not limited to:

a. Development of new innovative classes of antimicrobials that are efficacious, rapid-acting, and cost-effective
b. Studying the re-purposing of older, but potentially clinically useful antimicrobials (i.e., no longer manufactured or marketed)
c. Understanding the molecular basis of resistance in infectious organisms
d. Therapeutic alternatives to antimicrobials (such as bacteria phages)
e. Identification of effective sanitation, hygiene, infection control and prevention methods
f. Rapid diagnostic technologies
g. Enhanced AMR surveillance techniques and methods. DOST- PCHRD, as one of the Member Organizations, will select two (2) research proposals under this Call for local funding.

Review Procedures Approval for research grants will be based on a multi-level review process:
1. In-house screening and evaluation in terms of alignment to the research priorities, duplication, and completeness of requirements.
2. Technical review and scoring by external consultants (Technical Panel) based on the following criteria:
a. Relevance & Sensitivity
• Alignment to national S&T priorities, strategic relevance to national development and sensitivity to Philippine political context, culture, tradition and gender and development.
b. Technical/Scientific
• Merit Sound scientific basis to generate new knowledge or apply existing knowledge in an innovative manner.
c. Financial Feasibility
• Financial viability of the undertaking with proponent’s and institutional capacity to manage R&D funds vis-à-vis the proposed work plan and budget
d. Proponent’s / Institutional Capacity
• Good track record or CV with proven competence to implement and complete the R&D program / project within the approved duration and budget.
e. Program Contribution
• How much the proposal will contribute to the overall achievement of the program? Other potential socio-economic, environmental, and health impact.
3. Final approval by the PCHRD Governing Council or the PCHRD Executive Director depending on the recommended total budgetary requirement of the proposal.

Who may apply for the grant?
Filipinos with at least a Master’s Degree in a relevant field, have proven research competence / track record, and employed in universities/colleges, research agencies/institutes, hospitals, and other health related agencies are eligible to apply for the research grant.

How to apply:
The interested researchers shall submit their application using the DOST Proposal format through the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS) (http://dpmis.dost.gov.ph/).

When submitting your application, please follow these steps:
1. Register and create an account in the DOST DPMIS website.
2. If already have an account, simply login to your DPMIS account.
3. Select Type of Proposal: 11th e-Asia Joint Research Program (the e-Asia JRP) for Health Research.
4. Select Classification: New Proposal

Documents Required:
Your application shall include the following documents:
1. DOST Proposal Form
2. Supplemental Files such as:
a. Informed Consent Form
b. Case Report Form, if applicable
c. Endorsement of Agency Head
d. Curriculum Vitae of Proponent(s)
e. Duties and Responsibilities of each Project Personnel
f. Letter of request addressed to:
The Executive Director
Philippine Council for Health Research and Development Department of Science and Technology
Saliksik Building, DOST Science Complex, Gen. Santos Avenue
Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila

DOST-PCHRD will also require the proponent to submit the following documents before the start of project implementation:
• Biosafety Clearance, if applicable
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Clearance, if applicable
• Bureau of Animal Industry Clearance, if applicable
• Ethics Clearance (for studies involving human subjects)

Deadline for online submission will be on or before 5:00 PM of 01 April 2022 (Philippine Standard Time) through the DOST DPMIS website. Submission via emails and hardcopies via will not be accepted.

IV. Funding Support Available DOST-PCHRD will allocate up to 100,000 USD for each research project for a duration of three years.
DOST Grants in Aid guidelines shall be applied.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For Philippine Council for Health Research and Development:

Mr. Vincent John H. Tumlos
Office of the Executive Director
Email: vhtumlos@pchrd.dost.gov.ph

Mr. Paul Ernest N. De Leon
Research and Development Management Division
Email: pndeleon@pchrd.dost.gov.ph

For e-ASIA Joint Research Program:
Ken Kawabata (Mr.) e-ASIA JRP Secretariat
Japan Science and Technology Agency
Room 218 Innovation Cluster1Building
National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
111 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road
Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120 THAILAND
Tel: +66-2-564-7713 H/P: +66-61-421-0316
E-mail: easia_secretariat@jst.go.jp

For further information on the complete package of the Call and the application procedures of the 11 th Joint Call of the e-ASIA JRP, you may visit the e-ASIA website: https://www.theeasia.org/jrp/.