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Call for applications: DOST-PCHRD- Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products

The Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2023 DOST-PCHRD- Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products.

The said program aims to sustain a research culture in natural products to increase the number of research and later on build a pool of researchers/experts specializing in the field. It supports the Tuklas Lunas program (Drug Discovery and Development Program) of the DOST-PCHRD, which aims to develop safe, effective, and affordable alternative drugs from the country’s natural resources.

Thesis grants amounting to a maximum of fifty thousand pesos (PHP 50,000.00) will be given to two (2) qualified thesis proposals per region (subject to availability of funds). Upon completion of the thesis project and submission of the required deliverables, six (6) finalists will be chosen to present their completed research during the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) week celebration in August 2024, wherein the top three (3) winners will be selected and recognized.

Who can apply?

The search is open to all undergraduate students of Colleges of Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nursing, and Health and Allied Sciences who have thesis proposals on natural products, specifically utilizing indigenous plants in the region. The thesis projects must be completed no later than May 31, 2024.

How to apply?

Applicants should submit the following documents to their respective Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (RHRDC):

Duly accomplished prescribed research proposal form with college seal;
Endorsement letter from the institution signed by the head of the university and the college dean;
Soft copy of the proposal (word and PDF format);
Certificate of plant authentication;
Appropriate clearances;
- Bureau of Animal Industry clearance for studies involving animal subjects
- Biosafety Clearance for studies involving genetic engineering and pathogenic organisms
- National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Clearance for studies involving Indigenous Peoples
- Gratuitous Permit from Biodiversity Management Bureau for studies involving the collection of flora and fauna from DENR Protected Areas
- Ethical clearance for studies involving human subjects
Curriculum vitae of the students and adviser.

Selection Criteria

The research proposals will be rated based on the following criteria:

Technical merit
1. Objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound;
2. The study design supports the objectives; and
3. The study sample and methodology are appropriate.
Data management
1. The plan for data collection is clearly described;
2. Quality control procedures for data collection are in place; and
3. Statistical analysis is well described.
Relevance/Significance
1. The study addresses an important health problem; and
2. The study contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
Proponent/institution’s capacity
1. The investigators are qualified and appropriately trained to carry out the study;
2. The proposed study is appropriate to the experience level of the investigators; and
3. The implementing/cooperating institution is capable of carrying out the proposed study.

Thesis Grant

Two (2) thesis proposals will be selected in each region. Researchers will receive a grant amounting to a maximum of fifty thousand pesos (PHP 50,000.00).
The thesis grant will be deposited in the bank account of the thesis adviser and will be liquidated after the completion of the study.
A Memorandum of Agreement will be signed between the students, adviser, head of the institution, and DOST-PCHRD.
The grant must be expended as allocated in the approved line-item budget.

Competition and Cash Awards

Six (6) grantees will be selected as finalists to present their studies during the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) week celebration in August 2024. The top three (3) presenters will receive a certificate of recognition, and the following cash prizes:

First prize = PHP 30,000.00	PHP 20,000.00 for the student
First prize = PHP 30,000.00	PHP 10,000.00 for the adviser
Second prize = PHP 22,000.00	PHP 15,000.00 for the student
Second prize = PHP 22,000.00	PHP 7,000.00 for the adviser
Third prize = PHP 15,000.00	PHP 10,000.00 for the student
Third prize = PHP 15,000.00	PHP 5,000.00 for the adviser
Consolation prize	PHP 5,000 per group

Finalists will also receive certificates of participation.

Schedule of Activities

*ACTIVITY*	*DATE*
Call for Applications	March to May 2023
Deadline of submission to the consortium	May 31, 2023
Endorsement of shortlisted entries to DOST-PCHRD	June 14, 2023
Evaluation of thesis proposals by the Selection Committee; and Provision of grants to selected grantees	June to July 2023
Conduct of study	August 2023 to May 2024
Submission of completed studies to DOST-PCHRD	June 14, 2024
Selection of oral presenters/finalists by the Selection Committee	June to July 2024
Oral Research Paper Presentation Competition; and Announcement of Winners	August 2024

For inquiries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CVHRDC Participated in the Orientation - Workshop on Developing Terms of Reference

March 6-7, 2023- Organized by the Department of Health - Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development (DOH- CVCHD), the Cagayan Valley Health Research and Development Consortium (CVHRDC) showed its support by participating in the "Orientation - Workshop on Developing Terms of Reference" at Hotel Carmelita, Tuguegarao City.

During the two-day training workshop, Dr. Carl Abelardo T. Antonio, Assistant Professor from the University of the Philippines Manila, trained the consortium members in crafting Terms of Reference, as PCHRD thru the CVHRDC as a funding agency for health-related research in the region.

The CVHRDC members who attended the workshop were Dr. Ma. Angelita S. Rabanal, Dr. Noelyn O. Bernal, Dr. Andy Catulin, and Dr. Maricel Campañano, Engr. Mark Gil S. Hizon, Ms. Jenny-Rose G. Masocol and Engr. Niko Angelo S. Tabangin.

Moreover, the members of the consortium served also as the critics to the Terms of Reference (TOR) drafted and presented by the DOH - CVCHD participants, as it is to evaluate and analyze for further improvement.

Together, the two organizations carried out and took part in the aforementioned activity to strengthen their collaboration in undertaking health research for the improvement of healthcare and medical services in Cagayan Valley.

