QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 7687)
RA 7687 is titled the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994.” It institutes a science and technology scholarship program to develop the country’s science and technology manpower by providing scholarships, grants-in-aid, and other incentives to deserving students and specially-gifted citizens.
The State gives priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and services.
It is a fund created by the law to support the scholarship program. It is administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The initial implementation is charged against the DOST’s current fiscal year appropriations. For continuous implementation, the DOST budget shall increase by P60M per year until it reaches P300M to sustain scholarship recipients during their study duration.
Scholarships apply only in the field of science, mathematics, engineering, and such other areas in undergraduate or postgraduate courses as provided in DOST and DECS/DOST-DEC(S) rules and regulations.
No. Section 6 provides that the scholarship grant for the post-graduate level shall not be limited to recipients who are graduates of the undergraduate scholarship program.
Financial assistance may include tuition and other school fees; outright grant for prescribed textbooks and essential school supplies; outright grant for prescribed military science and physical education uniform; transportation expenses; and monthly living allowance. Availability of funds, purchasing power, and rates from other government scholarship programs must be considered.
Applicants must be (1) in the top five percent (5%) of the high school graduating class; (2) a resident of the municipality for the last four (4) years prior to availing the scholarship (attested by school records); and (3) of good moral character and in good health.
The program supports appropriate courses for value formation to inculcate virtues of nationalism, industriousness, honesty, commitment to national development, and an effective work ethic.
The DOST must provide proportional and equitable allotment of slots for identified science and technology fields to balance manpower distribution. It must organize a program enlisting at least two (2) scholars in each municipality, and at least ten (10) scholars for congressional districts without municipality.
Qualified members of the cultural minority may be given due preference, in appropriate cases.
Recipients must pursue their specified degree program and/or technical/vocational courses at accredited institutions (DECS and DOST-accredited, and private schools accredited by FAAP). Refusal or failure to comply is a ground for disqualification from the program.
Yes. The grant includes the opportunity to study abroad in schools specializing in covered courses. A grantee who qualifies for study abroad must execute an undertaking to return to the country to fulfill the service obligation based on the length of the scholarship.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is directed to give full assistance in enforcing the undertaking.
Immediately upon completion, the scholar must serve the country on a full-time basis along their field of training for a minimum period equivalent to the length of time enjoyed under the scholarship, by rendering service to their province or municipality (e.g., organizing technology-based livelihood activities/enterprises, teaching, or other service related to the course). A contract between the Government and the scholar must be executed.
The scholar must render service equivalent to the number of years they enjoyed the scholarship.
The scholar shall be liable to reimburse the Government of the fund assistance received under the Act in full or pro tanto, depending on the circumstances.
Incentives include priority for job placement in government or private sector in appropriate positions; grants-in-aid and access to government research facilities; access to credit with liberal terms from government banks and financial institutions; hardship/hazard allowances for dangerous research/science activities; and travel and accident insurance coverage.
The Committee is chaired by the Secretary of Science and Technology. Members include the heads (or representatives) of agencies such as Education, Culture and Sports; Budget and Management; Agriculture; Trade and Industry; Interior and Local Government; Finance; and NEDA, plus two private sector representatives (one from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and one from other sectors). Its role is advisory in implementation coordination.
The scholarship program is directly implemented by the DOST through the Science Education Institute (SEI).