Overview

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. 

The 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:

1. 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;
2. Provide opportunities to deserving students to study and obtain PhD degrees in molecular biomedicine in reputable institutions abroad; 
3. Contribute to the country’s health research and technological innovation capabilities through training in biomedical research; and
4. 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:

1. be a Filipino citizen;
2. be in good health condition; 
3. not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
4. have a Master’s degree in a field relevant to health and biomedicine;
5. have an outstanding academic record; 
6. have passed the admission requirements for the PhD study; 
7. have passed the interview and other screening procedures;
8. not avail or enjoy any other scholarships; and
9. be willing to render the required service obligation for a period equivalent to twice the length of time or a fraction thereof that they enjoyed the PhD scholarship.

Scholarship Privileges

1. School fees (i.e. bench fees, permits, etc.)
2. Learning materials and/or connectivity allowance
3. Living/subsistence allowance
4. Health and accident insurance
5. One round-trip economy fare from residence to Italy (start and end of the scholarship period only)
6. Pre-departure allowance (one-time only)
7. Outright dissertation grant

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Note: An applicant who has already started their studies abroad prior to application to the scholarship program can no longer apply.

2024 TIMELINE 

HOW TO APPLY

Please check the eligibility criteria in this Call before submitting your application. To signify interest in applying for the PhD scholarship program, applicants may submit their CVs on or before March 15, 2024 (Friday) 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 and 2) Re-Entry Action Plan. 

For submission of documents and any other inquiries, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Filipino researchers Dr. Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr. and Dr. Carlos Primero D. Gundran of the University of the Philippines Manila highlighted the interconnection of health and the environment in a special session during the 16th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week last 10 August 2023, at the Summit Hotel, Tacloban City. 

With the theme “Building Resilience at the Nexus of Health and Environment,” the talks focused on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), disasters, and how they are exacerbated by rapid environmental changes. 

Schistosomiasis prevalence in the Philippines

In his talk, Dr. Belizario, who is an expert in tropical medicine and public health, discussed the increasing prevalence of schistosomiasis in the Philippines. Schistosomiasis (SCH) is identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the NTDs to be addressed to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the common disease outcomes are anemia, stunting, malnutrition, impaired cognitive development in children, portal hypertension, and in some cases, death. 

“Kailangan na ‘ho i-emphasize ang NTDs para pati po tayong lahat, makatulong sa DOH at sa Pilipinas, makarating sa control and elimination by 2030,” Dr. Belizario emphasized. 

Currently, there are seven Asian countries in which SCH is endemic, including the Philippines, with a national prevalence of 4.0% in 2019. In a study on the pockets of high SCH endemicity in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte in 2019, an 8.1% prevalence was recorded among children, while the prevalence among adults was 9.8%.

According to Dr. Belizario, the most common host of Schistosoma japonicum, the disease-causing parasite, is water buffalos or kalabaw. Due to the kalabaw being an integral part of Filipino livelihoods, especially in rural communities, one of the major challenges in addressing the disease is the continuous exposure to the parasites in daily living; followed by a lack of sensitivity in diagnostic methods for the disease. 

Health amid disasters and climate change 

Focusing on disaster risk reduction and management, Dr. Carlos Primero D. Gundran, Director of the University of the Philippines Manila Center for Innovations for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health, explained the detrimental health effects of climate change. “Disasters could contribute or could cause death, disease, injury, disability,” said Dr. Gundran. 

Environmental changes such as extreme temperatures exacerbated natural disasters, and deteriorating air quality impact health according to Dr. Gundran. In 2022, the Philippines is among the top 10 countries with the most natural disasters as recorded by Statista.

Changing temperatures and high precipitation may contribute to the increased spread of vector-borne and water-borne diseases, while the occurrence of extreme events may affect an individual’s mental health. Climate change can also cause limited and contaminated food supply, which in turn, influences nutrition. 

One Health as a Solution

A proposed solution by researchers to control schistosomiasis and mitigate the health effects of climate change is the One Health Approach. The WHO defines One Health as an “approach to designing and implementing programs, policies, legislation, and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better health outcomes.” This suggests the implementation of cross-sectoral strategies to address health issues. 

Dr. Belizario highlighted the importance of collaboration between environmental health, veterinary public health, and human health to achieve targets in controlling SCH. Likewise, Dr. Gundran explained the interconnectedness of building robust response systems to mitigate the health impacts of natural disasters. 

Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya echoed the call for collaborative action for health. “We really encourage people to work across disciplines. Huwag in silos because the impact and the knowledge is lacking if we actually keep to our comfort zone,” he said. 

A replay of the session may be accessed via the DOST-PCHRD Facebook page. 

“Health and health research remain among the foremost concerns of government leaders,” said House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in his keynote speech delivered by Atty. Mark Stephen Reyes during the 16th Philippines National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week Opening Ceremonies last 10 August 2023, at the Summit Hotel, Tacloban City. 

Aligned with the theme of the 16th PNHRS Week, “Sustainable Development: Resilience through Health Resilience,” Speaker Romualdez extended the support of the House of Representatives towards building resilient health systems and inclusive healthcare. In his address, the Speaker underscored the vital role of research in the recovery from the pandemic, and shared some legislations pursued in the House that contribute to better health for Filipinos. 

Speaker Romualdez cited House Bill 6522 or the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) Act, which supports the establishment of the Philippine CDC, an institution dedicated to strengthening the country’s capacities in disease control, prevention, and response. According to the Speaker, the bill has been approved by the House on its third and final reading. 

The bill assigns the Philippine CDC as the “technical authority forecasting, analysis, strategy, formulation, and standards development for the prevention and control of all diseases” to help manage public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He also highlighted the support of the current administration for healthcare, with approximately  150 billion pesos allotted to improve health systems and health care in its 2024 proposed expenditure program. Other legislations mentioned by Speaker Romualdez are bills strengthening basic research including research on health, institutionalizing a research and development Council that monitors proposals for government funding, and creating health facilities across regions in the country. 

Further, the Speaker recognized the efforts of the PNHRS in forwarding health research and encouraged the System to take on more opportunities, “By all means, please do continue in your noble endeavor of promoting health research that is attuned and responds to the needs of our health system,” he said through Atty. Reyes.  

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, who delivered his message through Tacloban City Councilor Dr. Maria Elvira G. Casal, also expressed support for health research and the PNHRS. “It is through collaborative efforts like the Philippine National Health Research System that we can transform knowledge to action, bridging the gap between research and impact,” he said.

This year’s PNHRS Week was hosted by the Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC). The four-day celebration featured plenary sessions, capacity-building activities, and competitions that gathered Filipino health researchers across the regions. Also, a highlight of the event was the launching of the updated National Unified Health Research Agenda 2023-2028. 

To watch a virtual replay of the main conference sessions, visit the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Facebook page at facebook.com/dostpchrd.