The 2025 Call for Proposal for the Health Research Policy Translation, Evaluation, and Engagement (POLISEE) Grants Program is NOW OPEN. Interested proponents may now submit their proposal through the PCHRD Project Management System (https://projects.pchrd.dost.gov.ph) on or before February 7, 2025.

I. Background and Rationale

In an effort to strengthen the utilization of health research through policy translation, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) launched the “Health Research Policy Translation, Evaluation, and Engagement (POLISEE) Grants Program” which aims to support research and activities focusing on the production of standards and guidelines in health practices, methods in clinical practice, policies creating standards for health, and assessment of existing health policies. The Program also includes assistance in conducting activities related to policy translation including development of policy instruments, capacity building on policy translation, and policy stakeholder engagement.

II. Objectives of the Program

The Program aims to enhance the utilization of health research in policy-making processes, ultimately contributing to the development and implementation of effective health policies that lead to significant health gains in the Philippines.

III. Eligibility Requirements

The proponent must possess the following qualifications to become eligible for the grant:

• Project leader must be Filipino
• Does not have any outstanding accountabilities with DOST-PCHRD
• Has no pending administrative or criminal cases
• Permanently employed in the implementing institution

For Support to Health Policy Advocacy Projects including New Health Policy Research and Health Policy Advocacy Events, the proponent must also be a permanent employee of an institution that is a member of any of the seventeen (17) Regional Health Research and Development Consortia.

IV. Call Scope

A. Completed PCHRD-supported Research (completed within the previous year)

The scope of the grant includes health research, programs, and/or projects that were funded by the DOST-PCHRD through its Health R&D Grant or through the Regional Research Fund. The projects should also be completed (cleared projects with submitted terminal report and audited financial report) within the last two fiscal years and should contain a policy implication or a policy deliverable that was not met or produced during the original duration of its implementation.

At the end of the project, grantees are expected to develop a policy instrument or tool based on the findings of their original and completed DOST-PCHRD-supported project. The project must also be able to perform stakeholder engagement activities with its target or intended policymakers to guarantee that the policy instrument or tool that they have developed is effectively conveyed and disseminated.

B. New Health Policy Research

This grant supports research aimed at creating new health policies, techniques, and guidelines, as well as evaluating current ones, for institutional use by DOST-PCHRD and the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS). The goal is to provide recommendations for improving and institutionalizing policies within these agencies and to develop policy tools that enhance public health, aligned with strategic priorities.

Proposals must align with the themes in the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA), with outputs serving DOST-PCHRD and/or PNHRS objectives. Expected outputs include:

• • • Health research standards/guidelines tailored for DOST-PCHRD and/or PNHRS;
    • Clinical practice methods relevant to DOST-PCHRD and/or PNHRS programs;
    • Policies establishing health standards supporting DOST-PCHRD and/or PNHRS initiatives;
    • Evaluation of existing health policies with recommendations;
    • Other policy tools to improve public health.

In addition to the policy instrument or tool generated, a key outcome is the holding of a stakeholder engagement or policy forum specifically aimed at DOST and/or PCHRD stakeholders to communicate the policy instrument/tool and its potential applications.

C. Health Policy Advocacy Events and/or Stakeholder Engagements

The funding is limited to policy advocacy events or stakeholder engagements that aim to raise awareness and foster appreciation among researchers and policymakers for evidence-based policymaking in the health sector, specifically related to DOST-PCHRD’s previously funded and completed projects. This grant also supports stakeholder engagements and events that would benefit DOST-PCHRD and PNHRS. The goal is to emphasize the significance of strong evidence in policy decisions, focusing on primary themes or sub-themes identified in the current National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA).

• • • Supported events include, but are not limited to:
    • Health Policy Workshops and Seminars
    • Roundtable Discussions on Health Policies
    • Health Policy Briefings
    • Health Policy Forums/Town Halls
    • Health Policy Advocacy Campaigns
    • Lobbying Sessions for Health Policy and Legislation
    • Community Consultations for Health Policy Formulation

V. Application Process and Documentary Requirements

The proposals should be submitted through the PCHRD Project Management System (https://projects.pchrd.dost.gov.ph) on or before February 7, 2025. The proposal shall include the following requirements:

A. For PCHRD Completed Projects

General Requirements:

