DOST offers P5-M grant for each innovative project that will equip businesses for 'new normal'

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday said it is offering P5 million for each innovative project that will help businesses operate efficiently and safely amid the “new normal.”

In a press conference, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Cristina Rowena Guevara said the submission of the proposals will be from June 1 to June 30.

"We are going to equip industries for the new normal," she said.

“Ang hinahanap po natin ay scientific and technological solutions para sa mga businesses at ang pondo ay P5 million kada project,” she added.

The Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage the Economy or CRADLE program targets the following areas for innovation:

• sustainable supplies and logistics (supply focus)
• products for the new normal (product focus)
• reinvention of the workplace (process focus)
• services transcending boundaries (service focus)

To claim the grant, innovators from higher education institutes like universities and colleges, as well as from research and development institutes, have to partner with a Filipino private company.

The private company should provide at least 20% counterpart funding and also commit to adopt the proposed project, Guevara said. Meanwhile, the DOST will fund the development of the technology.

The program will prioritize eight sectors, including pharmaceutical and drug development, natural products, medical devices, and ICT and electronics.

Also considered are sectors promoting import-substituting products (metals and minerals), innovative food industries, animal health and livestock, as well as plants and crops.

At least two to three projects will be granted funds in each sector.

Innovators should submit their written proposal using DOST forms 2B, A, and B, and a draft of their business plan explaining how the project will help the partner company.

They must upload their proposals to DOST’s submission platform at https://dpmis.dost.gov.ph/ with the following documents:

• joint endorsement letter
• technology adoption certificate
• proof of business registration
• business permits of the past three years

“Ang mga solution po namin kapag na-develop at na-adopt na ng concern agencies and sectors ay sila na po ang magpapagulong,” DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said. —KBK, GMA News