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2023 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program-PhD in Molecular Biomedicine

Overview

The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the University of Trieste (UNITS) and Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) entered into an Agreement to develop and implement a program focused on molecular hepatology within the PhD Program in Molecular Biomedicine of UNITS. The three-year PhD program integrates basic research and clinics focusing on the study of molecular approaches to cancer biology, genetics, jaundice, and metabolic diseases.

Applicants’ research interests must be aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA).

Program Objectives

The PhD program aims to achieve the following objectives:

Develop a pool of high-quality human resources in molecular biomedicine (molecular hepatology in particular) who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development;
Provide opportunities to deserving students to study and obtain PhD degrees in molecular biomedicine in reputable institutions abroad;
Contribute to the country’s health research and technological innovation capabilities through training in biomedical research; and
Create the basis for Liver Network integrating basic and clinical research in liaison with FIF.

Capacity

Two (2) positions for the PhD program will be available each year at UNITS-FIF (subject to the availability of funds).

Eligibility

The applicant must:

be a Filipino citizen;
be in good health condition;
not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
have a Master’s degree in a field related to health and biomedicine;
have an outstanding academic record;
have passed the admission requirements for the PhD study;
have passed the interview and other screening procedures;
not avail or enjoy any other scholarships; and
be willing to render the required service obligation for a period equivalent to twice the length of time or a fraction thereof that they enjoyed the PhD scholarship.

Scholarship Privileges

School fees (i.e. bench fees, permits, etc.);
Living allowance;
Book allowance;
Outright dissertation grant;
Travel/Health and accident insurance;
One round-trip economy fare from residence to Italy (start and end of the scholarship period only); and
Pre-departure expenses (one-time only)

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Scholarship Application	The applicant must submit the requirements for the Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program to DOST-PCHRD
Document Screening	Documentary evaluation of the accomplished forms and other requirements
Technical Interview	Technical interview by a panel composed of DOST-PCHRD Director, FIF Scientific Director, a member of the PhD program in molecular medicine of the University of Trieste, and other health research experts to assess: Academic background and learning ability Capacity for completing the study in Italy Possibility of contributing to the development of the country Compatibility with the university course
Final Selection	The panel will identify the successful PhD student(s) among the candidates interviewed.

Note: An Applicant who has already started their studies abroad prior to application to the scholarship program can no longer apply.

2023 TIMELINE

February	Opening of the Call for Applications
April 28	Application deadline
May- June	Document screening and Panel interview (by May 24)
May- June	Announcement of the accepted candidate(s) (by June 15)
July- September	Preparation of necessary documents (visa, insurance, bank account, etc.) and signing of the scholarship agreement (by September 15)
October	Orientation of Scholars and Departure
November	Start of PhD program

HOW TO APPLY

Program Admission/Scholarship Application

Requirements

Curriculum vitae (CV)
Accomplished Application form with recent ID picture
Endorsement letters from two (2) former professors in the MSc Program
If employed:
- Certificate of Employment
- Recommendation letter from the Head of the Agency
- Permission to take a leave of absence (LOA) while on scholarship
Testamurs for all qualifications undertaken (i.e. Certificate of Master’s Degree)
Transcript of records (Certified true copy)
Accomplished Re-entry Action Plan form (narrative)
Program of Study/Course Curriculum

*Interested applicants may send their CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for initial evaluation/screening and submit other documents as required by the PCHRD Secretariat.

Applicant/s who were able to pass the interview will be asked to submit the following:

PSA Birth Certificate (Photocopy)
Valid NBI Clearance (Original)
Medical Certificate as to health status from a licensed physician with their PRC license number indicated

Applicant/s who will be accepted in the program will be asked to submit the following before departure to Thailand:

Budgetary Requirements – attach at least three (3) airfare and three (3) health and accident insurance canvasses (include respective website references)

Submission of documents:

For advance (scanned) copy of documents, send via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Subject: 2023 PhD Mol BioMed Application_(Surname, First Name)

For hard copy of documents, send to:

Dr. Jaime C. Montoya (c/o Jessica Marie Suerte)
Executive Director III, DOST-PCHRD
DOST-PCHRD Office, Saliksik Bldg., Sikap St., DOST Compound,
Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City 1631 Philippines

For any other inquiries, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Day 3 - Cagayan Valley Health Research and Development Consortium conducts Basic Research Methods Training

It's a wrapped!

We've just concluded the three-day Training Course on Basic Research Methods at Region 02 Trauma Medical Center- Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

The 3-day training course aimed to help budding medical researchers to acknowledge methods and establish new medicines, new treatments and new procedures possible for the treatment of patients.

Many thanks to CVHRDC Executive Director Dr. Julius Capili, Prof. Hilaria M. Barsabal and Dr. Daisy J. Dulnuan as resource speakers together with the Region 02 Trauma and Medical Center team headed by Medical Center Chief Dr. Ray P. Suanding.

Indeed, Cagayan Valley Health Research and Development Consortium is doing the best they can as health services are one of the fundamental sectors of society and economy.

Day 2 - Cagayan Valley Health Research and Development Consortium conducts Basic Research Methods Training

Day 2: Training Course on Basic Research Methods at Region 2 Trauma Medical Center

Dr. Julius T. Capili, CSU - Director for Research and Executive Director of CVHRDC, presented his module on Epidemiologic and Experimental Studies and Sampling Designs, and Qualitative Research.

Moreover, Prof. Hilaria M. Barsabal, Cagayan State University Professor,also presented her modules on Sample Size Determination and Data Collection on Research.

After these presentations, medical professionals and healthcare workers and other participants let the resource speakers critiqued their papers for further improvements and revisions.