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) is launching the “Health Research and Technology (HeaRT) Translation to Policy Grants Program” which aims to provide technical and financial assistance to qualified researchers who wish to translate their research into policies, methods, and guidelines.

This program will support various research whose outputs are intended to produce standards and guidelines in health practices, methods in clinical practice, policies creating standards for health, and assessment of existing health policies. Aside from this, the program will also assist the researchers in conducting activities related to policy translation including development of policy instruments, capacity building on policy translation, and policy stakeholder engagement.

• Objectives of the Program

The Program aims to provide technical and financial assistance to various research whose intended outputs are primarily for the creation of new health policies, methods, and guidelines or the evaluation/assessment of existing health policies for recommendation and institutionalization. 

• Eligibility Requirements

To avail of the grant, the proponent must have the following qualifications:

1. Project leader must be Filipino
2. Must have a completed project funded by DOST-PCHRD within the last 5 years (i.e. Certificate of Completion or Clearance letter issued by DOST-PCHRD) with approved policy deliverable in the original project proposal/Memorandum of Agreement
3. Does not have any outstanding accountabilities with DOST-PCHRD
4. Has no pending administrative or criminal cases

• Call Scope

To qualify for the grant, the projects should have been completed within the last 5 years and were funded by the DOST-PCHRD through its Health R&D Grant or through the Regional Research Fund. The health research project must have a policy implication or a policy deliverable that was not met or produced during the original duration of its project.

• Dates to Remember

May 16, 2023 – Start submission of capsule proposals for HeaRT to Policy Program

June 2, 2023 – Deadline for capsule proposals for HeaRT to Policy Program

June 13, 2023 – Start of full-blown proposal submission via email at policy@pchrd.dost.gov.ph

July 3, 2023 – Deadline for submission of full-blown proposals via email at policy@pchrd.dost.gov.ph

August 2023 (1st or 2nd Week) – Announcement of HeaRT to Policy Program Grantees

• Application Process

Submission of Capsule Proposal

Prepare the following information and required attachments:

• Project title
• Proposed project duration (maximum of 1 year)
• Name of project leader
• Implementing agency name, address, and contact details
• Project plan (health policy problem, target policy audience/stakeholders, policy interventions, significance/impact of policy interventions, project objectives, study design and proposed activities, expected outputs)

Required attachments:

• Budgetary requirements (capped at PhP 200,000) (download template here) 
• Proofs of eligibility

• Certificate of Completion or Clearance letter issued by DOST-PCHRD
• Copy of approved narrative terminal report
• Copy of audited terminal financial report
• Copy of approved Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the completed project
• Curriculum vitae of project leader
• Letter of Intent addressed to PCHRD Executive Director
• Endorsement letter from agency head

1. The capsule proposal and required attachments should be submitted for feedback and evaluation until June 2, 2023 via email at policy@pchrd.dost.gov.ph. 
2. Shortlisted applicants may attend the en banc session for the sharing of feedback in revising and drafting the full-blown proposals (Schedule to be announced). 

Submission of Full-Blown Proposal

For those applicants who received a letter of initial acceptance from the Council, the full-blown proposals should be submitted via email at policy@pchrd.dost.gov.ph by June 13, 2023. The full-blown proposal shall include the following:

• Detailed Project Proposal for HeaRT to POLICY grant (download template here)

• Project title
• Proposed project duration (maximum of 1 year)
• Name of project leader
• Implementing agency name, address, and contact details
• Statement of health policy problem
• Target policy audience/stakeholders
• Proposed policy interventions and recommendations
• Significance/impact of policy interventions and recommendations
• Project Objectives
• Study design and proposed activities (i.e. description, target policy audience/stakeholders, possible policy advocacy alliances/network, study procedure/stakeholder engagement plan)
• Target accomplishments and expected outputs (i.e. stakeholder engagement, forum, policy brief/instruments, memorandum of understanding/agreements)

• Project Line-item Budget (DOST Form 4)
• Workplan (DOST Form 5)
• Curriculum vitae of the project leader
• Letter of Intent addressed to PCHRD Executive Director
• Endorsement letter from agency head

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: What can I expect from this program?

A: In this program, we aim to develop any policy instrument  for your project and/or conduct a series of  meetings/dialogues/engagements where you can pitch or lobby your policy instrument to your target stakeholder/s.

• Q: What if I still have an ongoing project funded by the DOST-PCHRD? Can I still submit a proposal?

A: No, as part of the eligibility requirements, we will only be accepting proposals from proponents with projects that were already cleared of any financial obligations or accountabilities with DOST-PCHRD.

• 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.

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

A: Yes, the agreement is between the institution to institution, wherein the fund shall be released through the institution and not directly to the project team/leader.

• 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.

• Q: If the proposal is approved, however the proponent is now not connected 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.

• 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 3 DOST funded projects at the same time.

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

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