This year, the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week returns with a bold call: “One Health for All,” as it gathers over 500 health researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the country on 13-15 August 2025 in Legazpi City, Albay to advance inclusive, transdisciplinary solutions addressing the interconnected challenges of human, animal, and environmental health.
Hosted by the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the 18th PNHRS Week will serve as a national convergence point for regional research consortia, academic institutions, government agencies, and civil society organizations championing health equity through science and innovation.
Anchored on the theme “One Health for All: Igniting Transdisciplinary Solutions for a Healthier Philippines,” the celebration will spotlight the urgent need for collaborative frameworks that break down silos between disciplines and sectors to deliver holistic, evidence-based responses to public health threats.
The three-day event will feature plenary sessions, research competitions, policy dialogues, and technical committee meetings that reflect the System’s priority to bridge research, policy, and practice in line with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA).
Key Highlights:
Talakayang HeaRT Beat Press Conference (August 13)
Kicking off the celebration, the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference will feature key dignitaries from the four core implementing agencies of PNHRS to provide insights into the activities of the 3-day celebration. This will provide context and direction for the upcoming plenaries, fora, meetings, and competitions, and will be immediately followed by the official opening ceremonies and exhibit launch.
Plenary Session 1: Home-grown Inter-agency Initiatives towards Optimal Collaborations
The opening plenary will highlight successful multi-agency health projects developed and scaled across the country, focusing on local solutions with national impact.
Research Competitions and Exhibits (August 14)
Students and professionals from across the country will present their research through oral and poster sessions, while the 3-Minute Pitch to Policymakers will challenge researchers to distill key findings into compelling, policy-ready messages.
Committee and Business Meetings
Converging the national Technical Working Committees on Research Utilization, Research Agenda Management, and others, the sessions aim to refine implementation strategies of the PNHRS Strategic Plan and national research priorities.
Plenary Session 2: Innovation, Education, and Governance Integration in One Health (August 15)
The final plenary will explore how aligning innovations, academic initiatives, and governance mechanisms can lead to more sustainable and inclusive health systems under the One Health framework.
Celebrated annually every second week of August under Presidential Proclamation No. 1309, the PNHRS Week affirms the country’s long-term vision of a responsive, inclusive, and collaborative national health research system that works for every Filipino.
For updates and registration details, visit the DOST-PCHRD Facebook page.
Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) flew to Bicol to participate in the 3rd Joint Meeting in preparation for the 18th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week Celebration, organized in partnership with the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD). The face-to-face meeting was held at the Lotus Blu Hotel in Legazpi City, and included a series of on-site activities such as food tasting and an ocular inspection of the event venue.
The on-ground presence of both the DOST-PCHRD and BCHRD team ensured a hands-on approach to finalizing key logistical and program details, while the rest of the PCHRD working committees actively participated via Zoom video conferencing. This hybrid setup allowed for collaborative discussions and streamlined decision-making in preparation for the upcoming celebration.
The PNHRS Week is celebrated every second week of August in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 1309 of June 2007.
The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the University of Trieste (UniTS), and Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) entered into an agreement to develop and implement a program focused on molecular hepatology within the PhD Program in Molecular Biomedicine of UniTS. The three-year program integrates basic research and clinics focusing on the study of molecular approaches to cancer biology, genetics, jaundice, and metabolic diseases in the liver.
Applicant’s research interests must be aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA).
Program Objectives
The PhD program aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Develop a pool of high-quality human resources in molecular biomedicine (molecular hepatology in particular) who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development;
- Provide opportunities to deserving students to study and obtain PhD degrees in molecular biomedicine in reputable institutions abroad;
- Contribute to the country’s health research and technological innovation capabilities through training on biomedical research; and
- Create the basis for a Filipino Liver Network integrating basic and clinical research in liaison with FIF.
Capacity
Two (2) positions for the PhD program are available each year at UniTS-FIF (subject to the availability of funds).
Eligibility
The applicant must:
- be a Filipino citizen;
- not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
- be in good health condition;
- have a Master’s degree in a field relevant to health and biomedicine;
- have an outstanding academic record;
- have passed the admission requirements for the PhD study in UniTS;
- have passed the interview and other screening procedures;
- not avail or enjoy any other scholarships;
- not engage in any form of employment while on scholarship; and
- be willing to render the required service obligation.
Scholarship Privileges
- School fees (i.e. bench fees, permits, etc.)
- Learning materials and/or connectivity allowance
- Living/subsistence allowance
- Health and accident insurance
- One actual round-trip economy fare from residence to Italy (start and end of the scholarship period only)
- Pre-departure allowance (one-time only)
- Outright dissertation grant
SELECTION PROCEDURE
| Scholarship Application |
The applicant must submit the necessary requirements for the Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program to DOST-PCHRD |
| Document Screening |
Documentary evaluation of the accomplished forms and other requirements |
| Technical interview and evaluation |
Technical interview by a panel composed of DOST-PCHRD Director, FIF Scientific Director, member(s) of the PhD program in molecular medicine of UniTS, and other health research experts to assess:
-
- Academic background and learning ability
- Capacity for completing the study in Italy
- Possibility of contributing to the development of the country
- Compatibility to the university course
|
| Final Selection |
The panel will identify the successful PhD student(s) among the candidates interviewed. |
Note: An applicant who has already started their studies abroad prior to application to the scholarship program can no longer apply.
2025 TIMELINE
| (2024) December 26 |
Opening of the Call for Applications/Submission of Application |
| February 10 |
Deadline for Submission of Application via Online Portal |
| February 20 |
Document Screening and Shortlisting of Applicants |
| March 11 |
In-person interview |
| April |
Final evaluation of PCHRD-UniTS-FIF selection committee |
| May |
Announcement of the accepted candidate(s) |
| June-September |
Preparation of necessary documents (visa, insurance, bank account, etc.) and signing of scholarship agreement |
| October |
Orientation of Scholars and Departure |
| November 1 |
Start of PhD program |
HOW TO APPLY
Please check the eligibility criteria of this Call before submitting your application. To signify interest in applying for the PhD scholarship program, applicants may submit their CVs on or before February 10, 2025 (Monday) through the online portal. Only eligible applicants will be entertained.
Eligible applicants will be asked to submit the following documents for the initial screening:
1) Application Form with recent ID pic
2) Re-Entry Action Plan (narrative)
3) Certifications for all qualifications undertaken (i.e. Certificate of Master’s Degree/Diploma)
4) Transcript of records (Certified true copy)
5) Recommendation letters from two (2) former professors in the Master’s program
6) If employed,
- Certificate of Employment
- Endorsement letter from Head of Agency
- Permission to take a leave of absence (LOA) while on scholarship
For any other inquiries, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
