QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11035)
RA 11035 declares State policy to support the participation of science, technology, or innovation experts of Filipino descent in research and development initiatives, recognizing such expertise as vital to the country’s political, economic, and social development. It provides benefits and incentives to encourage and support their participation to strengthen scientific and technological human resources of public or private institutions and industry.
The Program is administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
DOST must: (1) survey and identify expertise absent/limited locally in coordination with host institutions; (2) manage and facilitate application processing and awards for engagement; (3) provide/facilitate release of benefits and incentives in coordination with host institutions; (4) issue rules and regulations, including clarification of related rules of other agencies; (5) monitor implementation and fulfillment of Balik Scientist obligations in coordination with host institutions; (6) assess impact of individual engagements and the overall program; and (7) issue guiding R&D and industry development agendas to prioritize awards and grants-in-aid.
To strengthen scientific and technological human resources of the academe, public and private institutions, including locally registered enterprises, promote knowledge sharing, and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country through approved short-, medium-, and long-term engagements.
A Balik Scientist is a science/technology/innovation expert or professional certified by DOST who is a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent, and who undertakes S&T activities under a host institution for short-, medium-, or long-term engagement. Eligibility conditions: (1) resident of another country at time of application; or (2) a Philippine-resident for not more than three (3) years at time of application, counted from the most recent date of arrival from overseas education or employment along the field of expertise. Those without graduate degrees with exceptional expertise may also qualify.
(a) Short-Term: minimum 15 days to max 6 months per award, served within one year from award date. (b) Medium-Term: more than 6 months but not exceed 1 year per award, served within 2 to 3 years from award date. (c) Long-Term: more than 1 year up to 3 years, subject to renewal as determined by DOST, served within 5 years from award date.
General benefits include: (1) exemption from PRC licensing/permitting requirements (DOST submits list to PRC with engagement duration); (2) accident and medical insurance covering the awarded duration; (3) reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage related to scientific project/activities; (4) exemption from renouncing oath of allegiance to the country where the oath was taken, unless the Balik Scientist later repatriates and retains a government position (as applicable); (5) tax and duty exemption in donation of equipment/instruments/materials to DOST (DOST bears freight/storage); and (6) tax and duty exemption in importation of professional equipment/instruments/materials of the Balik Scientist.
Short-term benefits include: (1) one round-trip airfare from a foreign country to the Philippines, exempt from Philippine travel tax; (2) when applicable, DOST-subsidized and facilitated visa with validity covering engagement duration; (3) tax-exempt daily allowance (rate determined by DOST); and (4) participation in DOST Grants-in-Aid (GIA) research and development projects subject to IRR guidelines, where a grant may be provided and released through the host institution in accordance with relevant regulations and program needs.
Long-term includes: airfare for awardees, spouses, and minor dependents; special nonimmigrant visa with validity covering engagement; exemptions from DOLE alien employment permit requirement for Balik Scientists and spouses; exemption from immigration clearance certificate and multiple entry fees; tax/duty exemptions for personal/household effects and professional equipment; tax/duty exemption in importation of one motor vehicle with GVW not exceeding 3.5 tons (with conditions); admission assistance for minor children; job opportunity assistance for the spouse; relocation allowance; monthly housing/accommodation allowance; and funding for establishment/development of a facility or laboratory (treated as government property).
No. RA 11035 provides that the facility or laboratory funded for the establishment and development is deemed government property.
All Balik Scientists are eligible for exemption from PRC licensing/permitting requirements, but DOST must submit to PRC the list of Balik Scientists and the corresponding duration of their awarded engagements.
They assume mentorship, leadership, professional or technical roles in DOST’s R&D Leadership Program and similar initiatives, included in the contract among DOST, the host agency, and the Balik Scientist awardee.
DOST requires Balik Scientists to submit accomplishment reports after serving their term. DOST must also submit an Annual Summary Report of the Program to the Committees on Science and Technology of both Houses of Congress, with accurate accounting of expenditures and work-related activities for the term.
DOST must create and maintain a databank/directory of Balik Scientists who availed of the Program since implementation began, to guide in promoting Filipino scientific research and technological human resources for R&D in public and private corporations.
Within 90 days from the effectivity of RA 11035.
15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.