ACCELERATED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

2025-2026

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP) is a unified and innovative human resource program aimed at accelerating the production of high-level human resources by awarding MS and PhD scholarships to eligible individuals who will fill the gaps of identified areas of science and technology. It hopes to achieve a continuing supply of scientists and technologists who are well equipped to conduct cutting edge researches for the country’s development.

GOALS

To help improve the country’s global competitiveness and capability to innovate through Science and Technology (S&T).

To accelerate the production of high-level human resources needed for Research & Development (R&D) in S&T.

SANDWICH PROGRAM

The Sandwich Program is open to ongoing ASTHRDP scholar in the MS and PhD program who has already completed his/her academic courses in a NSC member-university and has an approved research proposal and intends to conduct part of his/her research work (thesis/dissertation) in a foreign university identified by/or deemed accepted to DOST.

The research work must be in any of the DOST priority areas of study, to be conducted for a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 1 year.

The financial assistance shall be for a maximum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos depending on the place and duration of study. Privileges includes roundtrip economy airfare, stipend/living allowance, book allowance*, accommodation, medical insurance*, tuition fee and other school fees, clothing allowance* subject to evaluation and approval.

*allowances will depend on the place and duration of study

CAREER INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The Career Incentive Program (CIP) is a short-term scheme to address the administration’s call to strengthen the country’s S&T capability and avert the unemployment of graduates of DOST-SEI graduate scholarships and provide them the opportunity to work in research activities where they can contribute their knowledge and expertise.

This program is open to MS and Ph.D. graduates of the ASTHRDP. Interested scholar-graduates may apply to the CIP. SEI will deploy them to a DOST agency/research institution that needs their expertise for research projects/ activities.

A scholar-graduate shall assume the position of Graduate Fellow position with the corresponding compensation to be provided by the Science Education Institute.

PRIORITY FIELDS

  • Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Earth, Atmospheric and Space Sciences
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Fisheries and Marine Science
  • Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Materials Science and Nanotechnology
  • Pure and Applied Mathematics
  • Pure and Applied Physics
  • Statistics
  • Please refer to the list of ASTHRDP graduate program offerings per university here.

TYPE OF SCHOLARSHIP

  • MS/PhD Degree Program
  • Straight PhD Program

PRIORITY AREAS FOR THESIS/DISSERTATION

Scholars are encouraged to choose topics for their thesis/dissertation along the following areas:

  • Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness
  • Materials Science and Nanotechnology
  • Natural Products and Drug Development

CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY

An applicant must:

  • be a Filipino citizen;
  • not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
  • be in good health condition;
  • pass the admission requirements for graduate studies at any of the NSC member universities and;
  • pass the interview and other screening procedures.

Who else may apply?

  • PhD graduate in a priority S&T program (scholar or non-scholar) who intends to pursue a second PhD degree.
  • MS/PhD non-scholar graduate (not S&T related) who intends to pursue a second MS/PhD degree.

Who may NO longer apply?

  • PhD graduate (scholar or non-scholar) who intends to pursue another MS degree program.
  • MS graduate in a priority S&T program (scholar or non-scholar) who intends to pursue a second MS degree.

SCHOLARSHIP PRIVILEGES

TERMS OF SCHOLARSHIP

1

The scholarship award shall be for full-time graduate studies to ensure on time completion of the MS/PhD degree in any of the DOST identified priority fields.

2

The scholar must NOT be employed or practicing his/ her profession while on scholarship. He/She must secure approval for official leave of absence, if employed.

3

The awardee shall execute a Scholarship Agreement with the DOST-SEI and the NSC member-university where the awardee intends to enroll.

4

The academic performance of the scholar shall be evaluated every school term based on established policies to determine his/her scholarship status.

5

The scholar shall be required to render service obligation in the Philippines on full-time basis after he/ she finishes the MS/PhD degree, i.e. one year service for every year of scholarship.

6

The scholar shall be required to refund the scholarship grant with interest for non-completion of his/her graduate program or failure to comply with the service obligation.

REQUIREMENTS

Additional Requirements for Lateral Applicants

  • Certification from university indicating:
    • Number of graduate units required in the program
    • Number of graduate units earned with corresponding grades

SUBMIT REQUIREMENTS TO:

DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

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