• • Clearance Form for Project Leader with Previously Funded Project (DOST Form 17)
  • Certificate of completion, if certificate of completion is not yet available:
    • Oath of Undertaking (to receive further grants)
    • Endorsement Letter from Funding/Monitoring Agency of the Original Project
  • Audited Terminal Report
  • Audited Terminal Financial Report (DOST Form 16)
  • Endorsement of Agency Head
  • Project Proposal following the PCHRD Detailed Proposal Form
  • Project Line Item Budget (DOST Form 4)
  • Work Plan (DOST Form 5)
  • List of Personnel Involved (DOST Form 11)
  • Curriculum Vitae of Proponent(s)
  • Certificate of Employment (COE) of the Project Leader indicating that he/she is a plantilla employee and is not due to retire during the conduct of a program/project
  • Ethics clearance, if applicable
  • Biosafety clearance, if applicable
  • Informed Consent Form, if applicable
  • Case Report Form, if applicable

Additional Requirements:

1. Private Sector/NGO

• • SEC registration, or DTI registration, or CDA registration certificate, or other authenticated copy of latest Articles of Cooperation and other related legal documents
  • Co-signers Statement (if applicable)
  • Copy of latest ITR
  • Audited Financial Statements for the past three (3) years preceding the date of project implementation
  • Documents showing that NGO/PO has equity to 20% of the total project cost
  • Disclosure of other related business, if any
  • List and/or photographs of similar projects previously completed, of any, indication the source of funds for implementation
  • Sworn affidavit of no relation by the NGO/PO secretary

2. Civil Service Organizations (CSOs)

• • Compliance to regulations as required by the GAA pertaining to fund transfers to CSOs

3. Foundations

• • DOST certification as accredited by the Science and Technology Foundation Units

4. Private Educational Institutions

• • CHED Certification

B. For New Health Policy Research and Health Policy Advocacy Events and/or Stakeholder Engagements

General Requirements:

• • Endorsement of Agency Head
  • Project Proposal following the PCHRD Detailed Proposal Form
  • Project Line Item Budget (DOST Form 4)
  • Work Plan (DOST Form 5)
  • List of Personnel Involved (DOST Form 11)
  • Curriculum Vitae of Proponent(s)
  • Certificate of Employment (COE) of the Project Leader indicating that he/she is a plantilla employee and is not due to retire during the conduct of a program/project
  • Certification that the implementing agency is a member institution of the consortium
  • Ethics clearance, if applicable
  • Biosafety clearance, if applicable
  • Informed Consent Form, if applicable
  • Case Report Form, if applicable

Additional Requirements:

1. Private Sector/NGO

• • SEC registration, or DTI registration, or CDA registration certificate, or other authenticated copy of latest Articles of Cooperation and other related legal documents
  • Co-signers Statement (if applicable)
  • Copy of latest ITR
  • Audited Financial Statements for the past three (3) years preceding the date of project implementation
  • Documents showing that NGO/PO has equity to 20% of the total project cost
  • Disclosure of other related business, if any
  • List and/or photographs of similar projects previously completed, of any, indication the source of funds for implementation
  • Sworn affidavit of no relation by the NGO/PO secretary

2. Civil Service Organizations (CSOs)

• • Compliance to regulations as required by the GAA pertaining to fund transfers to CSOs

3. Foundations

• • DOST certification as accredited by the Science and Technology Foundation Units

4. Private Educational Institutions

• • CHED Certification

VI. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Q: What can I expect from this program?

A: We will be able to offer you financial and technical support while you develop a policy instrument and hold a number of meetings, dialogues, and engagements where you may introduce or advocate the use/adoption of your policy instrument to potential stakeholders.

2. Q: Can I be a project leader in the project I will submit a proposal on and at the same time be a part of another project as a staff?

A: Yes, in this case, we are only strict with the eligibility of the project leader.

3. Q: In submitting the proposal, should the institution be informed first?

A: Yes, the funding shall be released through the institution and not directly to the project team/leader.

4. Q: If the proponent does not advance to the next level of evaluation, will the proponent be advised or notified?

A: The proponent will be notified officially through email with the reasons for disapproval and suggestions on how to improve the proposal for later submission.

5. Q: If the proposal is approved, however the proponent is not connected anymore to his employer who endorsed the project, will it be pursued?

A: Yes, provided that the project stays with the Implementing Agency. In this case, the Implementing Agency shall request the DOST-PCHRD for change in Project Leader. The request will be evaluated as to the expertise and track record of the replacement and further be concurred by both outgoing and proposed Project Leader.

6. Q: Is there a possibility that separate proposals from the same proponent be approved at the same time?

A: It is possible that given the evaluation of project proposals are simultaneous. However, there is a rule that each project leader should handle a maximum of three (3) DOST-funded projects at the same time. (DOST AO 011 series of 2020 – Part X A.4)

7. I still have questions and clarifications, where can I contact you?

A: You may reach us by email at policy@pchrd.dost.gov.ph.