The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) recognized the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) for the successful implementation of the HeaRTNovation Hubs (H-Hubs) Program during the National Innovation Day celebration last 28 April 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. 

Funded under NEDA’s 2022 Innovation Grant, the establishment of the H-Hubs aims to provide an environment that will support innovators from health institutions in developing their technologies and in linking them with potential partners for eventual transfer, adoption, or commercialization. It is an expansion of the currently implemented TEKI (Technology Transformation and Empowerment of Knowledge Generators and Innovators) in  Health Program. 

The DOST-PCHRD is currently conducting H-Hub’s first call for proposals from Filipino-owned hospitals, academic or health institutions, and member institutions of Regional Health Research and Development Consortia (RHRDCs). Successful grantees under the program may avail of the following services: 1) grant funding for the design and implementation of health-focused pre-commercialization support programs for research innovations; 2) capacity building and information dissemination activities; and 3) networking and matching events. 

DOST-PCHRD’s lead for the Intellectual Property and Technology Management (IPTM) unit Ms. Joana America explained how the program aims to encourage Filipinnovation in health: “For this program, we recognized the need to sustain the momentum of health technology innovations noted during the pandemic. The grant program will help support the establishment of the H-Hubs that will facilitate the pre-commercialization activities of health innovations for eventual commercialization and contributing to the overall goal of a healthy Filipino nation.”

“We are grateful to the NEDA for supporting our vision of advancing technology transfer in the field of health research,” DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya said. “Consistent with our mission of making lives better for the Filipino people, it is our hope that through programs such as the H-Hubs, we can make sure that R&D initiatives in health are eventually translated to serve the needs of our communities,” he added. 

Interested applicants for H-Hubs may submit an intent letter of application to iptm@pchrd.dost.gov.ph addressed to DOST-PCHRD’s executive director. Applications should be submitted on or before  31 May 2023.

Further information on the H-Hubs program may be accessed through this link.