Qualification

The right to submit application and be awarded as a Balik Scientist shall be enjoyed by:

Foreign-based Filipinos or foreigners of Filipino descent

With graduate or advanced degrees

Internationally-recognized experts in the priority sectors of DOST

Willing to come back and serve on a short, medium or long term basis

Types of Awards

Short Term

15 days to 6 months

To be served within 1 year

Incentives

  • 1 international round trip airfare
  • Daily Allowance (USD 200/day or the UNDP rate, whichever is higher)
  • Subsidized visa application
  • Round trip domestic airfare and accommodation for 1 local conference
  • Health and medical (including dental) insurance (Php 250,000/illness)
  • Accident/travel insurance (up to Php 3 Million coverage)
  • Freight, Excess baggage allowance (up to 25 kg)
  • GIA funding for research (proposal driven)
  • Membership in the NRCP and 1 professional organization
  • 1 round trip domestic airfare and accommodation for Annual BSP Convention
  • One-time incentive for outstanding completion
  • Exemption from PRC requirements

Medium Term

6 months to 1 year

To be served within 2 to 3 years

Incentives

  • 1 international round trip airfare
  • Daily Allowance (USD 200/day or the UNDP rate, whichever is higher)
  • Subsidized visa application
  • Round trip domestic airfare and accommodation for 2 local conferences
  • Health and medical (including dental) insurance
    (Php 250,000/illness)
  • Accident/travel insurance (up to Php 3 Million coverage)
  • Freight, Excess baggage allowance (up to 25 kg)
  • GIA funding for research (proposal driven)
  • Membership in the NRCP and 1 professional organization
  • 1 round trip domestic airfare and accommodation for Annual BSP Convention
  • One-time incentive for outstanding completion
  • Exemption from PRC requirements

Long Term

1 to 3 years

To be served within 5 years

Incentives

  • 1 international round trip airfare for the Scientist, spouse and dependents
  • Special non-immigrant visa for the Scientist, spouse and dependents
  • Relocation allowance (Php 250,000)
  • Housing allowance (up to Php 40,000/month)
  • Transportation allowance (Php 5,000/month)
  • Salary equivalent to at least SG 24
  • Round trip domestic airfare and accommodation for 3 local conferences
  • Health and medical (Including dental) insurance (Php 250,000/illness)
  • Accident/travel insurance (up to Php 3 Million coverage)
  • Freight, Excess baggage allowance (up to 25 kg)
  • GIA funding for research (proposal driven)
  • Membership in the NRCP and 1 professional organization
  • 1 round trip domestic airfare and accommodation for annual BSP Convention
  • One-time incentive for outstanding completion
  • Exemption from PRC requirements

Requirements

  • Accomplished BSP Application Form (BSP Form 001)
  • Accomplished Terms of Reference (BSP Form 002)
  • Endorsement letter from the Host Institution(s)
  • Medical Certificate
  • Copy of passport and page with stamp of the most recent date of arrival
    • For non-Filipino passport holders, submit proof of Filipino descent i.e., birth certificate, sworn statement)
  • Copy of diploma or transcript of record or certificate of academic achievement(s) from a credible local or international public/private institution/association
  • Detailed/Updated Curriculum Vitae
    • Educational Background
    • Field of Specialization
    • Areas of Research Interest
    • Professional/Employment/Work History including significant scientific, technological and/or entrepreneurial activities undertaken
    • Significant achievements (up to 3) made related to your expertise or profession
    • Relevant trainings, and fellowship or grants)
  • For subsequent visit, justification by the host institution for the subsequent engagement

If requirements are complete, the processing of application and admission to the Balik Scientist Program may take at most 1 month. Applications may be submitted to:

Balik Scientist Secretariat

DOST Building, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila 1631, Philippines

bsp@dost.gov.ph

Application Process

StepApplicantActivity of the Office-in-chargeDuration of ActivityOffice-in-charge
1Submits the application and documentary requirementsReceives, acknowledges submitted application, reviews completeness of documents relative to the application and qualification of the potential Balik Scientist/ host institution1 working dayBSP Secretariat of Concerned Council
For applications with complete documents:
Forwards application to the technical evaluators of the concerned Council.

For applications with incomplete documents:
Advises potential host institution/Balik Scientist to submit the lacking requirement(s);		1 working dayBSP Secretariat of Concerned Council
Evaluates the application based on the documents provided including the accomplishments, outputs from previous engagement (if applicable), and the merit of the Balik Scientist’s visit if aligned with DOST priority areas;

Recommend revisions in the terms of reference (TOR) as necessary;
Solicit comments/views from other concerned Council/s, if applicable;		Within 5 working daysTechnical Evaluators of the Concerned Council/Council Heads
For qualified applicants, submits recommendations to the OUSEC for R&D;
For applicants not qualified, notifies the Scientist/Host of the disapproval of the application.		1 working dayBSP Secretariat of Concerned Council
Checks result of evaluation.

If the Usec for R&D agrees with the Council’s recommendation, endorses the application to OSEC for final approval.

If the Usec for R&D disagrees with the recommendation of the Council, refers back the documents to the Council for re-evaluation.		Within 2 working daysOUSEC for R&D
Re-evaluates the application and submits recommendations to OUSEC for R&DWithin 2 working daysConcerned Council
Checks result of re-evaluation.

If the Usec for R&D agrees with the Council’s recommendation, endorses the application to OSEC for final approval.

If the Usec for R&D disagrees with the recommendation of the Council, refers back the documents to the Council for disapproval.		Within 2 working daysOUSEC for R&D
Approves/Disapproves application based on endorsement of the OUSEC for R&D and the concerned Council/sWithin 3 working daysDOST Secretary
2Receives notification on the result of the evaluation of applicationIf the Secretary disapproves the application, the concerned Council informs the host institution/ scientist of the decision.

If the Secretary approves the application, the concerned Council advises the BSP Awardee to make the necessary arrangements to return to the Philippines and informs the Awardee and host institution of the Secretary’s decision.		1-2 working daysBSP Secretariat of Concerned Council