The mission of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and Faculty of Tropical Medicine (FTM), Mahidol University―SEAMEO TROPMED Thailand is to address health system needs by developing and strengthening capacity for health research through teaching and research for advanced knowledge in tropical medicine. Hence, both institutions agreed to collaborate on the development and implementation of a Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program (FGSP) in Tropical Medicine. 

The FGSP-TropMed offers exciting opportunities for research training particularly on tropical diseases. The program aims to provide opportunities to deserving students to study and obtain graduate degrees abroad and develop a pool of high-quality human resources who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development. 

Program: Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Medicine

The three-year multidisciplinary program offers broad areas in Tropical Medicine including Protozoology, Helminthology, Medical Entomology, Microbiology and Immunology, Social and Environmental Medicine, Tropical Hygiene, Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Tropical Pathology and Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics focusing on active learning experience in well-equipped laboratory and at field site to equip graduates with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in Tropical Medicine.

Capacity

One (1) position for the PhD program will be available each year at FTM Mahidol University―SEAMEO TROPMED Thailand (subject to the availability of funds).

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must:

1. be a Filipino citizen;
2. be in good health condition; 
3. not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
4. have completed MSc degree in related field of study;
5. have an outstanding academic record; 
6. have passed the admission requirements of Mahidol University for the PhD study; 
7. have passed the interview and other screening procedures;
8. have research interests aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA);
9. conduct their research for the entire duration of the scholarship and PhD Program; and
10. 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

1. Tuition and other school fees;
2. Living allowance;
3. Book allowance;
4. Outright dissertation grant;
5. Travel/Health and accident insurance;
6. One round-trip economy fare from residence to Thailand (start and end of the scholarship period only); and
7. Pre-departure expenses (one-time only)

SELECTION PROCEDURE

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

2023 TIMELINE 

HOW TO APPLY

Program Admission

Requirements – Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Medicine (Plan2)

https://graduate.mahidol.ac.th/inter/prospective-students/?p=curriculum&id=4801D02G

Online Application

Please visit, https://graduate.mahidol.ac.th/admission-inter/login.php or contact them via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

*After submitting your application to Mahidol University, please send your CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for initial evaluation/screening

Scholarship Application

Requirements

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

The applicant who was able to pass the interview will be asked to submit the following:

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

The applicant 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 TropMed Application_(Surname, First Name)

• For hard copy of documents, send to:

Dr. Jaime C. Montoya (℅ Ms. Ellaine Perez)

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 at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Council does not only support the generation of health technologies but also caters to the protection, management, and utilization of these innovations. Through its Intellectual Property and Technology Management unit (IPTM), it offers a wide variety of services that will move your health technology from the lab to market launch. 

1. Intellectual Property Protection And Management Of Health Research Outputs Program (IProtech)

The IPROTECH Program aims to provide IP-related services and assistance to PCHRD RHRDC members to help them protect, commercialize, and manage their health innovations.

The program includes the following:

(1)  Development of an institutional IP policy – Proposals under this category may include capacity-building activities aimed at improving the institution’s awareness and appreciation of the Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009 (RA 10055) and DOST IP Policy. RDIs may invite their own resource speakers. PCHRD may also suggest potential resource speakers upon request of RDIs. Expected output is a drafted institutional IP Policy or an improved institutional IP Policy that is aligned with RA 10055 and DOST IP Policy.

(2) Establishment of institutional technology transfer processes – Assistance in establishing institutional technology transfer protocols is also provided under the program. RDIs may select their own mentors or request for recommendations from PCHRD. Expected output is a drafted institutional technology transfer protocol.

(3) Securing IP protection – RDIs belonging to PCHRD’s RHRDC with health innovations may apply for IP protection assistance. PCHRD may provide assistance in the filing of patent, utility model, PCT, NPE, trademark, industrial design, and copyright applications. Duly signed and notarized MOA with corresponding LIB, Research Agreements and Research Collaboration Agreements will be required.

(4) Securing IP valuation and FTO reports – PCHRD may also assist RHRDC members in obtaining valuation and FTO reports for their health innovations prior to commercialization. RDIs may seek recommendations for firms from PCHRD.

(5) Drafting licensing agreements – Proposals under this category may include payment for legal services pertaining to the review and drafting of licensing agreements.

2. Startup Research Grant Program (SGP)

In support of the operationalization of RA 11337, PCHRD created a Startup Research Grant Program under DOST SGF that aims to support research activities of startups in the health sector. It will provide financial support to qualified startups to conduct research activities aimed at:

1.Overcoming R&D roadblocks;
2.Strengthening intellectual property (IP);
3.Establishing initial market traction;
4.Refining business model; and/or
5.Scaling up production.

3. TEKI in Health or Technology Transformation and Empowerment of Knowledge Generators and Innovators in Health

TEKI in Health or Technology Transformation and Empowerment of Knowledge Generators and Innovators in Health, will aim to assist researchers and research institutions who plan to have their health or health care innovations utilized through community adoption or creation of spin-off companies. The program has two kinds of TEKI Hubs:

(1)Community-based hubs (Community-based incubation for delivery of healthcare innovations) – Communities which implement innovations in health care delivery, embodying the principles of universal health care.

How to avail

This program can be availed by institutions and health researchers who have outputs from PCHRD-funded and monitored projects with potential for intellectual property protection and eventual commercialization.

Services offered:

1.Entrepreneurship mentoring
2.Documentation of Best Practices
3.Legal Counseling
4.Business Development and Marketing Assistance
5.Introduction to Networks

(2)Institution-based hubs (Technology Business Incubator for Health Technologies) – These are institutions where health innovation ideas are validated, incubated, and nurtured until these health innovations are ready for adoption by intended end-users.

Services offered:

1.Customer discovery assistance
2.Rapid prototyping and testing
3.Clinical testing
4.Business Plan/Business Model Canvas (BMC) Preparation
5.Advisory on Regulatory procedures (training on regulatory procedures for FDA registration)
6.Entrepreneurial training
7.Legal counseling
8.Space rental
9.Introduction to networks (Health Innovation Day)

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):

1. Duly accomplished prescribed research proposal form with college seal;
2. Endorsement letter from the institution signed by the head of the university and the college dean;
3. Soft copy of the proposal (word and PDF format);
4. Certificate of plant authentication;
5. 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
6. Curriculum vitae of the students and adviser.

Selection Criteria

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

1. 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.
2.  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.
3.  Relevance/Significance
   1. The study addresses an important health problem; and
   2. The study contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
4. 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 

1. 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).
2. The thesis grant will be deposited in the bank account of the thesis adviser and will be liquidated after the completion of the study.
3. A Memorandum of Agreement will be signed between the students, adviser, head of the institution, and DOST-PCHRD.
4. 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:

Finalists will also receive certificates of participation.

Schedule of Activities

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