Declaration of Policy
- Emphasizes the importance of science, technology, and engineering for national development.
- The State prioritizes research, development, invention, innovation, and utilization.
- The policy promotes development of science and technology manpower aligned with economic goals.
- Provides scholarships to deserving science students and specially gifted citizens for higher education and training in science, technology, and engineering.
- Aims to produce quality science and mathematics teachers at the secondary level, especially incentivizing teachers to work in their home regions.
General Objectives
- Strengthens science and technology education by fast-tracking graduates who will teach science and mathematics in secondary schools.
- Scholarships provided to talented and deserving third-year college students in science and technology.
- Offers incentives for recipients to pursue teaching careers in high schools, prioritizing their home regions.
Scholarship Program
- Builds upon the existing scholarships offered by DOST through its Science Education Institute under RA No. 7687.
- Offers scholarships to deserving students in their third year based on merit and competitiveness.
- Adds incentives for graduates who choose to teach science, mathematics, and technology in public or private high schools.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a Filipino citizen.
- Must be a regular third-year college student at award time.
- Enrollment must be in CHED-compliant programs in state universities, colleges, or private universities offering priority S&T courses.
- Must have a general weighted average (GWA) of 83% or higher for first and second year.
- Must qualify in the Junior-Level Science Scholarship Examination.
Award Amounts
- Recipients receive an annual award covering full financial assistance package as per RA No. 7687.
- Applies to approved undergraduate programs at quality schools including DOST Network Institutions and CHED-compliant programs.
- Private schools receive minimum slots to address tuition cost disparities.
Duration of Scholarship
- Awards cover the last two years of undergraduate study.
- For five-year courses like engineering, awards cover the last three years.
Approved Courses and Priority Programs
- Scholarship recipients must pursue degrees in science, technology, and engineering as identified by DOST.
- Priority given to applicants enrolled in CHED-compliant priority S&T courses.
Terms and Conditions
- Scholarship applicants must execute a service contract.
- Contract requires teaching as a return of service (ROS).
- Recipients must comply with approved ROS conditions.
- Non-compliance leads to full repayment of scholarships plus interest and penalties within a set period.
Return of Service Conditions
- Recipients must teach full-time high school subjects in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, IT, or Agricultural/Aquaculture/Fisheries Technology.
- Service duration is a minimum of two years.
- Teaching can be at public or private high schools.
Incentives for Teaching Graduates
- Starting salary grade equivalent to Special Science Teacher I at Philippine Science High School.
- Priority job placement in any high school nationwide, first within home province.
- One-time relocation allowance if assigned outside permanent residence.
- Access to scholarships in science education courses at designated teacher education institutions.
- Obligation to pass Licensure Examination for Teachers within 5 years of hiring.
- Graduates from RA 7687 scholarships may also opt to teach under these provisions.
Teacher Training
- Philippine Normal University (PNU) and its network, including 3NS, are tasked to provide teacher training.
- Also involves CHED-recognized teacher education and training centers.
- One thousand annual scholarships available for hired teachers.
- DepED coordinates in accordance with Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.
Eligibility for Other STEM Graduates
- Graduates and professionals not benefiting from this scholarship may apply to teach science, math, or technology in secondary schools.
- Must be Filipino citizen, have at least 83% GWA, be at least 40 years old at application, and have no conflicting service obligations.
- Eligible for teacher training programs to prepare them for teaching in their home regions.
Implementing Agencies
- DOST-SEI is the main implementing agency responsible for evaluating, awarding, and monitoring scholarships.
- SEI coordinates with other agencies for effective fulfillment of the Act's goals.
- DepED ensures job placement, hiring, and appropriate salary grades for teacher grantees.
- DepED monitors implementation including hired teachers' performance.
Review and Monitoring
- DepED, CHED, and DOST must report to the President and Congress three years after enactment and annually thereafter.
- Reports to include recommendations and tracer studies on scholarship recipients.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DOST and DepED must issue implementing rules within 60 days from the Act’s approval.
Appropriations
- Initial implementation funded from current appropriations of SEI under DOST.
- Subsequent funding through the Science and Technology Scholarship Fund under RA No. 7687 and annual General Appropriations Act.
- SEI authorized to accept domestic and foreign grants and donations.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions remain effective.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, and administrative regulations are repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette and two national newspapers of general circulation.