Sixty-one researchers from 19 institutions across the country were trained on crops research and development (R&D) proposal packaging by the Philippine Council of Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The two-day proposal packaging workshop aims to equip researchers to package projects that are aligned with the Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA) of DOST-PCAARRD and its Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) priorities. Through the workshop, 14 concept proposals were pitched, and 11 detailed proposals were packaged and presented for evaluation. Five of which were tabled for immediate submission to the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS).
Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Leilani D. Pelegrina encouraged participants to develop projects that offer the highest return of public investment. Researchers were urged to package proposals that immediately deliver impacts and tangible outputs for the stakeholders.
CRD Assistant Director Sharie Al-Faiha A. Lubang highlighted the importance of packaging project proposals based on market pull or demand. She also expressed hope that the proposed projects would not only deliver technology and services but will also result in policy development under the expected outputs for a more enabling S&T policy environment.
Meanwhile, insights from CRD’s Monitoring and Evaluation Head Kristine Joy Panaligan-de Guzman on DOST Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Guidelines and M&E process provided valuable guidance to the researchers.
The participants were also walked through the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Pathways and the proposal submission process using DPMIS by Ms. Elena May N. Cabarrubias and Ms. Roscelia M. Lambio, respectively.
Feedback from CRD management and Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) managers contributed to enhancing the proposals by preventing duplication, aligning initiatives toward common goals, and strengthening inter-agency partnerships.
When asked for impressions about the activity, the proponents underscored the value of the comprehensive evaluation conducted by CRD, which enabled them to refine their proposals, clarify existing guidelines, and enhance collaboration with fellow researchers.
The proposal workshop was attended by the researchers from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Bureau of Plant Industry-Guimaras National Crop Research, Development, and Production Support Center (BPI-GNCRDPSC), University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Camarines Norte State College (CNSC), University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Benguet State University (BSU), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO V), DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office-Catanduanes (DOST-PSTO), Catanduanes State University (CatSU), De La Salle University (DLSU), University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPM), Davao de Oro State College (DDOSC), Caraga State University (CSU), University of Southern Mindanao (USM),President Ramon Magsaysay State University (PRMSU) and key staff from CRD, DOST-PCAARRD.