The Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium (MMHRDC), through its Resource Mobilization Committee, has recently hosted its annual MMHRDC Webinar on Research Grants and Scholarships yesterday, 26 July 2025, at 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM via Zoom.
The webinar was moderated by Ms. Aila Nell Sarmiento and it featured resource speakers from key institutions, such as the Commission on Higher Education-National Capital Region (CHED-NCR), Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), and Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR), who have discussed the available research grants and scholarships opportunities they offer to many aspiring researchers and scholars who are facing challenges in accessing funding due to limited awareness of funding opportunities, application, and management, as well as scholarship programs.
From CHED-NCR, Ms. Adelma Tercia shared the Philippine Development Plan (2023-2028) detailing the advancement of research and development (R&D) and innovation, as well as the CHED Research Strategies and Research Programs covering various funding and grants, collaboration opportunities, and application processes.
From DOST-PCHRD, Ms. Melissa Bulao shared the guiding roles and agendas of PCHRD in Health Research, supporting a wide range of R&D programs through open and targeted calls to proposals nationwide. Ms. Rubee Ellaine Perez later detailed several programs catered to students (from high school to doctoral) and career professionals in Human Resource Development involving funding and grants, fellowships, scholarships, and awards.
From DOST-NCR, Ms. Bianca Claudette R. Canlas shared several opportunities to research projects encompassing several regional R&D sectors in Metro Manila, promoting Smart and Sustainable Communities through the SMART Program, and small grants.
The webinar also featured doctoral scientists who have shared their firsthand experience in securing, managing, and benefitting from research support and scholarship programs.
Dr. Lorraine Kay D. Cabral and Dr. Anna Karen C. Laserna, both of whom are living testimonies of such research grants and scholarships and their beneficial goals toward the community, have emphasized the need to strive for a greater dream they envision—not only for themselves, but also for the Filipino community—by pursuing new avenues that lead to new opportunities. Essentially, it is a journey not only of science, but also of faith.
The webinar successfully gathered faculty and researchers from MMHRDC member institutions, upcoming/current undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students in the health science and other related fields, as well as early-career professionals who are interested in pursuing doctoral degrees and research opportunities, enhancing their awareness to these opportunities in accessing research grants and scholarships.
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