The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is inviting Filipino researchers to submit research proposals on health for funding in 2025.

With the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) as the monitoring agency, the DOST will accept research proposals that are aligned with the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) until 30 April 2023. The HNRDA is a document that outlines the DOST’s research and development thrusts to address national health concerns. In this round of calls, the focus is on the ten (10) health research priority areas namely: 

1. Drug Discovery and Development (Tuklas Lunas®)
2. Functional Foods
3. Nutrition and Food Safety
4. Re-emerging and Emerging Diseases
5. OMIC Technologies for Health
6. Diagnostics
7. Biomedical Engineering for Health 
8. Digital and Frontier Technologies for Health
9. Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Health
10. Mental Health

Through these research programs, the DOST-PCHRD has supported several high-impact research projects that support better health for Filipinos. Some projects funded through previous Call for Proposals are as follows:

Under the Functional Foods program, the Council supported a project that explored the anti-obesity and anti-neurodegenerative properties of pili pomace and developed functional foods using byproducts of pili. Ready-to-drink beverages in five (5) flavors and frozen burger patties with added fiber were developed, in partnership with Leslie’s Pili Products. 

In the field of Re-emerging and Emerging Diseases, one supported project is the development of an oral vaccine. The study aims to develop a COVID-19 oral vaccine for Filipinos using the probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, as a delivery platform. If successful, this oral vaccine could be used to maintain the population immunity of the archipelago that has been secured with the current first-generation, intra-muscular COVID-19 vaccines. The developed oral COVID-19 vaccine would have added advantages because it would be relatively inexpensive, shelf-stable at room temperature for easy storage, and orally self-administered without using needles, syringes, or healthcare workers. The yeast oral vaccine delivery platform could also be modified to develop vaccines for other infectious diseases in the Philippines.

Moreover, through the NICER Program of the DOST, the Council is also supporting the establishment of the NEOLIMB Center for Research on Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies for Mobility. The Center aims to address gaps related to assistive technologies for mobility (e.g., prosthetic devices, Orthotic Devices) for persons with disabilities, older people, persons with chronic diseases, and individuals with gradual functional decline, in terms of access, availability and affordability through Research and Development (R&D). Through the component projects of the program, the center is expected to develop and/ or validate innovative designs/ technologies and policies towards enhancing access, reducing the cost, and improving service delivery of assistive technologies by utilizing locally sourced renewable/ recyclable materials and taking into consideration the context of the Philippine Health System/ Landscape.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the call, one must:

• Be a Filipino Citizen
• Have proof of capability and track record
• Be endorsed by the Head of the Implementing Institution
• Have no existing accountabilities with DOST and attached agencies
• Have no pending administrative or criminal case involving financial transactions

Requirements

Interested proponents must prepare the following documentary requirements:

• Detailed Research Proposal using the DOST form (DOST Form 2, with DOST Form 1 if program)
• Work Plan schedule
• Proposed Line-Item Budget (DOST Form No. 4) with counterpart funding from the Implementing Agency (15%)
• Endorsement of Agency Head
• Duties and Responsibilities of each project personnel
• Curriculum Vitae of proponents

If applicable:

• Ethics Clearance
• Biosafety Clearance
• IACUC clearance (for studies with animal tests)
• BAI permit (for studies with animal tests)
• Informed Consent Form (for studies with human subjects)
• Case Report Form

All proposals will undergo in-house screening by PCHRD, and a technical evaluation by external reviewers, before the final approval of the DOST Executive Committee, PCHRD Governing Council or the PCHRD Executive Director depending on the recommended total budgetary requirement of the proposal.

To join this call, interested researchers are to submit the requirements through the DOST Project Management Information System or DPMIS at dpmis.dost.gov.ph. 

For more information, download the DOST-PCHRD Call for Proposals Kit: tinyurl.com/PCHRDCFPKit.