(Updated on July 30, 2019) If you’re one of those bright-eyed, ambitious students eyeing higher studies and a full-time career in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), you might want try your luck and smarts at the country’s premier science scholarship program.
The Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Scholarship Program was reestablished in 2018, after a two-year hiatus due to the implementation of the K-12 curriculum. A total of 9,788 new scholars qualified for the 2020 edition of DOST-SEI’s undergraduate scholarship programs.
FlipScience compiled the following information about the DOST scholarship programs to help young aspiring scientists and engineers pursue their science degrees and careers.
There are actually separate programs for Undergraduate and Graduate students.
2021 S&T Undergraduate Scholarship Program
There are two undergraduate DOST scholarship options:
1. RA 7687
Under Republic Act No. 7687 (Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994), S&T scholarships are awarded to poor, talented, and deserving students who belong to families whose socio-economic status do not exceed the set cut-off values.
To be eligible, the applicant must be:
◆ A natural-born Filipino citizen;
◆ A financially challenged student from a family whose socio-economic status does not exceed the set cut-off values of certain indicators;
◆ A member of the top 5% of the Non-STEM Strand senior high school graduating class OR a member of the STEM Strand senior high school graduating class;
◆ A resident of the municipality for the last 4 years, to be verified by the barangay captain;
◆ In good health and of good moral character; and
◆ A qualifier for the S&T Scholarship Examination.
2. Merit
Scholarships are awarded to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics who are willing to pursue careers in the fields of science and technology.
To be eligible, the applicant must be:
◆ A natural-born Filipino citizen;
◆ A member of the top 5% of the Non-STEM Strand senior high school graduating class OR a member of the STEM Strand senior high school graduating class;
◆ In good health and of good moral character; and
◆ A qualifier for the S&T Scholarship Examination.
School Placement
The scholarship qualifiers must enrol in any of the following:
1. State Universities and Colleges (SUC)
2. Private higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Centers of Excellence (COE) or Centers of Development (COD) for the priority S&T programs
3. Institutions with Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) Level III accreditation for the priority S&T programs
S&T Priority Courses
Scholars can choose to pursue Aeronautical Engineering, Agriculture, Animal Science, Biochemistry, Forestry, Geology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Marine Science, Meteorology, Pharmacy, Public Health, and many more. The complete list of priority S&T programs can be downloaded from the DOST-SEI website.
Privileges
◇ Tuition and other school fees (₱40,000.00/year; ₱1,500.00 for summer, if required by curriculum)
◇ Book allowance (₱10,000.00/year; ₱500.00 for summer, if required by curriculum)
◇ Monthly living allowance (stipend rate at P7,000/month across all disciplines)
◇ Transportation allowance for those studying outside of home province (1 economy-class roundtrip fare)
◇ Group health and accident insurance
◇ MS/PE uniform allowance for first semester of first year only (₱1,000.00)
◇ Post-graduation clothing allowance
Securing and Filing DOST Scholarship Applications
The application process for the 2021 DOST-SEI undergraduate scholarship program is online – click this link to apply.
Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications to the 2021 undergraduate scholarship program is on August 28, 2020. The nationwide examination will be on October 25, 2020.
S&T Graduate Scholarship Program
There are four graduate DOST scholarship options:
1. ASTHRDP-NSC
This refers to scholarships in Master’s and Doctorate degrees in priority S&T areas through the implementation of the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program – National Science Consortium (ASTHRDP-NSC).
To be eligible, the applicant must:
◆ Be a natural-born Filipino citizen;
◆ Not be more than 45 years old at the time of application;
◆ Be in good health;
◆ Pass the admission requirements for graduate studies at any of the NSC member-universities;
◆ Pass the interview and other screening procedures; and
◆ Have no criminal or administrative cases.
2. ERDT
This refers to scholarships in Master’s and Doctorate degrees in various engineering fields through the implementation of the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT).
To be eligible, the applicant must:
◆ Be a natural-born Filipino citizen;
◆ Not be more than 45 years old at the time of application;
◆ Be in good health;
◆ Pass the admission requirements for graduate studies at any of the ERDT member-universities;
◆ Have a BS/MS degree in engineering or related field; and
◆ Have no criminal or administrative cases.
3. CBPSME
This refers to scholarships in Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Science and Mathematics Education through the implementation of the Capacity Building Program in Science and Mathematics Education (CBPSME), in partnership with the National Consortium in Graduate Science and Mathematics Education.
To be eligible, the applicant must:
◆ Be a natural-born Filipino citizen;
◆ Not be more than 45 years old at the time of application;
◆ Be in good health and of good moral character;
◆ Pass the admission requirements for graduate studies at any of the consortium member-universities;
◆ Have at least two years teaching experience in science and mathematics for PhD, or at least one year teaching experience or have graduated with academic honors or graduated as DOST scholar for Master’s;
◆ (If employed:) Be allowed to study full-time for two or three years and part-time for six years of Distance Education Mode.
◆ Not be a recipient of other scholarships;
◆ Be willing to accept the terms and conditions specified in the Scholarship Contract which include, among others, return service.
4. Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program
From the DOST-SEI page:
The program aims to provide master’s and doctoral degrees in specialized priority fields in science and technology to develop a pool of high quality human resources in science and engineering who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development; provide opportunities to talented and deserving students to study and obtain MS and PhD degrees in science and engineering in reputable institutions abroad; and upgrade the country’s research and technological innovation capabilities in the area of advanced sciences and emerging technologies.
The priority S&T programs are as follows:
A scholar may enroll in either 1) a foreign university with good track record or 2) a recognized higher education/research institution in their preferred specialized S&T field.
For the complete and updated list, please visit the DOST-SEI Postgraduate Scholarships page, or call (02) 837-1333, 839-0083, and 837-2071 local 2382.
Privileges
◇ Tuition and other school fees
◇ Book allowance
◇ Monthly living allowance
◇ Transportation allowance
◇ Thesis/Dissertation Grant
◇ Research Grant
◇ Group health and accident insurance for ASTHRDP-NSC and CBPSME
Deadlines
Deadlines for submission vary according to scholarship type and the actual school placement. –MF
References:
- http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/
- DOST-SEI press release
Author: Faye de Jesus
Faye de Jesus is a freelance writer and communications specialist with over 15 years of experience in corporate messaging and branding, PR, media and stakeholder relations. She volunteers for education- and learning-centered projects and likes sharing her love for books, reading, and learning with children.
