Implementing Rules for RA 10612 Scholarship Act

Science, technology, and engineering are vital for national development.
State prioritizes research, development, innovation, and science and technology education and training.
Ensures availability of quality science and mathematics teachers at secondary level.
Provides scholarships to deserving science students and incentives for teaching in home regions.

Strengthen S&T education by fast-tracking graduates in science, mathematics, and engineering.
Scholarships to finance education for talented third-year college students in S&T areas.
Incentivize careers in teaching science and mathematics in secondary schools.

Clarifications on key terms such as the Act, CHED-compliant programs, General Weighted Average (GWA), S&T Priority Courses, RA No. 10533, and Regular Third-Year College Student.

Builds on DOST-SEI’s existing S&T Scholarships from RA No. 7687 (1994).
Fast-tracks S&T graduates through scholarships during their third year.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens, regular third-year college students enrolled in CHED-compliant priority S&T courses, have a GWA at least 83%, and pass the Junior Level Science Scholarship Exam.

Award amount equals full financial assistance package under RA No. 7687.
Recipients receive support for last two (or three) years of undergraduate study depending on course length.
Priority given to approved S&T courses as identified by DOST.

Scholars must enter a service contract to teach at secondary level in public or private high schools.
Failure to comply entails repayment plus interest.
Service contract specifies breach conditions and penalties.

Awardees must teach full-time in relevant S&T subjects for at least two years.
Incentives include:
- Starting salary grade equivalent to Special Science Teacher I.
- Priority job placement with preference in home province.
- One-time relocation allowance.
- Scholarships for teacher education courses.
- Teaching opportunities for those not yet licensed, provided they pass Licensure Examination within five years.
Hiring guided by RA No. 10533 provisions.
Teacher training programs provided by Philippine Normal University and other institutions with 1,000 scholarships annually.

Non-scholarship STEM graduates may apply to teach science, math, or technology subjects.
Eligibility criteria include Filipino citizenship, STEM degree with at least 83% GWA, age below 40, no existing conflicting service obligations, and compliance with PRC and RA No. 10533 requirements.
Eligible graduates entitled to teacher training.
Hiring follows RA No. 10533 guidelines.

DOST-SEI manages evaluation, awarding, and monitoring of scholarships and scholars.
Coordinates with agencies to fulfill Act’s goals.
DepEd ensures job placement, hiring at special salary grades, and monitors hired teachers.

DOST and DepEd to conduct information and advocacy campaigns, focusing on areas with teacher shortages.
Annual reports and periodic reviews submitted to the President and Congress.
Regular bi-annual inter-agency meetings for policy and program improvements.

Initial funding charged to current SET budget under DOST.
Subsequent funding included in annual General Appropriations Act.
SEI authorized to accept domestic and foreign grants and donations for scholarships.

Amendments jointly issued by Secretaries of DOST and DepEd.
Invalid provisions do not affect other parts of the IRR.
IRR takes effect 15 days after publication in official gazette or newspaper.
Registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register at UP Law Center.