The Philippine Department of Science and Technology is offering scholarships under the DOST Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program. The program’s goal is to assist Filipino professionals, researchers, and scientists who want to study for master’s or doctoral degrees in science and engineering at recognized foreign universities. The program offers qualified persons chances for advanced study and training in a range of scientific subjects with the goal of enhancing the nation’s research and development capabilities.

Details About DOST Scholarship

Here are some key details about the DOST Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program:

• Country: Philippines
• Scholarship Name: DOST Scholarship Program
• Duration: 1 year, renewed each year
• Benefits: Up to PHP 140000
• Deadline: 15 August, 2024

Benefits

The DOST Scholarship provides a comprehensive financial package to its recipients. The benefits include:

• Stipend: Scholars receive a monthly stipend of PHP 7,000 to cover living expenses.
• Tuition and Other School Fees: Up to PHP 40,000 per academic year is covered.
• Book Allowance: An annual allowance of PHP 10,000 for books and other learning materials.
• Thesis Allowance: A one-time thesis allowance of PHP 10,000 is provided to students who are enrolled in postgraduate programs.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the DOST Scholarship, applicants must meet several eligibility requirements, which include:

• Citizenship: Applicants must be natural-born Filipino citizens.
•  Education: Candidates should be either Grade 12 students or graduates from high school. For those who are already in college, only first-year students can apply.
• Academic Performance: Applicants must belong to the top 5% of their high school graduating class or have a GPA of at least 85% in STEM subjects.
• Health: Candidates should be in good health and be of good moral character.
• Intended Course: Applicants must pursue a degree program in a recognized institution in the Philippines that is listed as a priority course by DOST.
• Foreign Scholarship: If a student wants to study abroad with the help of this scholarship, then he/she must meet the admission requirements of the foreign university where the applicant intends to enroll.
• Age: Not older than 35 years old for master’s degree applicants, and not older than 50 years old for doctoral degree applicants.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents when applying for the DOST Scholarship:

• Duly accomplished application form, available on the DOST website.
• A certified true copy of the birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
• For undergraduate students, a certified copy of the high school mark sheet is required.
• Recent passport-sized photographs are also required.
• For graduate students, transcripts of records from previous degrees.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume.
• Letters of recommendation from professors or professionals.
• Proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS scores).
• Valid passport and other identification documents.

Application Process

The application process for the DOST Scholarship involves several steps:

1. Online Registration: Applicants must register and create an account on the official DOST-SEI website.
2. Completion of Application Form: Fill out the form accurately and completely.
3. Submission of Documents: Upload the required documents to the online portal.
4. Examination: Eligible applicants will be scheduled for the DOST-SEI Scholarship Examination, which is a crucial part of the selection process.
5. Application Evaluation for Graduate Students: After the application deadline, a panel of experts from the DOST reviews the submitted applications. They assess each applicant’s academic credentials, research proposal (if applicable), letters of recommendation, and other relevant documents.
6. Interview: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview as part of the selection process.
7. Acceptance and Visa Processing: Scholars who are accepted into the program need to formally accept the offer and complete any required documentation. This might include applying for a student visa, securing housing arrangements, and fulfilling any additional requirements of the host university.

Deadline

The last date to apply for the undergraduate scholarship is in May, and for the foreign graduate scholarship, the last date to apply is in mid-April.

Conclusion:

The DOST Scholarship is an exceptional opportunity for Filipino students to advance their  education in the fields of  science and technology in national and foreign  educational institutions.

By providing substantial financial support and additional benefits, the scholarship program not only eases the financial burden on students and their families but also empowers the scholars to contribute meaningfully to the country’s scientific community.